The Soaring '20s Gift Guide

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By the Soaring ‘20s

When I was about twelve, I dove under the Christmas tree and hauled out three gift boxes heavy enough to contain coal. After peeling off the five or six layers of wrapping paper my Papi had delighted in double-sealing with Scotch-tape, I saw the Macy’s boxes and crossed my fingers. To my delight, Polaroid camera film filled one box and in the other two, about three month’s worth of nightmares. Stacks of Stephen King and John Saul novels, not coal, were the gifts that would feed my imagination for months.

The next holiday season, my parents thought it was time for me to choose my gifts, gave me cash, and released me into the mall expecting I’d come home with clothes and jewelry. To their horror, I came home with bags and bags of books from Barnes & Noble and was never trusted again to shop without supervision.

Don’t expect anything less of me now. I will never stop believing that books aren’t always the perfect gift for any occasion. So today, I am your Book Titi sharing with you all of the magical delights the creators of the Soaring ’20s have in store for you. And bonus! They have paired their books with all sorts of theme-related goodies for your children to enjoy, with shopping links for your convenience.

We Soarers are so grateful for your support of our work and for the absolute gift of being able to create for children. We wish you and your family safety, peace, love, and joy—now and always.

— NoNieqa Ramos, author of YOUR MAMA, forthcoming April 6, 2021

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SOAKED! by Abi Cushman

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SOAKED!, signed copy, Bank Square Books Bookstore

Kids’ Puddle Stompers, L.L. Bean

Custom Child Hula-Hoop, Hoops & Company

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INVENT-A-PET by Vicky Fang, illustrated by Tidawan Thaipinnarong

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INVENT-A-PET signed copy (leave comment at checkout), Lindentree Books Bookstore

Felt Friends Stickers, Melissa & Doug

Plushie fish, Stuffed Safari

Free Activity Sheet

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CLYDE THE HIPPO series by Keith Marantz, illustrated by Larissa Marantz

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CLYDE THE HIPPO signed series set, Tiddlywinks Toys

Mellow Mallow Hippo Stuffed Animal, Tiddlywinks Toys

Butterfly Garden, Tiddlywinks Toys

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NO FUZZBALL! by Isabella Kung

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NO FUZZBALL!, Bookshop link

No Fuzzball! Vinyl Sticker sheet, Etsy

No Fuzzball! Totebag, Etsy

Cat ear and tail costume set, Etsy

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LOUIS by Tom Lichtenheld, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch

LOUIS, Bookshop link

Crescent Moon Lamp, Crate and Kids

Free crochet pattern for baby piggie booties, Croby Patterns

Sheet set with cloud motif, Temple and Webster

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LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS by Joana Pastro, illustrated by Jhon Ortiz

LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS, Bookshop link

Music Box, Etsy

Kid’s Apron and Chef Hat, Etsy

Laptop Cover and Pencil Case, Etsy

Sponge Cakes Craft, The Craft Train

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SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA by Candy Wellins, illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan

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SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA, Bookshop link

Toy record player, Fat Brain Toys

Fleece dinosaur hat, Etsy

Felt cinnamon rolls, Etsy 

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THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO HIDE-AND-SEEK by Kjersten Hayes, illustrated by Gladys Jose

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THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO HIDE-AND-SEEK, Bookshop link

Elephant stuffed animal, the San Diego Zoo

Pipe Cleaners to make glasses for your elephant, Launching Success Toy Store

Tickets to a local zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley

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DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, Bookshop link

Play Felt Doughnuts, Etsy

Cat Donut Memory Match Game, Mud Puppy

Doughnut Baking Pan and Mix, Stonewall Kitchen

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SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH By Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, Bookshop link

Gold Hula Hoops, Etsy

Binary Math Toy, Target

Mandala Coloring Book, Thriftbooks

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MUSLIM GIRLS RISE: INSPIRATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF OUR TIME by Saira Mir, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

