Two Perfect Picture Books!

Millie Fleur Saves the Night, by Christy Mandin

From the publisher, Scholastic Press: available July 1, 2025

Garden Glen was afraid of the dark.

Each night when the sun went down, all the lights in town turned on. The houses shone like the noon sun. Every house except for MIllie Fleur La Fae's, of course.

Millie Fleur knows there are enchanting things that can only be glimpsed in the dark. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found.

Determined to welcome the dark back to town, Millie Fleur bakes delicious moon pies and plants a sweet-smelling moon garden. But before the nighttime creatures will return, Millie Fleur must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights. 

I don’t think I can say enough about Millie Fleur. Loved the first book, Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, and loved this one, too.

She’s brave, inspiring, smart and hopeful – she’s a teacher in her community.

The illustrations are beautiful, creative, and amusing.

It reminds me a bit of the animated film, Monsters, Inc. where we can see how easy it is to be afraid of the dark, but getting to know the monsters and that they aren’t that scary, allows us to be more knowledgeable and less afraid. I wish I could buy all those plants – from both books.

Learning more about night creatures made me feel a bit badly about my solar yard lights, even though I love them so. I hope they’re not too bright for the night bugs and animals.

We can all learn a thing or two from Millie and you don’t even know she’s doing it. So fun! And, I heard there’s a book three on the way!

Little Big Man by Varian Johnson, Reggie Brown (illustrator)

From the publisher, Scholastic Press: available May 6, 2025

Elijah can't wait to take his brand-new kite for its first flight! But Daddy comes home with some bad news... he has to work this weekend. After all, a new baby means extra work for everyone. Can Elijah step up and be a little big man at home while Daddy's gone?

Beloved children's book author, Varian Johnson, stresses the importance of stepping up and helping out... and making sure to have time to play at the end of the day

This beautiful book shows a strong role model in both father and son, and a family story.

Elijah learns what growing up and being responsible means. Elijah is allowed to figure out what that means to him and how it manifests in his work. Elijah also sees how to have fun and the importance of that and having family time.

The father’s storyline and Elijah’s storyline parallel each other. They work hard and then they can play hard. Thoughtful and empowering and thoroughly adorable, if a book could be a hug, I think this might be it.

Just in time for school! Two wonderful picture books.

Apparently, I missed last month. I thought I had written blurbs for these two books, but alas, I did not. So here they are - two absolutely unique and fantastic books. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. One book is out and the other is out in October. 

When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore Illust. By Robert Paul Jr.

From the Publisher: Scholastic, October 2024

You have within you infinite promise. How big will YOU dream? This striking companion to I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams celebrates Black female achievement and is perfect for fans of I Am Enough, Little Leaders, and She Persisted.

I AM dope!

My crown shines bright

in all its glory.

When I dream big,

I can do anything!

In this inspiring tribute to Black girl pride and excellence, a young child discovers her place in a radiant heritage. As she meets twelve extraordinary Black women-historic and contemporary heroines who have blazed a trail for her own future success-she internalizes their strength and sets out to change the world in her own way.

Just like them, she can reach her dreams. And just like her, you have within you big promise. YOU are Black Girl Magic. How will you shine YOUR light?

Another beautiful and colorful book from Tanisia Moore and Robert Paul Jr. Bringing heroines, past and present, to demonstrate that the main character can do anything and be anything. From Harriett Tubman to Angela Bassett, from Jacqueline Woodson to Serena Williams. Trailblazing women. This is just as inspiring as I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams.

Not only does it highlight these remarkable 12 women, but also it shows the kids helping in their community and giving back.

There is back matter with paragraphs on all the ancestors listed in the book, a note from the author and a note from the artist.

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin

From the publisher: Scholastic, July 2, 2024

Garden Glen is a very bland place. Every house and every garden looks exactly like the other. That is... until Millie Fleur La Fae comes to town.

Up on a scruffy hill, beside a ramschackle house, Millie Fleur plants her marvelously strange garden, filled with Sneezing Stickyweed, Fanged Fairymoss, and Grumpy Gilliflower. Millie Fleur finds it enchanting, but the townspeople of Garden Glen call it poison!

But Millie Fleur is proud of her beloved little garden. So if some townspeople want to be sticks in the mud, she'll take matters into her own hands and find the kindred spirits who appreciate everything the garden has to offer.

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden is a reminder to embrace everything that makes us wonderfully weird. Perfect for readers of The Creepy Carrots and fans of the Addams Family movies.

Unique and different books are so fun. This is one of them. Embracing different isn’t always easy – but if you’re open to it, then you open up a new world to enjoy. I love the plant names and the illustrations, the play on words, the way Millie’s idea of a garden grows when shared.

