Happy book birthday to Mauntie and Me (PB by Rajani LaRocca)
Along with new book deals and events across the country
Happy book birthday to MAUNTIE AND ME by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Nadia Alam (Candlewick)!
Publisher’s Description: “Every Saturday, when Priya's aunties and uncles and cousins come over, the other kids run off to play together, leaving Priya behind. But she doesn't mind, because she gets to have her favorite aunt, Mauntie--short for My Auntie--all to herself. Until, that is, her older cousin Aditi comes to visit and wants to share Mauntie's attention. Priya doesn't want to share--she wants things to go back to the way they were! With Mauntie's help, can she find a way to ease her feelings of jealousy and make room in their family duo for one more? Nadia Alam's artwork details a cozy home and a big, loving family in this sweet story by Rajani LaRocca of taming cousin rivalry that will appeal to anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out or struggled to share something precious.”
Buy the book at Bookshop.org and wherever books are sold.
(When you buy these books through our Bookshop, we receive a small commission on each sale.)
Cover reveal
New book deals
From the blog
Read and Create: Activities Inspired by Soaring ‘20s Books
Pigs Dig a Road
Written by Carrie Finison
Illustrated by Brian Biggs
Putnam, 2024
A rhyming picture book featuring pig construction workers that’s perfect for fans of Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site.
Construction crew chief Rosie and her team are building a new road to the Hamshire County Fair. It’s time to put on hard hats, grab hammers, and bring out the big trucks: bulldozers, excavators, pavers, rollers, and more!
Unfortunately, work with Rosie’s crew doesn’t always go as planned. Rosie is there to save the day, but she can’t do such a big job all by herself. There’s only one way to get the road done on time . . . teamwork!
Get more picture-book-based activities for kids here.
Welcome to our series, 20 QUESTIONS!
Where we answer questions about writing, reading, and author life.
(Note that we are moving to posting new content from this series to substack from our previous website. We’ve long enjoyed this series so we’ve decided to just keep the questions coming!)
This month’s question:
Which of your books do you wish got more attention from readers and reviewers?
“It's a shame that BING, BOP, BAM: Time To Jam! didn't get any trade reviews because it’s a book that I believe should be in pre-K to Grade 1 music classrooms across the country. I know that music teachers would take out accompanying instruments and read the book while having students chime in, shaking maracas or pounding a drum. Not only is this book appropriate for music classrooms, but it's great to teach about rhyme (literacy) and community (social studies).”
– Valerie Bolling, author of BING, BOP, BAM: Time To Jam, illustrated by Sabreda Khadija (Henry N. Abrams, 2023)
Click to read more about our books we wished got more reader and reviewer attention.
Mark your calendars...
Note: All events are in person unless otherwise indicated.
Massachusetts
December 14, 2024, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Newton Children’s Book Festival with Carrie Finison, New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA
December 15, 2024, 2 p.m.: Pigs Dig a Road Story Time & Book Signing with Carrie Finison, Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA
January 11, 2025, 10:30 a.m.: Pigs Dig a Road Story Time & Book Signing with Carrie Finison, Billerica Public Library, Billerica, MA
Virtual
January 15, 2025: Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey to create captivating nonfiction picture books that inspire and educate young readers? Join Kirsten W. Larson, author of Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book, for a foundational four-week course that will guide you every step of the way! Join the January cohort and enjoy 30% off plus two bonus, Q&A sessions, and a supportive Facebook group. Learn more.