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MUSLIM GIRLS RISE, Bookshop link

Ibtihaj Barbie, Mattel

Illuminated Globe for Kids, Child’s Play

Ultimate Fudge Brownie Recipe, Amanda Saab

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NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley, illustrated by Bradley

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NO VOICE TOO SMALL, Bookshop link

Megaphone Speaker Lightweight Bullhorn, Pyle

Speaker of the House T-shirt, Etsy

MARCH: A Journal for Activism, Bookshop link

Mari Copeny Kid Activist Doll, Lottie

Magnetic Poetry Little Box of Strength, Magnetic Poetry

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DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT by Angela Burke Kunkel, illustrated by Paola Escobar

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DIGGING FOR WORDS, Bookshop link

Toy recycling truck, Green Toys

Waves and sun bookends, Etsy

Kids’ Little Prince T-shirt, Out Of Print

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FARMERS UNITE! PLANTING A PROTEST FOR FAIR PRICES by Lindsay H. Metcalf

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FARMERS UNITE!, Bookshop link

Little Pal Steel 8-1/4 in. W x 27 in. L Mini Round Point Shovel Wood Handle, Ace

Pizza Garden, Backyard Safari Co

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THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE: HOW ONE WOMAN’S WORDS MADE HISTORY by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger

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THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE, Signed, personalized copies from Print: A Bookstore

Cotton canvas tote bag, Print: A Bookstore

VOTE LIKE A MOTHER merchandise, Vote Like A Mother

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BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST By Lindsay H. Metcalf, illustrated by Junyi Wu

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BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, Bookshop Link

Take-it-anywhere microscope, Lakeshore Learning

Oyster mushroom kit, A Mighty Girl

Nancy B’s mighty microbes lab and gem journal, Rainbow Resource Center

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WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: EMMA LILIAN TODD INVENTS AN AIRPLANE By Kirsten W. Larson, illustrated by Tracy Subisak

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WOOD, WIRE, WINGS, Bookshop Link

Guillo’s airplane design studio, Fat Brain Toys

200 paper airplanes to fold and fly, My Pilot Store

Lego Heartlake City airplane set, Lego

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CLARINET & TRUMPET By Melanie Ellsworth, illustrated by John Herzog

(pre-order for delivery in March 2021)

CLARINET AND TRUMPET, Bookshop link

CD: Can you hear it? The Met store

Trumpet ornament, Etsy

Clarinet ornament, Etsy

Donate your old instrument to a child or local music group, Hungry for Music

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HOW TO WEAR A SARI By Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

(pre-order for delivery in June 2021)

HOW TO WEAR A SARI, signed copies from Hicklebee’s

Indian doll clothes, Etsy

Kid-size bangles, Etsy

DIY handmade paper doll sari craft, Skill Flair

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HOW TO WEAR A SARI: Interview and Cover Reveal!

By NONIEQA RAMOS

The Soaring ‘20s are thrilled to host the cover reveal of Darshana Khiani’s debut picture book, HOW TO WEAR A SARI! 

Darshana Khiani

Darshana Khiani, a mom to two darling girls, is a computer engineer by day and writer by night. She makes every hour of the day count! Her literary career began with her children’s book review site and blog Flowering Minds, where she interviewed authors, kept a book report diary, and compiled reading roundups of South Asian picture books, middle grade books, and young adult literature. She has spent more than a decade working on the We Need Diverse Books Campaign, reviewing and promoting inclusive children’s literature that reflects our world. I am so hyped to interview my Versify sibling about her debut picture book HOW TO WEAR A SARI, which is set to release June 22, 2021!

Darshana, your debut picture book, HOW TO WEAR A SARI, sparkles with playfulness, humor, and joy. Kids will love this delightful story about a little girl who plays dress-up to prove how grown-up she is. Parents will chuckle over the hilarious results.  What inspired you to tell this story?

