Our clients are busy this summer, from giving keynotes, to teaching, to being featured in the press. Here’s what they’ve been up to and what’s coming up next…
NEW BOOKS
The highly acclaimed picture book biography RISE!: FROM CAGED BIRD TO POET OF THE PEOPLE, DR. MAYA ANGELOU from author Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel, comes out Aug. 13. Publisher’s Weekly said, “Rhythmic words render a rich snapshot of Maya Angelou’s remarkable rise from a little girl riding a train to an uncertain destiny in Stamps, Ark., to a revered poet invoking words to welcome a new president in Washington, D.C.” The book is a Junior Library Guild fall 2019 selection.
ONE DARK BIRD written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Fran Preston-Gannon was released on July 16 to a starred review from The Horn Book. The publication said ONE DARK BIRD is “a pleasure to look at and think about, this story and its inspiring sky-set dance can elicit new appreciation for the natural world.” The innovative counting picture book is a Junior Library Guild fall 2019 selection.
The second book in Carmen Oliver‘s Bear Buddy series with Capstone Books for Young Readers, BEARS MAKE THE BEST MATH BUDDIES, illustrated by Jean Claude, was released on July 1. Kirkus Reviews said the picture book “…effectively conveys the importance of math in everyday life. Adelaide and her buddy will help kids get the whole picture.”
PRAISE
EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Joshua Heinsz, received a starred review from School Library Journal.
VOYA called Mitali Perkins‘ FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU “unique and refreshing” in a starred review. The magazine said, “The third-person narrative perspective is as accessible as it is literary. Perkins, who was born in Kolkata, India, knows how to write fiction about serious issues such as trauma, healing, identity, cross-cultural service, and social justice. Her inclusive, diverse characters leap off the page with distinctiveness and relatability.”
APPEARANCES
School principals gathered to hear keynote speaker and Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander at the National Association of Elementary School Principals Prek-8 Conference in Spokane, Wash., on July 12.
Clients Don Tate, Bethany Hegedus, and Mitali Perkins presented to students at Oakland University this month, as part of a speaker series for the Masters of Teaching and Reading Language Arts.
Don Tate is also presenting at the Longwood Summer Literacy Institute on July 25-26.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation hosted Caldecott Medalist Javaka Steptoe at various branches throughout the city July 15-19. He also met readers during an evening event at the Africatown Center.
Typewriter Rodeo poets will be typing custom poems for attendees at the Sun Valley Writer’s Conference in Idaho on July 20-22.
A triple picture book launch at BookPeople in Austin, Texas, at 2pm on Aug. 10, will feature picture book authors Carmen Oliver, Kathi Appelt and Varsha Bajaj. They will be celebrating the releases of their books BEARS MAKE THE BEST MATH BUDDIES, MAX ATTACKS! and THE HOME BUILDERS, respectively.
Carmen Oliver will also partner with picture book author Bethany Hegedus and author/illustrator Salina Yoon to teach “The Ins and Outs of Picture Books and Its Many Forms” at The Highlights Foundation on Aug. 3-7.
IN THE PRESS
Mitali Perkins spoke with NBC journalist Lakshmi Gandhi about her experiences as an adoptive parent of twin sons and how her experiences informed her recently released YA novel FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU.
Ammi-Joan Paquette was featured in the Boston Globe “Helping young readers become lie detectors” article speaking about her TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE series.
BOOK DEALS
Tami Charles has been selected by Recorded Books to create the voiceover for the audiobook of her forthcoming young adult novel BECOMING BEATRIZ.
OTHER NEWS