New Books in Children's Literature

Jennifer Wolf Kam has been writing since she could hold a crayon. Today she holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her young adult supernatural novel, Devin Rhodes is Dead, winner of the NAESP Award, was published by Charlesbridge and nominated to Voya Magazine's Top Shelf for Middle School Fiction. Jennifer’s debut picture book, Until the Blueberries Grow, will be published by PJ Library in May 2022, and will join the PJ Library family of books.Jennifer is a five-time finalist for the Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, and winner of the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest for Middle Grade Fiction. Her supernatural short stories have appeared in the journal, Hunger Mountain. She lives in New York with her family, her rescue kitty, KitKat, and a love of history and chocolate. Visit Jennifer at www.jenniferwolfkam.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I talked to James Michael Thibeault, the author of the lovely children's book Melanie and the Box (2021).Melanie wants to be just like her mother: someone who wears a giant box whenever they go out. In fact, everyone wears a giant box when they are old enough. Now that Melanie is the appropriate age to start wearing a box, what design will she pick and does she even want to wear one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our interview Pat Zietlow Miller and I talk about her path to fame and fortune as a children's author, the story behind her classic (and premier) children's book, Sophie's Squash, and her advice to aspiring writers. We are also celebrating the very recent (three weeks ago) launch of her new book,In our Garden (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2022) is an uplifting classroom tale about students who create a vegetable garden on their school's rooftop.Millie has recently moved to a new city, from a place more than an ocean away. More than anything she misses the garden where her family used to grow food. Then one day she has an idea—the school has a fine flat roof, perfect for a garden. Soon her teacher and classmates are on board, but it takes more than ideas to build a garden. It takes supplies and hard work; it takes a lot of learning; and it takes a whole school—a whole community—coming together to help. And of course, it also takes a lot of waiting. But as Millie's teacher Miss Mirales says, “Be patient. Good things take time.”From building the beds and planting the seeds to the first glorious harvest, here's the story of a garden—and a girl—in bloom, and what it takes for a new place to finally feel like home.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In my conversation with author-illustrator Laurie Smollet Kutscera we celebrate the launch of her new picture book, Maya's Treasure (Peter Pauper Press, 2021), published just five months ago by Peter Pauper Press. "Keeping close the words and memories of her grandmother, a young girl is determined to craft a treasure from cast-off bits of shell."Laurie Smollett Kutscera was born in New York City, and studied fine art and children’s book illustration at Queens College. Her love for art, storytelling, and most of all those stories representing characters who discover hidden strength flourished throughout her graphics design career, leading her to illustrate Ravita and the Land of Unknown Shadows. Maya’s Treasure, her second solo project after middle-grade novel Misadventures of a Magician’s Son, also shares a story inspired by a dear friend. Laurie lives on the north shore of Long Island with her husband, and rescue dog Abby, where she continues to bring her stories to life.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing Out of Communism: Russian Literature for Children and Teens, 1991-2017 (Brill, 2021) explores the rise of a new body of literature for children and teens following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent transformation of the publishing industry. Lanoux, Herold, and Bukhina first consider the Soviet foundations of the new literature, then chart the influx of translated literature into Russia in the 1990s. In tracing the development of new literature that reflects the lived experiences of contemporary children and teens, the book examines changes to literary institutions, dominant genres, and archetypal heroes. Also discussed are the informal networks and online reader responses that reflect the views of child and teen readers. Marshall Poe is the founder and editor of the New Books Network. He can be reached at marshallpoe@newbooksnetwork.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of her new book release, I talk to bestselling children's author Beth Ferry about No Nibbling! (Roaring Brook Press, 2022), a tale filled with fantastic word play that will have kids laughing and insisting,One warm spring day, Derwood the goat planted a garden and patiently tended it as it grew. On that very same day, he noticed a dandelion puff--it was too early in the season, but Derwood was taking no chances. Growing a garden is risky business, after all. But as Derwood inspected the dandelion, he realized it wasn't a weed. It was a bunny! With Tabitha, a precocious bunny who is very interested in all the tasty vegetables, hopping on the scene, what ensues is a pun-filled tale that will leave you saying, "No nibbling!"Beth Ferry lives in New Jersey with her husband, three children, and two bulldogs.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spoke with Katelyn Aronson about life and her wonderful new children's book Clovis Keeps His Cool (Page Street, 2021). Clovis used to struggle with his temper, but ever since he took over his late grandmother’s china shop, he’s been learning how to manage it. He pours tea, listens to soothing music, and always keeps Granny’s words in mind: “Grace, grace, nothing broken to replace.” But when rivals from his football days come to heckle him at the shop, Clovis faces a big challenge that even Granny’s words and deep breaths might not be enough for.Katelyn Aronson grew up in Southern California, where she went on to work in independent children's bookshops. She won her first trip to Paris in a bookstore window display contest, and the rest is history. Today, Katelyn lives between France and Switzerland and works as a language instructor. She is completing her MA on English/French translation (what else?) at the Sorbonne (where else?).Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author-illustrator Amalia Hoffman is back with her three-day old book, Masha Munching (Yeehoo Press, 2022), a hilarious tale about a goat with an insatiable appetite and her journey to finding the best meal ever! When Masha discovers The Bistro Magnifique, where waiters serve fancy meals in bow ties, Masha thinks it’s her lucky day! But at a proper restaurant, can Masha satisfy her desire for wonderful food while staying true to herself?With colorful, intricate paper-cut art to amuse readers on every page, this timeless tale follows a young goat discovering that the best meal is the one shared with good friends. Amalia was previously on NBN with her recent book, My Monsterpiece, which was a 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal winner.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PJ McIlvaine's debut picture book Little Lena and the Big Table (June 2019, Big Belly Book Co.), illustrations by Leila Nabih, is about a determined little girl tired of eating with her annoying cousins at the kid’s table, only to discover that the big table isn’t much better. PJ’s second picture book, Dragon Roar (MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing, October 2021), art by Logan Robers, is about a lonely, sick dragon who has lost his mighty roar, and the brave village girl who helps him find it again. PJ is currently under contract with Oghma Creative Media for three picture books for a Creature Feature series and a standalone (pub date 2023-2024). PJ's middle grade supernatural historical fantasy Violet Yorke, Gilded Girl: Ghosts in the Closet is also out this week. PJ is also a co-host and founding member of #PBPitch, the premiere Twitter pitch party for picture book creators. PJ has been published in numerous outlets including The New York Times and Newsday, and is a regular contributor for The Children’s Book Insider newsletter (paid firewall), writing about the path to publication and interviews with established and debut kid lit authors. Also, PJ’s critically acclaimed Showtime original family movie My Horrible Year with Mimi Rogers, Karen Allen, and Eric Stoltz, was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme. She is the author of five picture books including the best-selling Goodnight, Ark (Zonderkidz, August ’14). In our interview we discuss her two recent books, Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep (Beaming Books, Spring ’21)and her new board book with Zonderkidz, Bunny Finds Easter (Zonderkidz, Spring ’22) ! In addition to books, she’s published over one hundred poems, stories, crafts, and articles in various children’s publications.She’s been a teacher, homeschool mom, children’s ministry director, historic museum interpreter, and more.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices