Our clients have new books, starred reviews and more announced this past month, but it’s not every day we get to reveal that one of our clients has launched a new imprint!
Congratulations to author Cynthia Leitich Smith who is heading up the new imprint Heartdrum at HarperCollins, along with HarperCollins Children’s Books VP and Editorial Director Rosemary Brosnan. Heartdrum will focus on “innovative, unexpected, and heartfelt” stories by Native creators, according to the press release. “Now is the time for positive, heartening change in the form of resonant representation across all age markets and formats. We have life-affirming, page-turning stories to share,” said Cynthia, an award-winning and New York Times best-selling author who’s also from Muscogee Creek.
NEW BOOKS AND MORE
Author-illustrator Salina Yoon‘s new picture book KIKI AND JAX: THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP, co-written by Marie Kondo, is now out, along with the latest picture book from author-illustrator Jessixa Bagley, HENRY AND BEA.
PADDINGTON’S POST written by Michael Bond and illustrated by R.W. Alley, is now available from HarperCollins in the UK and US. Paddington Bear’s adventures in London continue in this book with six envelopes inside for readers to hear from his family and friends. These include Paddington’s first letter to Aunt Lucy, a half-price voucher for his favorite buns, a very special birthday card—and more!
Plus, PADDINGTON STORYBOOK FAVORITES written by Michael Bond and illustrated by R.W. Alley includes a collection of six classic stories. Paddington’s nose for adventure leads him into one sticky situation after the next. But with a little curiosity, the best of intentions, and a marmalade sandwich to spare, this beloved bear is a story-time favorite. Complete with a sticker sheet, this treasured collection is wonderful fun for all readers.
Penny Parker Klostermann’s award-winning picture book THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT now has pajamas! A bedtime story with pajamas to match? It’s a dream come true! The pajamas are sold separately or as a set with the book.
BOOK DEALS
Don Tate will illustrate a new picture book series by Sherri Duskey Rinker, author of the GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE series. Bought at auction, the new series ROTO & ROY: HELICOPTER HEROES follows the adventures of a heroic helicopter and her pilot. Little, Brown has set publication for spring 2021 for the first book and sing 2022 for the second.
Disney-Hyperion has acquired world rights to the picture book RED BIG, written by David Elliott. The exploration of colors and birds will be illustrated by Evan Turk. Publication is set for spring 2022.
AWARDS AND STARS
Lamar Giles‘ new book NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE has received three starred reviews! The young adult book coming January 2020 from HarperTeen follows a boy who joins a church youth group to get close to his crush, only to find out he has to take a “Purity Pledge.” School Library Journal wrote: “Without being didactic, this story explores expectations around gender roles and calls out toxic behaviors that even ‘good guys’ are guilty of.” Publishers Weekly said, “With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality.” And Kirkus called the book “appealing and thought-provoking.”
The latest picture book biography written by Bethany Hegedus, RISE! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou, received a lovely New York Times review. The newspaper said, “Bethany Hegedus honors Maya Angelou’s life through thoughtful, empathetic poems.”
Both the picture book FREEDOM SOUP and the YA novel BECOMING BEATRIZ written by Tami Charles have earned a place on the Kirkus Best Books of 2019 list.
Mitali Perkins‘ books are getting lots of attention! Her young adult novel YOU BRING THE DISTANT NEAR by is a 2019-2020 Louisiana Teen Reader’s Choice Nominated Titles Grades 9-12, and her newer YA FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU is one of five recommended YA titles at AASL’s Knowledge Quest. Also, her debut picture book BETWEEN US AND ABUELA is one of Book Riot’s Must-Read Books about Children and Family and a Best Children’s Books of 2019 as Chosen by Booksellers.
APPEARANCES
Carmen Oliver will be a guest lecturer for The Writing Barn’s picture book intensive A River of Words with author Melissa Sweet, Eerdmans Acquisitions & Managing Editor Kathleen Merz and Curious City’s Kirsten Cappy. The workshop is Feb. 20-23.
On Dec. 7, 2:15-3:15pm, Zoë Alley and R.W. Alley will present together at the Association of Rhode Island Authors Book Expo in Cranston, Rhode Island. They will discuss making books for children from both the creative and the business perspective. The Expo is the largest of its kind in New England with over 135 author tables and some 1,500 attendees. Last month, the couple appeared at OgunquitFest in Maine, and there was a record-breaking turnout.
Mitali Perkins has been invited to award the Kirkus Prize as a judge. Mitali also appeared at the 2019 National Book Festival: Finding Their Voices.
IN THE PRESS
Also the work of illustrator R.W. “Bob” Alley is on display at the 30th Annual Children’s Illustration Celebration at R. Michelson Gallery in Northampton, Maine, through January 2020. Bob was interviewed by the local NPR affiliate about the exhibit.