The frog, Wart T. Wigglebottom reminds me of the Warner Bros. cartoon, Michigan J. Frog. He is a supporter and companion to Millie.

There are some cool plant facts at the back, as well as, where The Poison Garden really exists!

Both of these books are excellent reading material. 

3 Upcoming Picture Books - Fall 2023

I Am My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore Illustrated by Robert Paul Jr.

From the Publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023

YOU are your ancestors’ wildest dreams. How will you express YOUR greatness? This electrifying anthem to Black boy joy and pride is perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing, Little Legends, and All Because You Matter.

I am fly.

From my crown

down to the kicks

on my feet...

I AM my ancestors' wildest dreams.

In a story that sizzles and soars, a young child discovers his place in a distinguished lineage. As he meets ten exceptional Black men ― historical and contemporary heroes who have paved the way for his own future success ― he internalizes and asserts their greatness. Just like them, he can reach his dreams. And just like him, you have within you big potential.

This is a colorful and accessible book that kids will love. They will easily relate to the set of modern heroes like Chadwick Boseman, Tupac, John Lewis, and Kobe Bryant. The theme of reaching for your dreams no matter what they are, aligns with the different types of heroes. You can be anything and fulfill a destiny greater than you ever imagined. Standing on the shoulders of all who came before, fulfilling their dreams, you can continue the legacy.

There is backmatter with paragraphs on all the ancestors listed in the book, a note from the author and a note from the artist.

All We Need is Love and a really soft pillow! By Peter Reynolds and Henry Rocket Reynolds

From the publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023

A tender and timeless tale about what truly matters: LOVE -- from creative visionary of The Word Collector, Happy Dreamer, and The Dot, #1 New York Times bestseller Peter H. Reynolds!

Poppy: All we need is love.

Little One: And a pillow.

Poppy: Yes, a pillow, but that is all we need.

This heartfelt celebration of love follows Poppy and Little One as they discuss all the things they need in life like a really good pillow or a roof over their heads but most important of all, love. Despite the challenges they face as a storm sweeps away their home, this duo never lose their optimism because in the end they know that all they truly need is love . . . and each other.

This tender, wholly original tale of all the ways we express and share love, from our most celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds, is a needed comfort and a new classic that will offer reassurance to readers of every age.

This is such a sweet book and I just wanted to cuddle the little creatures in it. The relationship between a dad and his child and how they relate, dream, and ultimately know that as long as they have each other, they’ll be okay. What starts with just needing a really soft pillow, grows into a house, water, chocolate, a toilet, until they have a nice little homestead to call home. But when a storm comes and takes it all away, they are left with each other again, just as they started out. With so many different kinds of tragedies that change our lives, the basic need of being alive with our loved ones, stands above all the other needs. And knowing that you can begin again. And again.

Seals Are Jerks! By Jared Chapman

From the publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023

Seals are Lorelei's favorite animal: they're so cute and cuddly and best buddies with penguins. Well... that's what she thought before learning the ugly truth — some seals EAT penguins! She doesn't want to believe it at first, but she drags Penguin, the classroom guest, and seal whistleblower, to Antarctica to prove Penguin wrong and confront Seal face-to-face. And Seal finally reveals the truth.

This is a story about when you first realize and understand that nature is not all cute and cuddly. Some of it is life and death, eat or be eaten, survival of the fittest. It’s done in a fun and entertaining way as Lorelei presents her nature project only to hear that her favorite seals may not be what she thought. She takes an impromptu trip to Antarctica and learns the truth for herself. And she introduces PB&J to the seals and penguins, too.

It's a good comparison to human characteristics – we all have faults but we’re not always the sum of our faults. We have good qualities, too, and we can accept both good and bad - in ourselves, our family and our friends.  

There is backmatter with Antarctica facts.  

Twofer this month: First up, picture books about the sun

This month there are two posts! This first one is about STEM books for kids. The second post on April 15, is an author interview, book blurb, with a chance to win a copy! I'm excited to be on this blog tour. You don't want to miss all these incredible books.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star (Skytime) Board Book by Elizabeth Everett (Author), Beatriz Castro (Illustrator)

From the publisher: Science, Naturally! An Imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, Feb 2023

How I wonder what you are… the Sun, our most important star!

We see the Sun every day. When we wake up, it rises with us. During the day, it gives us light and keeps us warm. But the Sun is just a star and there are billions of others. So why is this one so important?

A science lesson wrapped in a familiar rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star introduces children to the many ways the Sun affects our world, from small things we experience every day on planet Earth, to the way our entire solar system functions.

