Saturday, November 30, 2019

FEDERICO AND THE WOLF Cover Reveal (plus a giveaway!)

In a little less than six months, my picture book Federico and the Wolf will be published! Federico and the Wolf is the story of young Federico, who has plans to make the perfect pico with his Abuelo. But the lobo he meets in the woods while on his way to grandpa's shop has a plan of his own! Federico and the Wolf is a gender-swapped, rhyming retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, with Mexican flair! With Spanish language woven into the text, and a recipe for The Perfect Pico at the end of the book, Federico and the Wolf is a fractured fairy tale you won't want to miss.

The idea for Federico and the Wolf came to me in January 2017, during Tara Lazar's Storystorm challenge. I wrote a draft of the story that same month, and worked on revisions over the next few weeks. That summer, my agent sent it out into the world. And in November that same year, it was picked up by Anne Hoppe at Clarion. That was two years ago!

I could not be happier with how the book is coming together. It is illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, whose colorful and bold art add fun and flavor to the story. And the cover captures the heart of the book beautifully. I hope you agree that it is hard to resist!

Federico and the Wolf will be my fourth published book. But it is also my first, because it is the first that I have sold without my amazing writing partner, Corey Rosen Schwartz. I hope to publish many more books in the future, both with Corey and on my own.

To see the cover of Federico and the Wolf, and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book, simply follow the link below. As always, my newsletter subscribers earn an extra entry. The book will not be published for another six months, so you'll have to wait until then to receive your copy. But it will be worth it!

You must be 18 or older to enter. U.S. addresses only, please. Ends December 7, 2019.

SEE THE COVER AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!





Saturday, November 23, 2019

My 2019 Holiday Book Giving Guide

Board Books

For Christian-themed stories, consider Glenys Nellist's Good News! series. Each book is a sweet and simple introduction to a sound, Biblical concept.










Love is Kind by Laura Sassi is a sweet story with darling illustrations. This board book edition should be in every family's board book collection. 











Picture Books

For a funny read-aloud look for The Great Gran Plan by Elli Woollard, illustrated by Steven Lenton, a fractured fairy tale that combines Little Red Riding Hood with The Three Little Pigs.











In the market for a counting book? One Dark Bird by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Frank Preston-Gannon is a beautifully illustrated lyrical counting book about starlings.











Middle Grade


Fans of historical fiction may enjoy Lifeboat 12, a historical verse novel by Susan Hood. This story is emotionally gripping and fast paced.



If your reader enjoys smart, quirky stories that are darkly funny yet filled with hope, with a splash of magic for good measure, consider Very Rich by Polly Horvath. It's perfect for anyone who enjoyed Ingrid Law's Savvy or Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.








For fantasy fans, look for Dragon Rider: The Griffin's Feather by Cornelia Funke, the long-awaited sequel to Dragon Rider. Also look for the third book in Brandon Mull's Dragonwatch series, Master of the Phantom Isle.










Young Adult

For fans of strange, action-packed science fiction adventure, consider Skyward by Brandon Sanderson.











Toxic by Lydia Kang is another science fiction page turner for readers who enjoy a little romance.