The Weekly 411 (2/20/26)
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| © Tammie Lyon |
Feb. 20, 2026 vol. 8
The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. We can also be found on Bluesky. This week's illustration is by Tammie Lyon.
Trade News Was Mixed in 2025, While Religion Sales Were Up
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Emily Saw a Door, by Mel Rosenberg, illustrated by Orit Magia (Random House Studio) out on Feb. 24. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: When Emily can't find a door that is right for her, she creates one of her own.
About the Author: Mel Rosenberg is a Canadian-born author, scientist and inventor. He is the founder and host of the Children’s Literature channel of the New Books Network. His three TED-Ed animations have received over 14 million views. Emily Saw a Door is his first North American picture book. Mel is represented by Liza Royce Associates.
About the Illustrator: Orit Magia is a children’s book author and illustrator celebrated for her whimsical visual storytelling and memorable characters. Her art brings emotion and depth to every scene she creates.
About the Book: From waking up and sliding on their knees to fading out of the spotlight as they get ready for their nighty night gig, join a diverse group of babies as they live it up rock ‘n’ roll style. This riff on the classic lullaby “Rock-A-Bye-Baby” follows the daily routine of a baby through the lens of different musical genres such as jazz, country, punk, and Latin American.
About the Author: David McMullin is a picture book author, illustrator, and children’s poet. His books include Free to Be Fabulous (HarperCollins), Rock 'n' Roll Baby (Penguin/Random House) and a soon-to-be-announced early reader series. His poems can be found in many magazines and anthologies. Honors include an SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, an Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest award, and Madness Poetry champion. David is a full time world traveler, bird nerd, and YouTuber. In past careers he was a Broadway actor, an educator, and a children’s librarian.
About the Illustrator: Allison Black is an illustrator and designer specializing in cute and colorful creations. She received her Bachelor’s of Fine Art at Syracuse University in 2008, and has now made Columbus, Ohio her home. She started her own stationery company, Hip Hip!, in 2015 and is experienced in creating artwork for fashion, homeware, stationery, and books.
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Feb. 24 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET Mastering the Flow: Writing Picture Books Rich in Rhythm and Read-Aloud Charm Great picture books are meant to be heard, not just read. But crafting text that sings is a very elusive skill for most writers - and a big reason many picture book manuscripts get rejected. The picture books children ask for again and again are the ones that sing — with rhythm, musical language and a natural flow that carries readers from the first page to the last. Mastering the Flow is a practical, craft-focused webinar designed to help you create picture book texts that sound beautiful out loud while still delivering a strong, clear story. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, rhyme or prose, you’ll come away with tools you can use immediately in your own manuscripts.
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Excited for this giveaway! The cover is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love that I can count Kid Lit to share new books with all of us!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read Emily Saw a Door since I first heard about it months ago. Rock 'n Roll Baby sounds energetic and fun.
ReplyDelete