Novelty

Three New Purim Board Books from PJ Publishing

 

 

 

PURIM BOARD BOOKS ROUNDUP

Today I am a Hamantasch: A Poem for Purim,
Purim Baskets, and Purim Possibilities

(PJ PUBLISHING)

Purim board books roundup graphic PJLibrary PJ Publishing.

 

PURIM IS ALMOST HERE!

Welcome to this year’s special Purim roundup, featuring three new Purim board books that launched on February 1.
All three bookswere published by PJ Publishing (scroll down for more details) and are being sent to PJ Library families. They also became available for purchase from Amazon on that date for non-PJ Library families. These delightful board books reflect PJ Library’s commitment to bringing a love of Jewish books to young children. According to author Nancy Churnin, “As a new grandmother (of two!) I can personally attest to how important board books are for bonding and sharing Jewish joy.”

 

REVIEWS:

Today I am a Hamantasch cover personified Hamantasch.TODAY I AM A HAMANTASCH
Written and illustrated by Varda Livney
(PJ Publishing; Amazon: $9.99, Ages 6 months – 2 years)

One of the most fun parts of the Purim holiday for the littlest family members is dressing up. Costumes can be from the millennia-old Purim story, or they can be similar to those children wear at Halloween. Whatever kids end up wearing, they’ll get excited when they see what these three cute characters choose.

Presented in an accessible, bouncy rhyme, Today I am a Hamantasch is sure to keep kids coming back for more readings.

 

 

Today I am a Hamantasch
or Maybe I’m a Tree.
I might just be Queen Esther,
But tomorrow I’ll be me.

 

Die-cuts on the animals’ faces help children see how each cheerful creature looks in assorted costumes. Then, once Purim is over, and accompanied by the text, “Tomorrow I’ll be me,” the animals revert to their “normal” selves. Between the gentle pastel tones and the adorable animals and their colorful costumes, such as a grogger, a mermaid, a cupcake, and King Achashverosh, this 16-page board book is going to be eaten up!

Today I Am a Hamantasch_English_Interior_3-4.
Interior art from Today I am a Hamantasch, written and illustrated by Varda Livney, PJ Publishing ©2026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purim Baskets cover food-filled Purim basket.

PURIM BASKETS
Written by Nancy Churnin
Illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
(PJ Publishing; Amazon: $9.99, Ages 6 months to 2 years)

Babies and toddlers will be treated to gentle rhyme that conveys the unexpected contents of Purim baskets for animals. Also known as “shalach manot” in Yiddish or “mishloach manot” in Hebrew, these baskets are usually filled with food items and given to loved ones, friends, and neighbors, as well as for charity. However, the bevy of baskets described here are not intended for humans! Many baskets no longer just contain food. In fact, adding these books to a Purim basket would be a thoughtful idea!

Always keeping youngsters guessing, Churnin’s page turns promise a chance to guess what will come next. For example, can readers figure out what animal will be rewarded with this basket?:

 

Soft, bright yarn and tinkling bells
piled on a cozy mat.
That’s because these Purim treats
are for a cuddly …
                                                                                               

Schimler-Safford’s warm illustrations, with their collage-like cut art style that capture the playful tone of the book, pair perfectly with the upbeat rhyme. Purim Baskets is a welcome addition to any family’s Purim collection.

 

Purim Baskets English Interior 24-25
Interior spread from Purim Baskets, written by Nancy Churnin and illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford, PJ Publishing ©2026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Purim Possibilities cover girl surrounded by Purim items.

PURIM POSSIBILITIES
Written by Barbara Kimmel
Illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
(PJ Publishing; Amazon: $9.99, Ages 3-4)

Let’s talk about all the possible Purim costumes a child can wear for the annual holiday festivities. And believe me, there are plenty! Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, this rollicking rhyming board book opens with a diverse crew of characters and introduces the celebration by featuring the megillah scroll and other Purim-centric items on the first spread. The book then homes in on the happy main character, who children will follow as she takes immense joy in carefully picking out her Purim costume. Along with her is a darling dachshund who joins in the fun.
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It’s Purim! It’s Purim!
I’ll join the parade!
I’ll wear a cool costume—
a fun masquerade.

