The Weekly 411 (11/13/26)
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| © Brittanny Handiboe |
Nov. 13, 2026 vol. 45
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 Brittanny Handiboe.
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Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Mrs. Claus's Noodle Kugel: An Interfaith Story about Christmas and Hanukkah, by Janie Emaus, illustrated by Bryan Langdo (Sky Pony), out now. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: In Mrs. Claus’s Noodle Kugel, siblings Anna and Michael happily celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah—and this year, their two grandfathers, one Jewish and one Christian, are determined to cook each other’s favorite holiday noodle dish. But when friendly competition turns into cheerful chaos, help arrives from the most unexpected person on Santa’s Nice List.
While waiting for their grandpas, Anna and Michael receive a surprise text message—from Mrs. Claus herself—asking for more Jewish recipes to add to her famous cookbook. When the grandpas start bickering over noodle kugel and Christmas fettuccine, the kids jump in, send the grandfathers off to “set up” a video game, and start cooking on their own . . . until they realize they need backup.
In a whirlwind of flour, flying noodles, and gentle laughter, Mrs. Claus joins the fun, learning Yiddish cooking terms, helping the kids mix and stir, and turning the kitchen into a festive mess. Meanwhile, the grandpas discover that installing a video game is harder than cooking a holiday feast.
About the Author: Janie Emaus is the author of the first two books in this series Latkes for Santa Claus and Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls, and the novels The Advice Columnist and The Time Traveling Matchmaker. Her essays and stories have been published in numerous magazine, anthologies and websites. She resides in Winnekta, California where she celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas in winter and Passover and Easter in the spring. Her blended family is the inspiration for her stories.
About the Illustrator: Bryan Langdo has illustrated more than twenty-five books, including the first two books in this series, Latkes for Santa and Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls, as well as Animal Planet’s Zoo Camp Puzzle, Farm Friends Escape, Dolphin Rescue, and Puppy Rescue Riddle. He resides in Titusville, New Jersey.
Mrs. Claus's Noodle Kugel giveaway
Board Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the board book, Mama's Home (and Baby Too!): A Board Book for Expecting Families, by Dawn Babb Prochovnic, illustrated by Adèle Dafflon (Familius), out now. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: What’s a child to do when they’re missing mama? Get the house ready and eagerly wait for her to come home, of course. But when she finally appears, she comes with a surprise. A new sibling! There are plenty of reasons to miss mom, but missing her while she’s bringing a new life into this world is a unique and special experience. Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!) beautifully captures these emotions in a sweet poem from Dawn Babb Prochovnic. From eager anticipation and preparations for mama’s return, to sharing meals, playtime activities, and treasured routines, nothing can come between the extraordinary bond between mother and child.
About the Author: Dawn Babb Prochovnic is an early literacy consultant and the award-winning author of over 20 books for young readers. She has devoted her life’s work to initiatives that support literacy and the literary arts including early literacy enrichment programs, school and library author visits, creative writing workshops, and her educational blog. Prochovnic holds a master’s degree in organizational communication and lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, two kids, one cat, and a feisty dog.
About the Illustrator: Adèle Dafflon was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1985. She graduated in illustration at École Supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc de Liège in 2012 and began drawing birth announcement cards. Soon, she was contacted for individual and collective projects. Sharing a studio with four artists since 2018, she draws nature, animals, and insects in a colorful style with a dash of genuine humor.
Mama's Home giveaway
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Editors Ghost Too: The Reality of Editorial Responses and What to Do While You Wait
In the Green Room episode #4 with Mabel Hsu, Editorial Director at Sourcebooks is open for registration. Join author Rosie Nova and Mabel Hsu for an in-depth conversation about picture books, publishing, and what she’s looking to acquire. Mabel shared that she’s very actively acquiring picture books — and all registrants will receive an exclusive submission opportunity! Watch the trailer, see the details, and register here.
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