The Weekly 411 (2/27/26)
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| © Ellen Weinstein (cover image for Five Stories, Holiday House) |
Feb. 27, 2026 vol. 9
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 Ellen Weinstein.
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway for the picture book, As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press). Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
To prepare him as he's about to take on the world, a mother shares her heartfelt wisdom that she hopes her child carries with him always―to embrace the world when it is kind, to know that he is worthy when the world is not, and to remember that her love will never waver.
About the Author: Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle is a writer, emeritus professor of child and adolescent development, and lifetime lover of books. She lives with her husband, son, and a cat named Pumpkin. In 2018, Stanford University GSE gave her the Alumni Excellence in Education Award. She is represented by Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency. She works with Sarah DeVore at How Now Booking Agency to schedule events.
About the Illustrator: David Wilkerson's love for art, storytelling, and community led him to study animation at the Savannah College of Art & Design and to earn an MA from the Academy of Art University. He has worked with Disney, Fox, PBS Kids, and LeBron James. He is represented by the Bright Agency.
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Disco Dave, by Jody Jesse Schaffer, illustrated by Yana Kodak (Magination Press). Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: Dave the walrus loves everything about disco: the sparkling lights, the booming beats, and all the funky dance moves he’s eager to try. But when he finally gets his moment on the dance floor, things do not go well. Crashes, slips, and every kind of tumble leave Dave feeling discouraged and unsure if he will ever keep up with the groove he loves so much. Just when he is ready to hang up his bell bottoms and platform shoes for good, something unexpected sends the entire disco community into an uproar. Dave realizes there may be another way to join the fun, one that fits him perfectly. This upbeat and humorous story helps children explore problem solving, confidence, and finding creative ways to participate when things don’t go as planned.
About the Author: Jody Jensen Shaffer is the author of Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story, The Last Day Julian was My Best Friend, Porcupine Had a Fuzzy Sweater, and It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus!, among others. Jody's books have won awards, been on state lists, and been translated into several languages. When she's not writing, Jody loves hanging out with family, her dog, and a good idea.
About the Illustrator: Yana Kozak is a children’s book illustrator from Ukraine. She earned a degree in journalism and worked for several years for newspapers and TV. For the past few years, she has been doing what she always dreamed of—illustrating children’s book full-time. Yana mainly works digitally in Procreate. She is inspired by her daughter, always trying to see the world through a child’s eyes. In addition to illustrating, Yana loves to read and has endless lists of books she wants to read one day.
apply now- March 13 Applications are NOW OPEN for the FREE PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program for picture book creators for the fifth and FINAL time! PB Rising Stars pairs up-and-coming picture book creators (text-only authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators) with experienced mentors to provide help and guidance along the turbulent publishing ladder. They are accepting both unagented and agented creators without agent-repped traditional picture book deals. The program runs for four months and is completely free. Read the eligibility requirements and FAQs. Apply to each mentor individually, and you can apply to as many as you want as long as you are eligible for the program.
Why and How to Avoid the Repetition of "I"
Conferences, Workshops & Retreats
Oct. 24-27 Better Books Marin: The Better Books Workshop, limited to fewer than 28 seasoned writers, is designed to provide deep immersion in craft. The schedule includes faculty master class sessions, group discussions, and a 30-40 minute faculty-led critique of 25 pages. (Menlo Park, CA)
Oct. 26 Rutgers One-on-One Conference The unique one-on-one format gives writers and illustrators a rare opportunity to share their work with an assigned mentor from the children's publishing world, whether it be an editor, agent, art director, or published author or illustrator. These professionals generously volunteer their time to not only critique the work of new and talented writers and illustrators, but also to share constructive information about the overall business of publishing. Every attendee is guaranteed a forty-five minute one-on-one manuscript or portfolio review session, and there are additional opportunities to network with our faculty members.
Marketing & Creating a Platform
The fact that there are disco picture books means that my demographic must now be grandparents. Don't remember any of the sort 30 years ago, which is a little surprising.
ReplyDeleteWonderful titles!
ReplyDeleteThese sound like wonderful books, each with an important universal message for readers.
ReplyDelete