Our Statement of Solidarity including anti-racist reading lists and resources, plus more bookish news 📚
Soaring '20s Statement of Solidarity
illustration by Larissa Marantz
We, the Soaring ’20s Picture Book Collective, are united with the Black Lives Matter Movement.
We grieve with you. We are outraged with you. We understand that words and actions are required to fight with you.
Because we are a diverse group of creators, we directly state that our nonBlack and white members have the responsibility to eradicate police brutality and systemic racism first and foremost. Those of us with privilege will use their voices and resources to support, defend, and protect the human rights of the Black community.
Join us. Click here to read the full statement plus peruse our collection anti-racist resources and reading lists.
So You Want to Create a Recipe for Your Picture Book by Carrie Finison
When my daughter was about four, we read the fantastic picture book Bee Bim Bop by Linda Sue Park. My daughter was intrigued, not only by the lively rhythms of the text, but also by the recipe in the back of the book. Of course, we had to try it! There’s something about reading a picture book about food that can entice even the pickiest eater to want to try something new, and it’s extra fun when a recipe is included.
Read more plus get details about the pre-order giveaway here (ends June 30th).
Happy Book Birthday Invent-a-Pet by Vicky Fang
My debut picture book, INVENT-A-PET, illustrated by Tidawan Thaipinnarong, launches on June 2 from Sterling Children’s Books!
INVENT-A-PET tells the story of Katie, an ordinary girl who longs for an extraordinary pet—something more spectacular than a simple goldfish. Read more here.
Launch Countdown: Reflections and Results by Vicky Fang
So I just ran a launch countdown for my debut book, LAYLA AND THE BOTS: Happy Paws. If you’re curious about how I set it up, how much anxiety was involved, and what the results were, this is for you!
THE IDEA
One countdown post per day, posted to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, for eight days leading to the launch of my book.
Click here to read more about the campaign.
Soaring '20s at nErDCamp Connecticut
Soaring '20s authors and illustrators networked with teachers and librarians at the first-ever nErDCampCT hosted by the Connecticut Association of School Librarians. They presented as part of the following panels:
STEAMing Up Picture Books with Jen Malia, Vicky Fang, Lindsay Metcalf, Kirsten Larson
Big Laughs, Little Life Lessons with Sam Wedelich, Carrie Finison, Isabella Kung, Abi Cushman, Kjersten Hayes
Calling All Nonfiction Nerds with Ranjani LaRocca and Christina Soontornvat
Poetry-Rajani LaRocca
Other participating Soaring '20s included Elisa Boxer, Kelly Baptist, NoNieqa Ramos, Kelly Carey, Angela Kunkel, and Joana Pastro.
Did you miss the event? Don't worry, you can catch our FlipGrid book talks here.
A new book cover
Don't forget, you can see all our covers and preorder on our website.
📣 A new book deal 📚
Soaring '20s in the news and on the road
Kelly Baptist's forthcoming middle grade, ISAIAH DUNN IS MY HERO (Crown) was a Buzz Pick at Book Expo 2020.
Keith and Larissa Marantz released CLYDE LIED, the third book in their Clyde the Hippo series.
Jasmyn Wright (I'M GONNA PUSH THROUGH) was featured in the International Literacy Association's Literacy Today discussing the power of pushing through adversity. Read the article here.
Sam Wedelich (CHICKEN LITTLE) appeared on Jarrett Lerner's blog.
Joana Pastro (LILYBELLE) visited Ana Sequira's blog to discuss her path to publication. Read it here.
NoNieqa Ramos's YA DISTURBED GIRL'S DICTIONARY was on BookRiot's 13 Best Hard-Hitting YA list and Lerner Book's 18 Books to Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, which also featured THE TRUTH IS.
Isballa Kung did a read aloud of NO FUZZBALL! for #theBronxisReading virtual book festival.
Kirsten W. Larson (WOOD, WIRE, WINGS) appeared on the STEM Everyday Podcast and My Messy Muse (with Jen Malia).
Rajani Larocca (SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS) was on Grace Lin's Kids Ask Authors Podcast and Kidlit TV's StoryMakers in the Kitchen. Find the recipe and more info here. Story Seeds published Rajani's bonus interview with Betsy Bird. Rajani also took part in the virtual SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE Book Festival and nErDCamp NJ.
Kelly Carey did a storytime and Father's Day craft at Belmont Bookstore. Watch it here. She's doing a virtual event at Second Star to the Right Bookstore June 18. Get your tickets here. Kelly and illustrator Qing Zhuang were interviewed on Chris Barton's blog. And Kelly did an interview on Business Innovators about book marketing and the power of debut groups.
Vicky Fang has been everywhere launching INVENT-A-PET and LAYLA AND THE BOTS (both #1 new releases on Amazon), including Susanna Hill's blog, Linden Tree Books, CritterLit, Cynsations, Adventure Theatre MTC, Sally's Bookshelf, and STEMSpark.
Shelf Awareness features Lindsay H. Metcalf's NO VOICE TOO SMALL for its Book Trailer of the Day and The Tiny Activist blog gave NVTS a glowing review: “Overall this is a stunning book that should be gifted at every opportunity, and placed permanently on every bookshelf.” Lindsay's FARMER'S UNITE was named a Fall 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection.
School Library Journal called Candy Wellins' SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA, "endearing" and "a necessary purchase."
Publisher's Weekly says Abi Cushman's SOAKED! "makes the familiar make-lemonade story feel as fresh as the outdoors after a summer shower." Full review.
Jen Malia (TOO STICKY!) was interviewed by Zibby Owens, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, My Messy Muse, the Tidewater Autism Society of America, and Autism Dad in the 603. TOO STICKY! was reviewed by Good Reads with Ronna and The Pirate Tree. Jen wrote a blog post, "Like Mother, Like Daughter," for the Organization of Autism Research. Her book appeared on the Disability and Autism list for Social Justice Books. Her #booksareessential photo was featured on the Instagram account for Publisher's Weekly.