Readers discover how this one special star affects Earth's orbit and rotation, day and night, the changing seasons, the length of a year, the lives of plants and animals, and the production of energy and radiation, light and shadows, and even vitamins.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star is a must-have for any child who is curious about the world around them. With glowing illustrations and a well-known beginning, this charming story is a cozy way to learn about the one-of-a-kind star that makes everything possible. In this book, the Sun truly shines!

This is a fun take on the Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star song. A great introduction to the only star in our solar system and how it affects people, animals, and plants on earth. It shows the passage of time, seasons and how long a calendar year is. The rhyme coupled with the kid-centric illustrations make this colorful and accessible for all. And you can get it in a bilingual English/Spanish edition.

This is the Sun by Elizabeth Everett (Author), Evelline Andrya (Illustrator)

From the publisher: Science, Naturally! An Imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, Nov 2022

This is the Sun that makes the world go round!

From the tiniest animal to the tallest tree, everything on Earth is connected through the circle of life. But at the center of it all is a different kind of circle—the Sun!

Through a charming story with rhythmic repetition, young children are introduced to the bright Sun that provides energy for life on Earth.

Follow along as a young tree uses light from the Sun to make its own food, then passes its energy along the food chain… until it circles all the way back to a brand-new sprout growing toward the Sun. Readers see how each living thing in the food web provides energy to the next, over and over again.

The vibrant collage art grows along with the increasingly multilevel story. As you read, look for the bug, spider, lizard, fox, and more as they move through each of the pages and build a full ecosystem.

This is the Sun gives readers a glimpse into how all the living things are connected through the circle of life—and the role the Sun plays in making it all possible.

This is another fun take on the song, There Was an Old Woman. Beautiful collage artwork builds and incorporates all the plants, animals, the tree and the sun. This is a circle of life book, as well, but completely different than the one above. We follow the sunlight and the tree, all the way through the bugs, reptiles, animals, and seeds that grow again from the sun.

Both of these books are beautiful and colorful with repetition that kids love.

 

Two Most Excellent, Wonderful, Lovely, Fun Picture Books!

I am so surprised and impressed that I'm getting a post out. LOL I ended a job, went to Canada, and then started a new job. And now I am so happy to present these two incredible books.

Where the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals by Karen Jameson, Illustrated by Zosienka

From the publisher, Chronicle Books: available April 2022

Wee readers will connect with wee endangered-animals in this mesmerizing bedtime book by Karen Jameson (Woodland Dreams, Farm Lullaby), promoting environmental awareness and encouraging the very sweetest of dreams!

When stars are out and the moon's above,

where do the wee ones go, my love?

Where do the wee ones go?

Where do endangered animals go to sleep? Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of this bedtime picture book and find out. From the Pacific Ocean to China's mountains, the Australian outback, and beyond, each baby animal has a warm, safe place to fall asleep.

With a variety of baby endangered animals and their mamas gracing each gorgeous spread, readers will be transfixed by richly-illustrated scenes that span the globe and capture each creature's unique habitat. Snuggle close like a sweet panda, curl up like a cozy koala, and drift off like a drowsy elephant, letting the sweeping environments and soothing bedtime rituals of this gentle animal lullaby lull even the most restless little dreamers into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Lovely to read, just lovely.

I was fortunate enough to read this at a book signing this past weekend. The last page gave me goosebumps. 

It’s so lyrical: beautiful and soothing text and illustrations. And I even learned something! It really is a treasure, this book, a wonderful addition to all bookshelves.

 

Monsters in the Briny by Lynn Becker, Illustrations by Scott Brundage

From the publisher Sleeping Bear Press: available April 2022:

What do you do with a grumpy kraken, a sickly sea serpent, and a tearful gigantic tortoise? You sing them a tune, of course! Following the sea shanty rhyme of "What Do You Do With . . . ," a ship's crew of sailors has to contend with a coterie of mythical sea creatures, all demanding comfort and attention. As each creature threatens to swamp the ship, the quick-thinking crew knows just what to do to save the day, from serving pancakes to mopping a sweaty forehead to sharing an umbrella to keep the rain away. But what happens when the sailors have had enough? Back matter includes information about the sea creatures featured, music and lyrics, along with a brief history of sea shanties

This book is so much fun to read! And sing! The words and illustrations are expressive and colorful, lifting the story to the next level. With this book, you can read to your child, sing to your child, and encourage participation, too. I don’t think it’ll take that much cajoling for anyone to sing along.

If you’re able to catch Lynn Becker reading it at a bookstore, like I was, you’ll be engaged, enjoy the musical accompaniment and be ready to sing the song yourself. I believe there is an awesome book trailer out there, as well as a video with book loving folks singing the story.

Another excellent addition to all bookshelves. Trust me.

