The Weekly 411 (10/9/26)
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| © Natalya Logvanova |
Oct. 9. 2026 vol 40
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 Instagram and Bluesky. This week's illustration is by Natalya Logvanova.
"A delightful, fun addition to classroom collections featuring global foods and friendly rivalries." - School Library Journal
"A yummy belly-laugh of a story." - Kirkus Reviews
About the Author: Yewande Daniel-Ayoade is a Nigerian-Canadian author of stories that celebrate West African history and culture. She draws inspiration from her background as an immigrant and mum of five kids. Her book, The Little Regent won the 2025 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book award, and was nominated for the CYBILS award.
About the Illustrator: Bri-Marie McNish is a doctoral candidate in literature and a self-taught children's book illustrator and storyteller based in New England. She primarily works digitally, and uses brushes and palettes to evoke fairy tales and fables, as well as cozy moments of everyday life.
Dele and Aminata's Jollof War giveaway
Middle Grade Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade novel, Pesky Roots/ Raises Fastidiosas, by Jackie Garcia-Morales (Arte Público Press) out on Oct. 31. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
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| cover art by Amanda Romanick |
About the Book: At twelve, Izzy Rivera-Colón knows who she is. Not Ignacia, just Izzy. Like Elizabeth, the queen. In her Puerto Rican family, where all her cousins share the same names, she’s always been different. She’s rubia: her blonde, straight hair makes her special. But when Izzy moves from New York City to New Jersey, things get weird. At her new school, there are not one but five blonde Elizabeths in her class. Her hair doesn’t set her apart anymore. Apparently, being “Latina” does—and what exactly is that?
Just as Izzy starts to find her footing, puberty hits. Curls and pesky brown roots throw her life into chaos. Everything that made her feel like herself is disappearing… So who even is she? With help from her friends—Paddy, an animal-obsessed fact machine, and Laser, who’s more interested in snacks than people—Izzy will have to navigate a sea of Elizabeths to find herself.
About the Author: Jackie Garcia-Morales is a mixed Puerto Rican (Boricua) and neurodivergent author raised in New Jersey. Though she holds degrees in STEM, she works in publishing. She is the New Jersey State Ambassador for the United States Board on Books for Young People and a member of its Outstanding International Books Committee. Pesky Roots / Raíces Fastidiosas is Jackie’s debut middle grade novel, inspired by her own lived childhood experiences.
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4 p.m. - 6 p.m. PT/ 6pm-8pm ET Nov. 5, 2026 SCBWI California: San Francisco/South Webinar: Deep Dive into Discoverability for Illustrators. Join Scholastic Inc. Art Directors Brian LaRossa and Doan Buu and Random House Children's Books (Crown & Little Golden Books) Art Director Véronique Lefèvre Sweet as they share how illustrators can gain more visibility for their artwork. Got a book under your belt and not sure what comes next? Or are you still trying to find the best way to promote your illustrations in a saturated market? This webinar will explore everything from navigating new online hubs and traditional offline promos, to getting insight on what art directors look for when scouting both fresh and published talent. Expect a practical conversation on how to cut through the digital noise, refine your strategy, and make your work stand out where it actually counts. Live virtual presentation with Q&A. The session will be recorded and available to registered attendees. Option to purchase written portfolio critiques while supplies last. Register now for a deep dive into discoverability for illustrators!
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