The Weekly 411 (4/17/26)
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| © Emily House |
April 17, 2026 vol 16
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 Emily House.
Publishing News
Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026: Agents and Rights Directors Talk Trends
So. . .How Can You Prove Your Work's Not AI-Generated?
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the wordless picture book, The Octopus, written and illustrated by Guojing (Two Lions), out on April. 22. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: A little girl goes to the beach with her mother, never expecting the day full of magic and wonder that is ahead of her. When she scoops up a tiny octopus in her small, clear container, and they see each other eye to eye, there’s a spark between them! But a little octopus cannot be happy for long in a container. So the girl sets out to discover what the octopus needs. And that’s when something truly magical happens! Soon, the little girl is on an underwater adventure with her new octopus friend, where she discovers the joy and beauty of the octopus’s world and learns how she can help take care of the ocean in her own way.
About Author-Illustrator: Guojing is a celebrated author-illustrator whose wordless and nearly wordless books The Flamingo, Stormy, and The Only Child were named to best-of-the-year lists by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and more. Her most recent books include the graphic novel Oasis, which received seven starred reviews, and the picture book The House That Floated. She holds a BFA from Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts and has also worked as a concept artist on games and in children’s television. Guojing grew up in China and now lives in Canada with her family. Learn more about the author at www.guojingart.com and follow her on Instagram @guojing.art.
Two-Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of two picture books by Katie Lee Reinert (two winners will be chosen): Emma Wasn't Ready illustrated by Nemo Takahashi (Lawley Publishing), out now, and Sloths and Their Moths, illustrated by Gabi Moraes (Tielmour Press). Enter to win these books via the widgets below.
About the Book: A sloth’s fur is full of life. Many small creatures live there, and each one plays an important part in the sloth’s world. Told in cumulative format, Sloths and their Moths zooms in to take a closer look at each part of the unique relationship between sloths, the moths that live on them, and so much more! Kids will discover each layer of this unique ecosystem, step by step, in a fun and educational way!
About the Author: Katie Lee Reinert is a picture book author who loves writing books about the magic of imagination that will inspire kids and make them laugh. She lives outside of Portland, Oregon with her family where she loves exploring new hiking trails in the summer and trying to stay dry in the winter. Her debut picture book, Ready to Smile Again, released in 2025.
About the Illustrator: Gabi Moraes is a Brazilian illustrator born in Campos do Jordão, a small city surrounded by nature. She's been doodling since she was a kid, and early in her career, she was thrilled to win the Jabuti Award in the Picture Book/Digital Children’s Book category, which fueled her passion to create more and more, reaching readers all around the world.
Sloths and Their Moths giveaway
About the Book: Emma has loved the book since the moment she first saw it and for each of the 21 days it has been hers. But now, the library wants it back. As she puzzles and plots to find a way to keep it, Emma discovers something she likes even more than reading her favorite book.
In this touching and humorous story about reading and friendship, library lovers will follow along with Emma's struggles as she learns that even though letting go is hard, it can also make room in your heart for something new.
About the Illustrator: Nemu Takahashi is an illustrator from Tokyo, Japan currently based in Alexandria, VA. As a child, she was obsessed with dinosaurs and her favorite activity was drawing them on pieces of paper. As a grown up, she keeps drawing lots of other things, animals and children are her favorite subjects in addition to dinosaurs. She is thankful for her sons who are her biggest fans and loves having her furry assistant Dr. Watson who keeps her feet warm while she is working.
Fixing Scenes That Don't Matter
April 22, 29, May 6, May 13 Kids Book Revisions Hangouts Join esteemed children's editors Emma Dryden, Eileen Robinson, and Harold Underdown in a series of informal Zoom hangouts where they answer revision questions and chat about revisions. (free)
How to Hire a Children's Book Illustrator
- What: $5000 grant for help with a WIP
- Who: children's or YA authors who have been traditionally published, whose work has been warmly received by literary critics, but have not generated significant sales
- Prize: $5000 grant
Marketing and Creating a Platform
Three great books to give away! And a super important article on AI. Thansk.
ReplyDeleteEver since I saw The Octopus featured on another blog I've been wanting to read it. I love learning about sloths which are my daughter's favorite animal. And I can completely relate to Emma already.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading these books! :-)
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