                                                                                                 
Purim Possibilities English Interior 4-5
Interior art from Purim Possibilities, written by Barbara Kimmel and illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich, PJ Publishing ©2026.
The child tries on a bunch of costumes and accessories, showing young readers that for Purim, anything goes! As I mentioned in the Today I am a Hamantasch review above, costumes do not have to follow any rules. Children can dress up as Purim characters described in the Scroll of Esther, or wear Halloween-type costumes: a pirate, a robot, a rock star, a train engineer, a queen, and a baker. Even a superhero! The best part is that anything goes. That’s why when the little girl decides to be a little bit of everything, it works so well. And why not? It’s Purim! Avgustinovich brings whimsy and vibrance to the illustrations. I love the character’s big eyes and the variety of poses she assumes as she contemplates the colorful costumes.
Best of all, readers can choose from a collection of costume stickers to try on or hang in the closet with its awaiting hangers. A note in the back explains that the reusable stickers give kids a way to use their creativity as they imagine all the Purim Possibilities for the character (and perhaps themselves) to dress up for their next Purim masquerade. I’ve called dibs on that boa!
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LINKS TO PURCHASE BOOKS:

TODAY I AM A HAMANTASCH:
https://www.amazon.com/Today-Am-Hamantasch-Poem-Purim/dp/196776400X/
PURIM BASKETS:

https://www.amazon.com/Purim–Baskets-Nancy-Churnin/dp/B0GF4GV6PQ/

 

PURIM POSSIBILITIES:
https://www.amazon.com/Purim–Possibilities-Barbara-Kimmel/dp/1967764034/

ABOUT PURIM AND PJ LIBRARY’S PURIM RESOURCES:

Purim retells a dramatic 2,500 year-old story: A young Jewish woman named Esther unexpectedly becomes queen of the vast Persian empire. Soon after, an evil minister named Haman makes a plot to wipe out the Jews. Esther overcomes fear and adversity to save the Jewish community from disaster. On Purim, Jews read this story of resilience and identity triumphing over hatred. Jewish families celebrate community and friendship in joyful ways, including by wearing funny costumes, making noise using noisemakers, and sharing baskets full of treats. Purim is known as a “wacky” holiday where everything gets turned upside down.

PJ Library’s updated Purim hub (at pjlibrary.org/Purim) features everything families need to learn about and celebrate the holiday in ways that resonate for them. Find activities, recipes, costume ideas, and family-friendly story explanations for kids of all ages. Additionally, PJ Library’s Get Together Microgrant makes it easy for families to host a Purim-themed gatherings by offering subscriber families in North America a microgrant of $100 to host a Purim-themed event. Whether hamantaschen baking, costume party-hosting, or making mishloach manot for people with less, these grants enable families to engage in holidays in fun, hands-on ways.

ABOUT PJ LIBRARY:

PJ Library inspires joyful Jewish experiences by sending free storybooks and activities to families with children ages 0-12 and offering ways to connect with community. The program was founded in 2005 by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and, with the support of generous donors and partners, now distributes more than 650,000 books in seven languages to children in over 40 countries every month. The PJ Library family experience is built around the monthly storybooks and also includes family-focused holiday guides and other free gifts. Anyone who visits PJ Library’s website can hear original storytelling podcasts and explore a vast collection of Jewish parenting resources. The program welcomes families across the diversity of Jewish life.

PJ Publishing is PJ Library’s publishing imprint. Launched in 2014, the imprint has produced more than 60 English-language editions of kid-friendly Jewish-themed books. A full catalog is available at pjlibrary.org/pj-publishing.
Learn more or sign up for monthly children’s books at pjlibrary.org.
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Once Upon a Time Bookstore Weighs in on Father’s Day Books

CHILDREN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR FATHER’S DAY 2025

FROM

ONCE UPON A TIME BOOKSTORE

We’re delighted that Maureen Palacios, owner of the nation’s oldest children’s bookshop, Once Upon a Time Bookstore, an independent bookseller in Montrose, California, has curated this Father’s Day Books trio for our blog. Stop in and meet the warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable staff if you live nearby. If you’re not local, order online. Purchase links are provided in red.

