The Weekly 411 (3/20/26)

© Mirka Hokkanen

 March 20, 2026 vol. 12

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 Mirka Hokkanen.

Publishing News

Layoffs, Moves at Penguin Young Readers as Dial Imprint Shuttered

Writers are Vulnerable to Scams

Picture Book Giveaway

We are excited to feature a giveaway of the picture book, Others, by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Penguin Random House/ Ten Speed Readers), out March 31. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.

About the Book: You have to wonder what they’re thinking. 

The other people.

They’re not from here. They’re over there.

They’re different.

 

Standing by the hedge that divides them, two children wonder what the people on the opposite side are like. They're not like us, one child insists. The other child wonders: How are they different? Can they fly? Do they have tentacles? Are they machines? Or are they human? And if they are, do they think and feel? Maybe, just maybe, the people here and the people there are not so different after all.

 

About the Author: Kobi Yamada is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Do with an Idea?, Finding Muchness, Because I Had a Teacher, and many other bestselling, award-winning books. In addition to being the creator of inspiring books and products, he is also the president of Compendium. He lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest

 

About the Illustrator: Charles Santoso is the creator of Happy Hippo and has illustrated many books, including Finding Muchness by Kobi Yamada and the New York Times bestseller Odder. He lives in Singapore.

Others giveaway

Picture Book Giveaway

 

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration that Became Winnie-the-Pooh, by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Faith Pray (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers) out on March 31. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.

About the Book: In 1926, the very first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published. One hundred years later, generations of kids have grown up in the Hundred Acre Wood. How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration that Created Winnie-the-Pooh tells the story of how writer, illustrator, and editor came together to craft Pooh's first adventure. But deeper than that, this book introduces our youngest readers to how stories begin and where they can go. As Pooh's voice enters the text, he slowly comes to life in the art.

 

About the Author: Annette Bay Pimentel writes books for kids about the people and ideas that have shaped our world. When she’s not digging into archives or pounding away at her treadmill desk, she quilts, gardens, and helps administer her library as an elected Library Trustee. She lives in Moscow, Idaho.

 

About the Illustrator: Faith Pray is a Pacific Northwest author and illustrator. After a stroke left Faith struggling to find her writing words, she set out to tell stories through art as a form of therapy, and has since gone on to illustrate and write children’s books. She is a huge mystery nut, loves to go for hikes, learn new things, read books, and play with art. Faith lives with her husband, children, and a mischievous band of animals in Port Townsend, Washington.   

How a Bear Becomes a Book giveaway

 

For Writers

Kishōtenketsu Story Structure: What It Is, How It Works, and How It Compares to Western Plotting

The Seven Rules for Picking Names for Your Fictional Characters

Common Mistakes New Writers Make and How to Fix Them

Should You Tie Up Loose Ends in Your Story--Or Leave Them Open?

Freelance Editors & Critiques

The Picture Book Doctor (Dr. Ryan G. Van Cleave)

Marketing and Creating a Platform 

June 12-14  Marketing Mastery with The Storyteller's Shelf Podcast  Marketing your book shouldn't feel like guesswork. Join us for a live virtual event with practical strategies for book and author marketing. Q&A, networking, and raffles. Talks include: Creating a Digital Footprint, Publicity 101, Instagram 101, The Conference Toolbox, The Debut Year ($50).

Young Adult

Writing and Publishing for Teens Readers of YA books are some of the most passionate and influential audiences in today’s publishing landscape. Writing for these readers requires both creative skill and market awareness. YA books tackle important themes, memorable characters, and high-stakes emotions, making the category exciting for writers but also highly competitive. Writers hoping to break into the YA market need a clear understanding of what’s selling, what publishers are actively acquiring, and what obstacles they might need to face on their journey to publication.

 

Literary agent Maria Vicente will analyze current trends in the category, the tropes and themes that YA readers love, and the expectations agents and editors have when considering YA submissions. You’ll learn what defines a standout YA manuscript, how to navigate current market trends, and what you should include in a pitch to make your book stand out in a crowded category.

Writing Courses/ Poetry & Rhyme

Mar. 27. 7 pm EDT The Mechanics Behind the Magic: Writing Rhyming Picture Books with Author Renée M. LaTulippe In this craft workshop, Renée will focus on the technical skills needed to write successful rhyming picture books, including meter, rhyme, natural language, and solid story structure. Through examples and read-aloud demonstrations, participants will learn to recognize and fix common pitfalls like forced phrasing and weak rhymes. Writers will leave with practical revision strategies to make their manuscripts read-aloud ready.

 

Conferences, Workshops & Retreats

Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Big Sur on Cape Cod. For the past twenty-five years, Andrea Brown has brought this Workshop comprised of top tier professionals and new and seasoned writers together. Andrea is the Founder and President Emeritus of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, long recognized as one of the top agencies for children’s book writers and illustrators.This popular workshop fills quickly. Two industry professionals will mentor you in very small group sessions where one-on-one feedback is provided. Writers will get the chance to mingle and discuss their works with editors, agents, and published authors throughout the all-inclusive weekend. (Scholarship deadline is April 3)

(North Falmouth, MA)

Inspirational Things

Managing Writer's Block:How to Break Through With Positive Self Talk and Affirmations