On The LOOKOUT for Kids’ Books SPRING 2020!

Today we’re taking a look at new picture books coming out this spring from our friends at The Soaring ‘20s High Flying Picture Book Debuts!

Jennifer Malia

Question: Share a story about your connection to reading as a kid. Do you have favorite books/reading memories from childhood? Did you like to read?
Answer: I was a selectively mute child, which means I normally didn’t talk much to anyone except close family. Reading was a welcome escape for me when I was overwhelmed by the chaos of everyday life as an autistic kid. I loved my adventures in the world of books, especially Nancy Drew mysteries.
TOO STICKY: SENSORY ISSUES WITH AUTISM by Jennifer Malia
Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Available April 1, 2020, Albert Whitman & Co.

Kirsten Larson

Question: Share a story about your connection to reading as a kid. Do you have favorite books/reading memories from childhood? Did you like to read?
Answer: When I was growing up, my mom worked as a preschool and elementary school teacher, so our house was always full of children’s books. I have so many wonderful memories of reading, but one that sticks out is the first time I read A WRINKLE IN TIME (Madeleine L’Engle) as part of the library’s summer reading program. I remember being fascinated by the idea of black holes and space travel, which probably helped shape the types of books I enjoy writing today.
WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: EMMA LILIAN TODD INVENTS AN AIRPLANE by Kirsten Larson
Illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Available Feb. 25, 2020, Calkins Creek

Kelly Carey

Question: Share a story about your connection to reading as a kid. Do you have favorite books/reading memories from childhood? Did you like to read?
Answer: When I was in elementary school, I got a signed copy of Stephen Kellogg’s Island of the Skog. It’s my favorite picture book because Stephen Kellogg lived in the same town that I grew up in. Holding his book in my hands, the one he had written my name in with big bubble letters, and knowing that he lived where I lived made me think, for the first time, that I could be a writer.
HOW LONG IS FOREVER? by Kelly Carey
Illustrated by Qing Zhuang
Available April 7, 2020, Charlesbridge Publishing

Vicky Fang

Question: Share a story about your connection to reading as a kid. Do you have favorite books/reading memories from childhood? Did you like to read?
Answer: My earliest reading memory is reading with my mom on her bed. We were reading Charlotte’s Web, which was my first chapter book and I loved it so much! From there, I couldn’t stop reading: I went on to read lots of E.B. White books, Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books, Narnia books, and then lots and lots of magic and fantasy books.
INVENT-A-PET by Vicky Fang
Illustrated by Tidawan Thaipinnarong
Available May 5 2020, Sterling Children’s Books
LAYLA & THE BOTS by Vicky Fang
Illustrated by Christine Nishiyama
Available May 5 2020, Scholastic Branches

Larissa & Keith Marantz

Question: Share a story about your connection to reading as a kid. Do you have favorite books/reading memories from childhood? Did you like to read?
Answer: I loved to read as a child and I still love to read. I often check out the maximum number of library books! My library habit started early because I lived next door to a library and I spent a lot of time there. My favorite books to read were Choose Your Own Adventure books and the Encyclopedia Brown chapter books.
CLYDE GOES TO SCHOOL & CLYDE LIKES TO SLIDE by Keith Marantz
Illustrated by Larissa Marantz
Available April 14, 2020, Penguin Workshop

Anna Redding

Question: Share a story about your connection to reading as a kid. Do you have favorite books/reading memories from childhood? Did you like to read?
Answer: I loved reading Nancy Drew books when I was in middle school. The idea of this girl detective out solving mysteries just captured my imagination. Her smarts, curiosity, and agency really inspired me!
RESCUING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE by Anna Redding
Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Available April 14, 2020, HarperCollins