 

#1 Dad cover mug shaped board book.#1 DAD
(a Mugs & Kisses book)  
Written and illustrated by Teresa Bonaddio
(Little Bee Books; $9.99, Ages 0-3)
9781499817171

This is a perfect board book for a toddler with its die-cut pages in the form of a mug. It has colorful graphic-style affirmations (SUPER DAD, #1 DAD) and fits right in the hands of a small and curious toddler. What a terrific book for the youngest child!

 

 

 

 

My Dad is a Unicorn! cover child on unicorn dad flying in sky.MY DAD IS A UNICORN!
Written by Bill Canterbury
Illustrated by Jeff Harter
(Doubleday BYR; $12.99, Ages 3-7)
9780593807873

Local author Canterbury has a great picture book series called My Life Is Weird!, and this second title (others are My Mom is a Mermaid! and  My Teacher is a Dinosaur!) is about a dad who is a unicorn. He outwits bad guys with glitter bombs, flies away (just in time) from the fire-breathing dragon, comes home to a lasagna dinner, and then has a wonderful sparkle bath to rest up. This is pure silliness told with gentle warmth and energetic illustrations, plus the book comes with stickers. A real winner!

 

 

 

 

 

Dad Jokes cover chef duck cooking.DAD JOKES: The Cheesiest, Corniest Joke Book Ever
(Highlights; $9.99, Ages 6-9)
9781639621538

This book, “packed with over 900 jokes” and puns, may be more for children than dads, but laughs are guaranteed regardless of your age! Kids can never get enough of corny, silly jokes, meaning it’s SURE to be a winner with kids (and their grown-ups). How can you resist a book chock-full of groan-worthy jokes? A Father’s Day gift to crack up even the most joke-averse reader, so add it to your joke book collection today.

“Why was the mummy upset? … She made a grave error.” Cheesy, right?

 

 

 

 

 

Also available:

Love Dad cover little girl kissing daddy on his nose. LOVE DAD: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids
Written by Dr. Joel Warsh and Andrew Gardner
Illustrated by David Cooper 
(Random House BYR; $14.99, Ages 3-7)
9780593572160

Publisher Description:

This illustrated collection of heartfelt letters is about the many beautiful hopes and dreams that fathers have for their children. A perfect gift for any dad!

When you grow up, I hope you…

…let your smile change the world
…feel you are loved, in every cell of your body
…learn how to help those who need a hand

Eighteen dads from different walks of life took turns finishing that sentence. Some of them expressed hope that their children would dream big and be kind. Others wanted their kids to have love and respect for themselves and others.

Papa's Coming Home cover dad with luggage greeting kids and husband.PAPA’S COMING HOME
Written by Chasten Buttigieg
Illustrated by Dan Taylor
(Philomel Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
9780593693988

Publisher Description:

A charming picture book about unconditional love from New York Times bestselling author Chasten Buttigieg, perfect for Father’s Day and for families who love each other the whole year through.

Jojo and Rosie’s papa has been away on a trip, and they can’t wait to welcome him home! They make signs, they pick flowers, and with Daddy’s help, they bake a cake and pack the car with absolutely everything Papa might have missed while he was away.

When Papa’s plane arrives, they give him a huge hug—but when they bring him to the car, they realize there’s one small problem: Where will Papa sit?

Delightfully illustrated by Dan Taylor, this charming story filled with love celebrates dads and familial bonds. Chasten Buttigieg shines a beautiful light on the humorous musings of toddlers and a parent’s unconditional love for their child.

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Five Christmas Books for Children – A Roundup 2024

 

 

 

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOOKS

∼A ROUNDUP FOR 2024∼

 

 

 

BOARD BOOK:

Christmas Cheer is Everywhere cover reindeer and ornaments.CHRISTMAS CHEER IS EVERYWHERE
Book Format by Hans Wilhelm
Concept by Naomi Kirsten
Illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan
Design by Eugenia Yoh
(Chronicle Kids; $10.99, Ages 2 and up)

Get ready for some spinning satisfaction with this spin-the-wheel and lift-the-flap board book. Little ones learn that holiday objects such as bows, mistletoes, snowflakes, Santa’s cap, Christmas cookies, and more are hidden on every page. “Turn the wheel to choose a holiday object.” Are they behind the wreaths, the candy cane, the stocking, or the Christmas tree? Little ones can guess and then guess some more with every spin of the wheel to keep them busy with this cheer-filled board book game.

