February Issue
Our February line-up includes interviews with Zaila Avant-garde, Mike Yam, Janelle Harper, James Ponti, Dr. Simarjeet Kaur Sandhu, Marcus Cutler, Dev Petty, and Karen Gray Ruelle and Hadley Hooper!
Conrad Storad is seeing red, Judy Newman wants us to read out loud and proud, and Nick Spake reviews Orion and the Dark!
Check out our newest book reviews and winter reading list! It's all inside!
⇓ Scroll down to preview this issue.
FEATURES
One to Watch:
Zaila Avant-garde
by Raven Howell
In 2021, the world cheered for Zaila Avant-garde, when at 14 years old, she became the first African American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. And there was more good news! Zaila was also named SportsKid of the Year in 2021 by Sports Illustrated Kids. Zaila holds two Guinness World Records: the most bounce juggles in one minute with four basketballs and most basketballs (six) dribbled simultaneously by one person. At a young age, she already had an impressive résumé.
People were intrigued by Zaila and how she’d achieved such lofty benchmarks, so she penned the personal anecdotes that shaped her experiences in her New York Times bestseller It’s Not Bragging If It’s True.
As a remarkably inspirational individual, Zaila impels young readers to better cope with obstacles by sharing her own way of choosing how to deal with them.
Her new picture book, Words of Wonder from Z to A, explores motivational words such as RESILIENCE, GRATITUDE, and HOPE. “My favorite word from Words of Wonder right now is UNIQUE,” says Zaila. “I love this word. Sometimes kids who are unique are mistreated or mocked and called ‘weird kids,’ and I want all of those kids to know that their uniqueness is their superpower.”
The book, appropriate for pre-K to second graders, is filled with quotes from famous thought leaders and fascinating information about the origins of these powerful, positive words. “It took me about six or seven months to fully write Words of Wonder,” Zaila acknowledges. “During that period, I would usually dedicate a set amount of time every day to work on coming up with the words, and then revising and editing, and revising and editing some more until my editors at Random House and I were satisfied with the result. My favorite part of the writing process was searching for the inspirational quotes at the end of every letter.”
Mike Yam
Has the Recipe for a Celebration of Family and Culture
by Raven Howell
A new cross-cultural children’s book is making its mark. If you’re a sports fan, you may be familiar with NFL Network and SiriusXM radio sportscaster and studio host, Mike Yam. Mike is adding “children’s author” to his résumé, recently releasing his debut picture book, Fried Rice & Marinara. “The book represents something I did not have as a child—a book featuring an Asian character or a story about a mixed-race family,” he says of the inspiration behind writing the book. “Sadly, a few decades later, things aren’t much better. The fact that children are more likely to read a story featuring a white character, animal, or inanimate object than one about a diverse person is a real problem.”
Fried Rice & Marinara provides a unique perspective. Growing up with a Chinese immigrant father and Italian mother, Mike hopes to offer children of diverse families a story and protagonist to relate to.
“As a kid, I didn’t think anything of the different cultures. I always knew I was Chinese and Italian, but as I got older, I realized my friends didn’t have to think about or balance multiple cultural experiences that were very different. I know family meals are not unique to Chinese and Italian households and that’s why I wanted to use cuisine in the story. I felt like all families, regardless of ethnicity, could relate to the bonding that happens over meals. When I think back to my childhood, I have fond memories of my grandmothers’ meals. I think in many ways it’s how they expressed their love and care for me.”
The story is about little Mikey’s upcoming 4th birthday. Mikey doesn’t know whether to treat his friends to Italian or Chinese food at the party—both are favorites. His grandmothers support Mikey and help out as he embarks on a mission to combine both fried rice and marinara to create a distinct, one-of-a-kind fusion meal. It works! The party is celebrated with diversity and togetherness as the special combination dish unites everyone.
Janelle Harper
Pens a Loving Ode to Her Favorite City
Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who proudly carries her New York accent anywhere she goes. As a veteran New York City public school teacher and children’s book author, she is passionate about representation. She hopes to create stories that make children fall more in love with themselves. She’s drawn to stories that are lyrical, multi-generational, or showcase non-traditional storytelling structures.
In her debut picture book, Janelle celebrates community as she finds beauty in the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx. This energetic text begs to be read aloud and kids will celebrate the staples of city life that they will find familiar across the country.
Illustrated by two-time Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Frank Morrison, this lyrical and proud picture book pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. It’s a love letter to the grit of city life.
Tell us a bit about your background/life growing up in the Bronx.
I grew up in a house next to the house that my mom grew up in. I have some of the fondest childhood memories of growing up in the Bronx, like sitting on our porch and watching basketball games. I would help my dad pick the fruits and vegetables that grew in the garden of our backyard. During the summertime, our neighborhood was full of energy. Kids would be outside all day playing, riding their bikes, jumping Double Dutch, etc. My block had a strong sense of community. Families knew each other and watched out for one another. It was a great place to live and grow up.
Tell us about your career and where you’ve worked before you became a writer. What inspired those career choices?