In the fall of 2016, I was planning out my outfits for the upcoming Diwali holiday season. I love the elegance of saris, but I was bemoaning how I never got the hang of wearing one. Then I wondered what it would be like if a young Indian girl wanted to play dress-up with her mom’s sari. *lightbulb* I knew I had a story. While many books depict playing dress-up with Western formal wear, there were none with a sari. And while there are a handful of sari books, I wanted this to be fun, light-hearted, and cheery like Fancy Nancy or the Birdie books. I wanted to show the universal themes of wanting to be older and dressing up but with South Asian flair.

Please tell us about your pre-publication journey. How did you feel when you signed with Kwame Alexander’s imprint Versify?

When I was a kid, I dreaded English class. It was my hardest subject. However, I always enjoyed creative writing assignments. They were my favorite. But seeing as I didn’t like writing essays and term papers, I pursued engineering in college. Fast forward 20 years, and I’m reading stacks and stacks of picture books to my kids and loving it. I began studying the craft of writing, joined SCBWI, took classes, attended conferences, and immersed myself into everything kidlit. After seven years, in the spring of 2018, I received the wonderful news from my agent that Versify wanted to buy HOW TO WEAR A SARI. I spoke to Kwame and my editor, Erika. I loved hearing their enthusiasm and that our visions for the story matched.         

Can you describe your revision process as you strove to bring HOW TO WEAR A SARI to the beautiful work of art it is today?

Thank you for those kind words. 😊 I started this story in the fall of 2016 and only went through 11 revisions and was in polished state by the summer of 2017. That’s quite fast for me. Most of my stories take at least two years or longer. This came well-formed from the beginning in terms of the voice and plot line. I usually do a few revisions on my own to make sure all the major pieces and vision of the story are there before sending it to my critique group. The aspect that took the longest to nail was the heart for the story. “Why did she want to wear a sari?” Once the big picture items are in place, I’ll put the story into a storyboard format so I can see all the spreads on one sheet of paper. This helps me with pacing, word repetition, and seeing the number of words on each spread.   

The illustrations are fresh, whimsical, and charming. What was it like collaborating with illustrator Joanne Lew-Vriethoff? How did you feel when you saw the final product?

As is the case in many picture book projects, I didn’t have any contact with Joanne. All communications went through my editor, Erika Turner, and book designer Natalie Fondriest. This book is bursting with energy and color thanks to Joanne and Natalie.  When I saw the first full sketch dummy. I was BLOWN away. Joanne made my spunky, fun-loving girl into a fully formed person with a personality. I loved the girl’s expressions and movement. I also really appreciated how Joanne used a variety of brown skin tones for the characters and included a mixed-race family.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book? 

I want kids to know that desire to show grownups you can do older things is a universal feeling. There will be fun moments and mistakes, but that’s all part of the experience. With the ending, I wanted kids to see that everyone young and old has flop moments, too. So keep on striving!

On what other projects are you working?

Truthfully, the writing has been a bit slow with everything that’s going on in the world. I’ve been leaning into family time, learning more about anti-Blackness in the South Asian community and engaging in the ongoing conversations with family and friends.

I am polishing up a picture book on compassion, which I’m excited about as it is near and dear to my heart. I have another picture book under contract, but it hasn’t been announced yet. Stay tuned. 😉

And now… the Grand Reveal! 

As we get closer to Darshana’s publication date, please stay tuned for details on her launch. Check out her website for details on forthcoming interviews, panels, and workshops. Be sure and add HOW TO WEAR A SARI on Goodreads! 