PICTURE BOOKS:

Santa's First Christmas cover Santa with elves decorating tree.SANTA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS
Written by Mac Barnett
Illustrated by Sydney Smith
(Viking BYR; $18.99, Ages 3-7)

When this picture book began with such an intriguing line, I was immediately drawn in.

In the old days,
Santa didn’t have Christmas.

I’d never really thought about this. Had you? The credits and dedication pages spread feature a polar bear looking up at Santa in his sleigh. A clue of what’s to come. It seems Santa is always so wrapped up in his gift-giving that he has never taken time to celebrate Christmas. When this fact is confirmed by the North Pole elves to Polar Bear, passing by on his way to his cave, a thoughtful plot evolves. This means Santa’s typical Christmas is about to change. No more sleeping late and doing absolutely nothing after his big Christmas Eve deliveries. The elves and Polar Bear have something lovely in store. Something that will tug at your heartstrings.

Smith’s rendering of Santa, the elves, and then Polar Bear Santa are presented without outlines. They may appear simple but they are complex in their execution. Santa’s personality jumps off the page with warmth and emotion. My heart felt full as he was celebrated that morning with one kind deed after another. First, the elves brought him breakfast in bed, and the day kept getting better and better. They picked out a tree, decorated it, and ultimately there was baking and stories by the fire. What a delight when Polar Bear arrives, “dressed in red, with a sack full of gifts …” A splendid feast follows and everyone is beyond content. A new tradition has begun. And I’m not only talking about Santa’s Christmas but the new tradition of reading this rewarding origin story every year.

 

Bunnies in a Sleigh cover bunnies Santa reindeer riding sleigh in sky.BUNNIES IN A SLEIGH:
A Chaotic Christmas Tale!
Written by Philip Ardagh
Illustrated by Ben Mantle
(Candlewick Press; $17.99, Ages 3-7) 

I don’t know exactly why but there’s something about bunnies behaving silly in a story that cracks me up. Add rhyme to it and I’m sold. That’s why this Christmas picture book grabbed me. Ardagh’s humor will make kids happy this holiday as they get caught up in the rabbits’ adventure.

Something’s amiss in Santa’s workshop. The elves have gotten tummy aches from wolfing down too many candy canes. Help is needed so it’s rabbits to the rescue. They assist Santa on his sleigh in the most delightful way. They also complete some amazing feats, like barely banging into a clock tower when Santa’s busy searching through his toy sac. What I love the most about the rollicking ride is the bunnies’ expressions. Just check out their faces on the cover. And there’s more hilarity on every page. Don’t miss the bunny looking for a kiss. See what else you can find. Perhaps my favorite illustration is a bunch of bunnies stuck in a chimney. Another I enjoyed was when they delivered presents to imprisoned raccoons. If you’re looking for a lively read-aloud this Christmas, look no further than Bunnies in a Sleigh.

 

Hooray It's Three King's Day! cover girl holding wooden kings.HOORAY, IT’S THREE KINGS DAY!
Written by Annette M. Clayton
Illustrated by Jone Leal
(Familius; $17.99; Ages 5-7)

Sophia, a young girl excited for Christmas, receives a visit from her abuela on Christmas morning.

Her abuela brings three wooden “santos” or religious figurines with her that depict the three kings from the Christmas story. Abuela shares the story of the kings with Sophia before asking her to participate in their family tradition of moving them closer to the manager during the twelve days of Christmas.

As El Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day) approaches, Sophia and her abuela enjoy all the season has to offer: stories, sled rides, special baking, and family dinners. Finally, the night before Three Kings Day, Sophia prepares a special shoebox for the kings’ camels and wakes the next morning to a delicious surprise!