 

Book Launch Season - #1 with Tina Nichols Coury

I was lucky enough to go to three book launches in a short period of time. There were many other book launches going on that I didn't make it to, timing is what it is. But I did enjoy the launches of three wonderful authors and their books. Since all three authors are at different stages of publishing, I thought it'd be a good idea to do some book launch intel and find out some how-to's and do's and don't's. All the information is awesome!

First up is Tina Nichols Coury. She launched her very first picture book,

Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose: Growing Up On Mount Rushmore, Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. 

Here is my interview with the effervescent Tina! 

Was there any particular way you went about planning your book launch or knowing what you wanted?

This was a birthday party for my book so I wanted a huge bash. If you have a book coming out, start planning your launch one year before your book is published. Choose a date. Get your mailing list together way in advance and invite everyone you know. Book friends and relatives to help with nametags so people know they are part of the event. I liked snail mail invitations with an RSVP request to get an accurate count and to make it special. Provide finger food and a couple of craft activities for kids; I had bookmarks for coloring and flag cookies to decorate. Place a box with a poster requesting book donations for libraries and schools in a prominent position. Find a venue or bookstore that is large enough to hold your crowd. Set up a screen, if there’s space, and loop a slide show of the cover and interior illustrations of your book.  I produced a fifteen-minute power point show with the story of my 17-year journey to publication. Make your event a charity event. I partnered with the bookstore at the Autry Museum and split the cost of the party. They were thrilled and invited me back to do a signing.

Any favorite tips or must-do’s?

1) Provide a place on your invitations for friends to buy and/or donate a book.  A lot of my invitations were sent to friends and relatives out of town. This gave them a chance both to buy and donate books. It was a definite win-win.  2) A few days before the launch, sign all the books you’ve ordered.  At the launch, you can designate an already signed book and save yourself time and energy; your event will be great fun but also exhausting! Be sure to use the same color pen and have back up pens at the launch. 3) Place bookmarks and business cards on your signing table for people to take.  4) Make sure someone is always working the book-signing line.  5) Hire a photographer or have a friend take photos of the event. 6) Have a different person video the event, asking guests how they know you and what they want to say to you. I was so busy the night of the launch that I didn’t get a chance to visit with many friends and it was wonderful to watch their good cheer later.

Were you nervous at all?

No, I was exhilarated! All my friends and family were there, so I could feel the love. I’m a natural born ham and I thrived on the attention.

Did anything stand out for you what to do or not do next time?

Next time I would have bigger RSVP’s.  They turned out small and hard to read. I would have more help for the bookseller and more help with the flow of the autograph line. During my presentation I forgot to read from the book—I’d definitely do that next time. I would not open the event up on Facebook and invite the world. I didn’t do that and was glad I didn’t. It kept the event classy and exclusive. My only problem was I’m sure I forgot to invite some people and I was sorry for that.  

Did you have a lot of support from your publisher or agent for your first book?

My editor and publicist have been remarkable and incredibly supportive. I think that’s because I’ve been pro-active with my own marketing. I set up my own blog tour and asked my editor to donate a manuscript critique as a give-away. He gave me five! I hired Blue Slip Media to write my curriculum guide, provide extra press and coordinate with my Penguin publicist. My editor loved the curriculum guide that Blue Slip made for my website and put it on the Penguin site. I continue to give my editor and publicity gal weekly updates providing information on interviews, school visits and other events I’m involved in. My perspective is that it’s my job to make my publisher’s job easy. Booking events is one way to do that. Another thing I did that blew my editor’s mind was have a buddy who is a professional musician write a theme song for the book. It’s already paid off; two days before the release, my editor told me my book was already going into a second printing! I am very grateful for all the support I’ve received from Penguin.

Do you plan on doing signings elsewhere?

Many. In July I go to Mount Rushmore to do two events. July 28^th the Autry Museum invited me to sign at the Cowboy Festival. August I do the PAL event at the SCBWI conference. In September I am participating in the South Dakota Book Festival. October I am at the Santa Barbara Author’s Fair. October I am spotlight speaker at the SCBWI Writer’s Day.  That’s just so far for this year.  It takes some work to book events, but it’s worth it!

Bio:

Tina Nichols Coury is an author, award winning multi-media artist, blogger, vlogger, producer of book trailers and all around Renaissance woman.

In her debut picture book, Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose: Growing Up on Mt. Rushmore (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012), Tina brings to life the story of Lincoln Borglum, the boy who helped build Mt. Rushmore.

Tina grew up in L.A. as the youngest of four children to a single saint of a mom. She wrote her first play, What Santa wants for Xmas, in third grade and had her class perform it.

Tina currently lives and works on the beach in Oxnard, California with her husband Al, their Doberman, Honey, and the Keyboard Kitties, Toulouse and Monet.