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Darshana Khiani is a computer engineer by day and a children’s writer by night. She is a second-generation Indian American and enjoys writing funny, light-hearted stories with a South Asian backdrop. When she isn’t working or writing she can be found hiking, skiing, or volunteering. Darshana lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters. You can find her online at:

Website: www.darshanakhiani.com
Twitter: @darshanakhiani
Instagram: @darshanakhiani

NoNieqa Ramos is an educator who wrote THE DISTURBED GIRL’S DICTIONARY, a 2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens, a 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, and a 2019 In the Margins Award Top Ten pick. Hip Latina named THE TRUTH IS in its “10 of the Best Latinx Young Adult Books of 2019.”  Remezcla included TTI in the “15 Best Books by Latino and Latin American Authors of 2019.” Versify will release her debut picture books BEAUTY WOKE on January 1, 2021, and YOUR MAMA on April 6, 2021. NoNieqa is a proud member of The Soaring 20s and Las Musas. You can find her online at:

Website: https://nonieqaramos.com/
Twitter: @NoNieqaRamos
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50986523-your-mama
Instagram: @nonieqa.ramos/
Las Musas: https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/nonieqa-ramos.html

20 Questions: Publishing Surprises

By Elisa Boxer and Kjersten Hayes

Welcome back to our series, 20 QUESTIONS!

This is the place where we here at the Soaring ‘20s answer questions about our picture-book process.

With just two months to go until our debut year, today’s question is:

What’s been the most surprising part of your pre-publication journey?

Melanie Ellsworth

Melanie Ellsworth, author of CLARINET AND TRUMPET: “I think it’s the fact that it’s actually possible to write a picture book and get it published. Years ago, I thought that was just a dream — a possibility only for the very lucky and the inordinately talented. But somewhere along the journey, I figured out that while luck and talent are factors, commitment to your craft, perseverance in the face of continual rejection, and support from your peers are far more important.”

Susan Kusel

Susan Kusel, author of THE PASSOVER GUEST: “Crying. I have cried a lot. They’re happy tears but they keep catching me off guard. I’ve been working on this project for so long. Every time I see it get a step closer to an actual book, it’s a very emotional experience. I cried when I first saw a piece of art from the professional illustrator of something I had made up in my head. I cried when I signed my contract. I even cried when I saw the book had an actual ISBN. I’m going to need tissues when I see the final book!”

Kelly Baptist

Kelly Baptist, author of THE ELECTRIC SLIDE AND KAI: “My patience! Since this is a picture book, I imagined that I would be chomping at the bit to see the illustrations. Instead, (while I have been eagerly awaiting the draft pictures) I have made it a point to stay busy with next projects, etc., so that when there are updates, they are pleasant surprises!”

Kelly Carey

Kelly Carey, author of HOW LONG IS FOREVER: “I never thought that what seemed like such a solitary, stay-at-home career, would offer so much comradery. The long journey to publication has given me time to gather an amazing circle of writing friends and colleagues. I have always loved writing, but now I love my writing community too!”

Kjersten Hayes, author of THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO HIDE-AND-SEEK: “After years of experiencing all the roller coaster hard parts of the industry, I am constantly surprised and amazed that none of it has yet seemed to affect my love of actually making the work. I just love making stories and art for kids. Despite all the hard stuff, the work delights me.“

Rob Justus

Rob Justus, author/illustrator of KID COACH: “I guess my biggest surprise since getting my first book contract has been how much freedom I’ve had in crafting my story, especially with my illustrations and layout. I was expecting so many more comments and critiques. I guess I was lucky in providing the editor and art director with what they were looking for.”

Mary Wagley Copp

Mary Wagley Copp, author of WHEREVER I GO: “The most surprising part has been how much work I feel I have to put into getting ready for publication: business cards, website, planning a launch party and bookstore launch, staying up to date with debut group postings, thinking about school visits! On and on. But I realize that this is all part of getting the book into the world and supporting the work of fellow authors!”

Rajani LaRocca

Rajani LaRocca, author of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: “The most surprising part has been REALLY internalizing that a book needs to find the right home, that rejections are not a reflection on me or my writing, and that patience is the best quality to have in the world of publishing.”