This sweet, relatable tale from Annette M Clayton celebrates the season in the best way—with family and the sharing of traditions. Warm illustrations by Jone Leal add to the holiday charm while backmatter explains more about the traditions of Three Kings Day and includes a glossary of unfamiliar words. •Reviewed by Roxanne Troup

 

A City Full of Santas cover girl and mom in city full of Santas.A CITY FULL OF SANTAS
Written by Joanna Ho
Illustrated by Thai My Phuong
(HarperCollins BYR; $19.99, Ages 4-8)

I finished this fantastic book wondering why someone hadn’t written this story sooner but the answer is obvious. It needed to be written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Thai My Phuong to get it just right. From the first page, I knew I was in for a treat. Written both lyrically and joyfully, Ho’s story introduces us to a little girl who has been eager to meet Santa but for the past five years, she hasn’t managed to stay awake. This year her mom is taking her to meet him at a city department store. Imagine the child’s surprise when leaving the train station to see firsthand that Santas are EVERYWHERE. That spread has to be one of my favorites. Phuong captures the wild experience of a city, a Santascape, peopled by every kind of Santa imaginable.

But which one is the real Santa? The girl and readers wonder. If he smells like peppermint and chocolate, laughs like the sun clapping its hands, and feels like a heart full of glitter, she’ll know he’s the one. What fun illustrations await kids when they see the main character encounter several of the city Santas and realize they don’t meet her criteria! Her anticipation is high, though, as she waits in line to meet the department store Santa, the one she thinks will be legit. Only he’s far from it. He doesn’t smell or laugh right, and he definitely does not make her heart feel like glitter “not even one tiny sparkle!” Hugely disappointed, the child is determined to stay up to see Santa but once again falls asleep. However, upon awakening, she discovers Santa has visited. She smells peppermint and chocolate and feels that glitter in her heart, all despite having slept through the magic. In fact, the magic of Santa and the promise of Christmas joy are truly present on every page of this heartwarming tale.

 

MORE RECOMMENDED READS:

PEEKABOO: SANTA
Written by Camilla Reid
Illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius
(Candlewick Press; $9.99, Ages 0-2)

Written by Stephen Briseño
Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez 
(Random House Studio, $18.99, Ages 4-8)
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A STRAY DOG FOR CHRISTMAS
Written by Jack Jokinen
Illustrated by Wendy Tan
(Sourcebook Kids; $14.99, Ages 4-8) 

THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE
Written by Thomas Meyer
Illustrated by Philippe Goossens
(NorthSouth Books; $19.95, Ages 4-8)

A MOUSE FAMILY CHRISTMAS
Written by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Leah Hong
(Little Brown BYR; $18.99, Ages 4-8)

I AM NOT SANTA CLAUS!
Written and illustrated by T. L. McBeth
(Flamingo Books; $9.99, Ages 3-7)

MY WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TREE
With a new afterword by Carl Little
Written and illustrated by Dahlov Ipcar
(Tilbury House Publishers; $18.99,   Ages )

 

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An Interview with Maria Wen Adcock

 

 

CHARLOTTE CHENG INTERVIEWS

MARIA WEN ADCOCK,

AUTHOR OF

IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE

ILLUSTRATED BY REA ZHAI

(Clarion Books; $9.99, Ages 0-4)

 

It's Chinese New Year Curious George girl CG playig with paper dragon

 

 

 

INTERVIEW:

Maria Wen Adcock is the author of IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE [Clarion Books], which is a perfect book to introduce Chinese New Year traditions to little ones. In this interview conducted by Charlotte Cheng, author of NIGHT MARKET RESCUE [Rocky Pond Books], Maria discusses her process for writing the book, her experience seeing the book published, and much much more. 

Thanks for taking the time to share your author journey with us today! 

 

Charlotte Cheng: Curious George is such a household name. What was it like infusing this classic with your Chinese heritage?

Maria Wen Adcock: I grew up reading Curious George, so it was an incredible honor to work on IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE. Children around the world are familiar with Curious George, so it makes learning about Chinese culture more accessible when children see him celebrating this holiday. I’m so proud to share my Chinese heritage with young readers through an iconic character like Curious George! 

 

CC: For those who are curious, what’s the difference between the terms Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year?

MWA: Lunar New Year is an overarching term for many Asian countries, beyond China, that celebrates the new year based on the moon cycle. Under the term Lunar New Year are subsets: Chinese New Year, Vietnamese New Year called Tet, Korean New Year called Seollal, Indonesian New Year called Imlek, and more. Each country has its own unique New Year traditions. For example, in China, when it is the Year of the Rabbit, in Vietnam it’s the Year of the Cat. Chinese New Year is celebrated with red envelopes, but Korean New Year does not. 

