New Books in Children's Literature

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

We live in a society that is extremely diverse, and we must find ways to treat each other with love and respect despite our differences. Little Miss Linda is a dark-skinned girl who has been treated cruelly because of the color of her skin. Her father is in the military, so she has had the privilege of living in various places around the world including Japan, Korea, Philippines, Alaska, and Germany. Often, she and her siblings would be the only African American children in their classes.Little Miss Linda was full of excitement when her father told the family he was retiring and moving to Mississippi. She thought that the mean words about her dark skin would stop. She imagined her family would be surrounded by people who were like her, but to her surprise, she continued to be teased and taunted about the complexion of her skin.Linda J. M. Holloway's Little Miss Linda Speaks Out About Diversity (2021) illustrates how Little Miss Linda was able to turn a negative situation into a positive one. She did this through teaching her class, school, and community the power of appreciating and celebrating people regardless of their skin color.The power and effectiveness of Little Miss Linda’s diversity story is made practical by the “Skittles Story.” Yes, if only Skittles could talk right? They do in this book!Through this elementary story all children can relate to the simple truth that people are more alike than they are different and diversity is to be celebrated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I talked with author/illustrator Mike Malbrough about his new book Love is Here (Penguin, 2021).Told through poetic and lyrical text and accompanied by lush watercolor illustrations, a child takes a magical journey in search of love, only to find that it lived everywhere, in everything, even in one’s own backyard. A celebration of the interconnectedness of our lives and proof that love is all around you–if you look closely enough for it. Even when the world feels darkest, love is here. Perfect for those looking to teach kindness and empathy to little ones.Mke is also ithe author of Marigold Bakes a Cake and Marigold Finds the Magic Words, and the illustrator of the Warren & Dragon chapter book series by Ariel Bernstein. When he isn’t in his studio, Mike spends time educating and mentoring young and emerging artists in his community. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two adventurous kids.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

Christine Taylor-Butler is the author of more than 90 books and articles for children and young adults, including her newest title The Get-Together (Reycraft Books, 2022). A graduate of MIT, she holds degrees in both Civil Engineering and Art and Design. Her interests ranges from writing nonfiction to science fiction. Christine lives in Kansas City, Missouri.She also wrote The Lost Tribes series (middle grade) published by Move Books, a small independent publisher It's science fiction about a multicultural group of children who discover their science geek parents might not be who they claim to be.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

Anne Renaud is an award-winning children’s author who writes in both French and English. Today we talk about her recent picture book, Gwendolyn's Pet Garden (2021). She has written more than 20 publications feature picture books and historical non-fiction books, and several more are due out this year. Her picture book biographies include: The True Tale of a Giantess: The Story of Anna Swan, The Boy who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat and Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament. She is also a regular contributor to children’s magazines. Anne lives and writes in Westmount, Quebec. 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

Janie Emaus joins us to discuss her debut picture book, Latkes for Santa Claus which was released late in 2020 from Sky Pony Press. Her next blended holiday story, Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls will be released in spring 2023. In addition, Janie is the author of the young adult novel, Mercury in Retro Love and has a time travel romance forthcoming from Wild Rose Press. In 2016, she won honorary mention in the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition.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