Hope Lim

Hope Lim, author of I AM A BIRD: “Every part of the journey requires more waiting and patience than I had imagined.”

Angela Burke Kunkel

Angela Burke Kunkel, author of DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSE ALBERTO GUTIERREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT: “The most surprising part has been a new understanding of time! There are long stretches between the offer, signing the contract, different rounds of edits, and just about every other benchmark. I’ve tried to give in to how time moves in the publishing industry and relish the process, from big moments to small.”

Julie Rowan-Zoch

Julie Rowan-Zoch, illustrator of LOUIS: “I suppose the biggest surprise for me has been that recognizing a great (or bestselling) manuscript is as much a shot-in-the-dark calculation for myself and my critique partners as it is for an editor or agent. Starting out, I imagined editors would just know what would sell at first sight. But they have no more super powers than we do!”

Qing Zhuang

Qing Zhuang, illustrator of HOW LONG IS FOREVER: “It was a pleasant surprise to work with such kind editors. It took me several years to break into publishing and I had imagined that editors would be rather cold and ruthless. My editors expect high quality and professionalism but they are also supportive, warm and wise.”

Vicky Fang

Vicky Fang, author of INVENT-A-PET: “I’m surprised (and excited!) every time I see updates on my book! It’s such a treat and I’m always re-invigorated when I see the amazing work my editor/illustrator/designer/team have done.”

Kirsten W. Larson

Kirsten W. Larson, author of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: EMMA LILIAN TODD INVENTS AN AIRPLANE: “It takes many hands to make a book! Creating picture books isn’t solitary, but involves working with critique partners, agents, editor, art director, book designer, and marketing staff. Every person helps make the book the best it can be and helps it reach a reader who can fall in love with it.”

NoNieqa Ramos

NoNieqa Ramos, author of BEAUTY WOKE: “One surprise for me was how much I have been included in the artistic decisions for illustrations. I am grateful, but find it a tiny bit terrifying. All my years at conferences taught me I would have no input into the process. I even heard illustrators say they found author input to be an infringement on their interpretation of the work. It’s a new learning curve for me.”

Lindsay H. Metcalf

Lindsay H. Metcalf, author of FARMERS UNITE! and co-editor of NO VOICE TOO SMALL: “I never imagined how connected I would feel to the publishing industry, living in rural Kansas, but even my agent and one of my editors work from home. There’s so much opportunity to learn and collaborate online. And I’ve formed true friendships with people I’ve never met in person.”

Joana Pastro

Joana Pastro, author of LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS: “No publishing experience is the same. There’s no use in trying to compare timelines, order of events, or milestones. A Publishers Weekly deal announcement might come in three, nine, or twenty-two months. Some learn their illustrators before a contract is even signed, while others don’t know for over a year.“

Carrie Finison

Carrie Finison, author of DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS: “One surprise for me is how incredibly humbling it is to realize the hours and hours that an illustrator has lavished upon my story to bring it to life. I was thrilled when my publisher selected Brianne Farley, and even though we didn’t communicate directly, I was lucky enough to get some glimpses into her process through posts on Instagram. It hadn’t occurred to me just how many details an illustrator would have to think through about my story that I didn’t have to consider as a writer.”

Candy Wellens

Candy Wellins, author of SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA: “I’ve heard other authors express disappointment with how the art turned out for their books. As a writer, it can be challenging when your vision does not match the illustrator’s. And even authors who like the end result are dismayed with how different it is from what they had imagined. So the most surprising part of my journey so far is how pleased I am with the art for my book.”

Abi Cushman

Abi Cushman, author/illustrator of SOAKED!: “The warm welcome of the kidlit community. Four years ago, when I first started, I viewed publication as an individual pursuit. I never would have imagined the strong kinship I now share with other authors and illustrators. We really do bolster each other up.”

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Now… Over to you! Wherever you are on the picture book journey, what’s been the most surprising part for you? Leave a comment and let us know!