Chinese New Year refers to the holiday that Chinese people celebrate using customs specific to their culture. Though some countries may celebrate their new year in similar ways, such as getting together with families and eating certain foods, not all the traditions are the same. For example, one Chinese New Year tradition involves hanging a sign upside down on the front door. The word on the sign is Fú (福), a Chinese character meaning good luck and fortune. In Chinese, the word for “upside-down” is Dào (倒). This sounds similar to another word, also called Dào (到), which means “to arrive.” So hanging the Fu sign upside-down means good luck and fortune will arrive. This custom is very specific to Chinese New Year.

 

CC: Why did you choose to focus on Chinese New Year for the book?

MWA: The publisher wanted the book to delve deeper into the traditions and symbolism of Chinese New Year. They chose me to author the book so I could tap into my lived experience as a Chinese American to authentically speak to how the holiday was celebrated. Given the book only has seven tabbed pages to work with, space was a premium. I did the best I could to provide readers with as much information as possible about the Chinese New Year.

If this book had focused on the Lunar New Year, to be inclusive and accurate, we would have needed to mention all the different countries under that umbrella term and highlight their unique traditions. But given the limitations of space, we wouldn’t have been able to provide more depth – likely just a mention – and we thought this wouldn’t do it justice.

 

 

Interior illustrations from It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George written by H. A. Rey and Maria Wen Adcock, and illustrated by Rea Zhai, Clarion Books ©2023.

 

 

CC: Chinese New Year is celebrated in so many different ways since China is so diverse. How did you select which traditions to highlight in the story?

MWA: I was able to pull from my childhood growing up in a Chinese American household when deciding which traditions to include in the book. There were so many traditions to choose from. I narrowed them down to highlight the most commonly celebrated ones. 

 

CC: What was it like working on the book with the publishing team and what was your favorite part of the process? 

MWA: My editor, Bethany Vinhateiro, led the process and provided guidelines on format requirements for the Curious George series of tabbed board books. All of the books in this series featured 7 tabs with themes, and each tab included 4 stanzas in rhyme with 4 lines in each stanza. She encouraged me to ensure that Curious George’s personality came out in my story, which I was familiar with given that I had grown up with his stories.

Bethany worked with the illustrator, Rea Zhai, to bring my story to life. I did not directly communicate with the illustrator, which is typical in traditional publishing. Instead, Bethany sent me drafts of the illustrations so that I could ensure they accurately reflected the customs of Chinese New Year. I really enjoyed the process of seeing the illustrations, providing feedback, and then viewing the revisions.

 

CC: When you finally got to see the illustrations for the book, did you see any fun surprises in the images?

MWA: The cover took my breath away as it captured the heart and spirit of Chinese New Year. I was pleasantly surprised to see the title of the book printed in gold foil, which is one of the traditional colors of Chinese New Year in addition to red, which represents good luck. I loved how the Man in the Yellow Hat changed his usual yellow tie to a red one to celebrate Chinese New Year. The illustrations did an amazing job of bringing the holiday to life.

 

CC: What was it like launching your book during Chinese New Year? Any favorite memories from your launch party or school visits?

MWA: Launching my book during Chinese New Year was the perfect timing given its storyline. The weeks leading up to Chinese New Year traditionally include a lot of preparation and teaching the children about the holiday taught them how they could celebrate Chinese New Year with their own families at home. 

I was so thrilled with my launch party at Huntington Public Library where I work in the Youth and Parent Department for my day job. They provided incredible support, and there were over 150 people in attendance – the maximum the auditorium could hold. My sister flew in from Michigan to help me which I appreciated so much. 

The school visits were so fun. The kids were incredibly curious and engaged with my presentation which not only included a book reading but also provided interesting details behind the reasons for each of the traditions mentioned in the book. I really enjoyed interacting with the students!

 

CC: For those who are interested in writing children’s books, what advice would you like to give them? Where should they start?

MWA: I would recommend joining your local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI.org). They offer workshops to hone your craft and access to many agents and editors. The organization can also help you find a critique group which is an invaluable tool for elevating the quality of your manuscripts.

CC: It’s been a pleasure learning about your experience Maria. Happy writing and congratulations on your book!

BUY  THE BOOK HERE:

Support local independent bookstores by clicking here to make your purchase.

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Author Maria Wen Adcock Photo Credit Maria Wen Adcock
Author Maria Wen Adcock Photo Credit: Maria Wen Adcock

AUTHOR BIO:

Maria Wen Adcock is the author of It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George [2023] published by Clarion Books/Harper Collins. Maria is a first-generation Chinese-American writer and founder of the award-winning multicultural parenting blog www.BiculturalMama.com. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Bloomberg News, Newsday, and Huffington Post. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and co-host of the annual event Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
Follow: Facebook |Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 

 

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INTERVIEWER BIO:

Charlotte has written and illustrated a variety of books including Night Market Rescue and BoBo Loves Dumplings. With over 20 years of EdTech experience, Charlotte has also written and published K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies including CodeCombat, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. You can learn more about Charlotte’s work at: www.charlotte.art. You can also find her on Instagram @charlottemakesbooks or Twitter @charlottedraws

ILLUSTRATOR LINKS:

Website: https://reazhaiart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhazhazhaart/

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Board Book Review – Dia de Muertos

 

 

DÍA DE MUERTOS:
A Papel Picado Lift-the-Flap Book

Written by Dori Elys

Illustrated by Alicia Más

(Little Simon; $8.99, Ages birth and up)

 

 

Dia de Muertos cover children holding papel picado food flowers

 

 

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the vein of Coco, this bright board book highlights the beauty of Día de Muertos with colorful lift-the-flaps that look just like papel picado revealing details of the holiday.

 

REVIEW:

This 14-page interactive board book written by Dori Elys and illustrated by Alicia Más is not only lovely to look at, but it’s also made the Día de Muertos holiday accessible to little ones. Right from the opening line, we’re greeted in Spanish and English:

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome!
It’s Dia de Muertos.
Won’t you join us
in this colorful celebration?

Every spread is decorated with the traditional papel picado cut paper folk art although here it’s been die-cut onto two-colored sturdy flaps.

 

Dia de Muertos int1 Bienvenidos Welcome
Interior spread from Día de Muertos written by Dori Elys and illustrated by Alicia Más, Little Simon ©2023.

 

Lifting each flap reveals some helpful information about the traditions. The one pictured above explains when the Mexican holiday takes place annually. Not sure when? It’s November 1 to November 2.  Under the candles flap below the meaning of altars is explained. This “showcase of love” honors those who’ve passed away. Spanish words such as ofrendas (offerings), mira (look), and familia (family) are introduced with the art providing more ways to decode new vocabulary.

 

Dia de Muertos int2 altars honor family
Interior spread from Día de Muertos written by Dori Elys and illustrated by Alicia Más, Little Simon ©2023.

 

In these vibrantly illustrated pages, kids will learn that Día de Muertos is a joyful occasion where family, food, flowers, photos, candles, animal guides, and skulls play a big role. And, the loved ones who are gone from our physical world (the land of the living) are very much alive in our hearts. The holiday has become popular around the world, allowing people of various backgrounds to honor the memory of those who’ve passed on.

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An Interview with AlphaBot Author and Illustrator Vicky Fang

 

RAJANI LAROCCA INTERVIEWS VICKY FANG,

AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR OF

ALPHABOT

(MIT Kids Press/Candlewick Press; 14.99, Ages 3-7)

AlphaBot cover mix and match robots

PUBLISHER SUMMARY:

Found your circuit-board head? Your voice-control torso? Your hydrojet feet? Hooray! You’ve made one of the 729 mix-and-match robots that are possible with this innovative flip-flap book. Alongside the bright and cheery illustrations of robot parts is a basic alphabetical listing of terms—from android to gears, neural network to program, wheels to Z-drive—and a basic definition of each. With a concealed spiral binding and sturdy card stock pages to hold up to enthusiastic flap-turning, AlphaBot is full of appeal for young robot lovers, preschoolers who love machines, and anyone looking for STEM books for the younger set. Back matter includes a brief explanation of the three key abilities of robots: to sense, think, and act.

INTERVIEW:

Rajani LaRocca: How did you come up with this idea?

Vicky Fang: ALPHABOT actually started off with the title! As a former designer of robots for kids, I think about robots a lot, haha. Once the title and the idea of a robot alphabet book were in my head, I knew I wanted to make something interactive. I thought about different novelty formats (flaps, cutouts, etc.) until I had the idea for mix-and-match flaps. This meant kids would be able to mix-and-match the A-Z robotics terms to create their own robots. How fun and exciting! I spent a long time thinking about what terms would work and making paper dummies to prove out the concept.

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RL: What kind of challenges did you face coming up with a novelty book idea like this?

Alphabot int2 circuit fan treads
Interior illustrations and text from AlphaBot written and illustrated by Vicky Fang, MIT Kids Press ©2023.

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VF: This book was definitely a puzzle to put together! I have several paper dummies where I was working to make sure I could make all the terms work together. Once I had a working dummy, it was also challenging to sell the book! Novelty books are expensive to construct, so even though several editors were interested, it took time to find a publisher that could figure out how to make the numbers work. I’m so glad that MIT Kids Press/Candlewick found a way and I’m so happy with the quality of the book!

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RL: I see a strong parallel between this book and your debut, INVENT-A-PET. What do you see as the similarities and differences between them?

VF: I love introducing kids to STEM concepts, but really, I want kids to be creative problem solvers. This is at the heart of both books! Even though INVENT-A-PET is a fiction story about a girl inventing fantastic pets and ALPHABOT is about non-fiction informational book about creating robots, you can see that both books invite kids to be inventive! Maybe the different approach will appeal to a different kid, but hopefully, all kids find a way to engage their imagination from the STEM content in these books.

AlphaBot int1 gears hydrojets
Interior illustrations and text from AlphaBot written and illustrated by Vicky Fang, MIT Kids Press ©2023.

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RL: I loved the mix of familiar and not-so-familiar terms in this book! Was it hard to come up with a concept for each letter of the alphabet?

VF: There were letters that were more challenging than others, especially to make sure they would work in their positions in the book (head, torso, or feet.) I tried several different options, as well as shifting which flaps the letters would fall on. But since I was also illustrating, I was able to think creatively about how these robot parts might work and all fit together!

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RL: What do you hope kids get from this book?

VF: Well, of course, I hope they understand robots a little bit better! The back matter is a pretty simple explanation of the capabilities of robots and came from my engineering partner, Chaitanya Gharpure. Hopefully, kids understand a little bit more about how robots work and what kinds of parts they might have!

But ultimately, as I was saying before, I want kids to have fun and be creative, I hope that this book sparks their imagination and gives them the confidence to create.

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RL: What’s next for you?

VF: I am very excited about my next early reader series, BEST BUDDIES, illustrated by Luisa Leal, which is releasing in October with Scholastic. It’s about a dog named Sniff and a cat named Scratch who are best friends and get into mischief at home. It’s been fun to explore themes of friendship and teamwork with these two characters who approach things differently, but together.

After that, I have many more books coming! I’m currently working on a new early chapter book series, AVA LIN, about a relatable and funny 6-year-old Chinese-American girl with a knack for getting herself into—and out of—trouble. Keep an eye out for it, launching with Candlewick in June 2024!

BUY THE BOOK:

Support a local independent bookstore and get a signed copy. (Please type in the comments how you’d like the book inscribed): https://www.lindentreebooks.com/alphabot.html

Also: https://vickyfang.com/books/alphabot/

AUTHOR BIO:

Vicky Fang is a product designer who spent 5 years designing kids’ technology experiences for both Google and Intel, often to inspire and empower kids in coding and technology. She started writing to support the growing need for early coding education, particularly for girls and kids of color. She is the author, and sometimes illustrator, of nineteen new and upcoming books for kids, including the Layla and the Bots series, Invent-a-Pet, I Can Code board books, Friendbots series, and the forthcoming Ava Lin series, Best Buddies series, AlphaBot, and The Boo Crew Needs You!. You can visit Vicky at vickyfang.com.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/fangmous

IG: https://www.instagram.com/fangmousbooks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fangmousbooks

INTERVIEWER BIO:

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor and Walter Award-winning middle-grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She has always been an omnivorous reader, and now is an omnivorous writer of novels and picture books, fiction and nonfiction, in poetry and prose. You can learn more about her atwww.RajaniLaRocca.com.

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