Prior to becoming a writer, all of my jobs involved working with children. Throughout my life, I was a camp counselor, program director, teaching assistant, dance teacher, classroom teacher, and ministry leader. I love children and get so much joy working with them. I truly believe it’s my life calling. I am the person I am today because of the amazing adults who have shaped, guided, supported, and encouraged me along the way. I am passionate about being that adult for children.
James Ponti
Gives Our Favorite Kid Spies a New Mission
by Raven Howell
Sarah Martinez is a hacker facing years in juvenile detention. When she’s saved by “Mother,” a veteran spy who offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret agency, the adventures begin. Several other kids from various backgrounds are snagged as well and they enter into the covert British Secret Intelligence. These “City Spies” hone unique spy skills to decipher mysteries in the world of espionage.
The City Spies gear up for their newest escapade in the fifth book of the popular series, City Spies: Mission Manhattan.
“In this book, Rio finally gets the chance to take the lead and be the main character,” divulges New York Times bestselling author, James Ponti, a bit surreptitiously. He’s been dying to do this in the other stories, although he finds out that being the focus is not always the best thing. It’s also the first time that Robert/Cairo is with the team from the beginning. Although not everyone is sure that he can be trusted. After all, there was that cliffhanger at the end of book #4.”
James, a Floridian, has always found travel appealing. In childhood, he loved drawing and collecting maps. The City Spies have traveled far and wide, and James has enjoyed the research for his books. “I write about people and places that fascinate and excite me. I love that Mission Manhattan has a big set piece at the New York Public Library and I am pinching myself that next week I am going to be there to share the book and talk about writing with a group of school children from the city.”
With the myriad of interesting spots to explore and write about in New York City, he spent a lot of time contemplating the ones to incorporate into his plot. “A ton of time was spent considering locations, magnified by the fact that my editor, who is very involved from start to finish, has lived her entire life in the city. We talked a lot about places that would be a great background and those that would make for ideal settings. The New York Public Library is the most important and that worked for me on many different levels both practically and thematically. I also wanted the United Nations to be part of it because I thought its international makeup mirrored the team so well.”
Dr. Simarjeet Kaur Sandhu
Sparks Awareness with Her Picture Book Series
As a lifelong lover of reading and writing, Dr. Simarjeet Kaur Sandhu felt inspired to write the books she couldn’t otherwise find—those that included characters who not only looked like her but spoke of her culture and religion.
As a child, Dr. Simi, as she prefers to be called, found herself a victim of bullying and discrimination related to her Sikh background. This moved her to become an educator, teaching English as a second language and creating a learning environment accepting of all people. She also wrote the multicultural children’s book series, The Adventures of Simran & Sehaj, of which a portion of the sales proceeds are donated to Hands2Inspire, an organization Dr. Simi is both founder and president of. Hands2Inspire hosts yearly academic scholarships and gives back to the community in other ways as well.
Dr. Simi’s new book in the series, Five Days in June 1984, summarizes the events of Sri Harmandir Sahib, which occurred in June of 1984. All the books in the series are entertaining and informative for readers. However, the circumstances portray serious situations. Dr. Simi considers this. “I grew up in a household where my grandfather and father used to sit with me and talk to me about these topics. I was just four years old when the attack on the Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji occurred. The event was devastating for Sikhs worldwide. But my grandfather and father knew it was important for me to know what happened. These conversations helped me to address such issues in a way that is easy to understand for children of all ages. It’s imperative for the future generations to know our history and the struggles of Sikhs in India.”
Writing Five Days in June 1984 was particularly meaningful for Dr. Simi. “Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was spreading awareness to Sikhs about the importance of keeping their faith and standing up to the gruesome discrimination that the Indian government was implementing on Sikhs in India.”
Marcus Cutler
Has Created a Monster.…
A big orange creature lurks in a crowded playground ... but don’t worry! He would never eat a child. What do you think he is … a MONSTER? And kids are definitely not disappearing every time you turn a page. You’re imagining things. The monster has nothing to hide! In fact, he loves children. And he would never, ever, ever—oops! There goes another kid....
Marcus Cutler has created a laugh-out-loud story that will keep readers guessing until the end, then send them straight back to the beginning to keep a close eye on the wily monster (and the one kid who knows exactly what he’s up to). We had to learn more!
Tell us a bit about your background/life growing up.
I grew up in a small suburb of Toronto, and it was the most typical ’80s suburban childhood you could imagine, lots of riding bikes, making comics, starting punk bands, and general low-key mischief. Toronto was a 45-minute drive down the highway, and it’s where I studied art at OCAD. I love Toronto, it’s my favorite city.
Tell us about your career and where you’ve worked before you became a writer. What inspired those career choices?
After getting my Fine Arts degree, I did the most obvious thing, I became a general laborer. In my off hours, I worked at learning the business of illustration, which I was completely ignorant of. It took a long time, but I eventually started to make a living out of art. And then I found my true calling, which was illustrating for children, and that led to writing for children.
What inspired you to become a writer?
It still doesn’t feel fully natural to call myself a writer! In fact, it wasn’t until just a few months ago that I changed my website to say, “author/illustrator,” instead of just “illustrator.” But once you start illustrating picture books, it seems it’s inevitable that you’re going to want to try writing them as well. It took about a half-dozen swings and misses before I sold a book, but I learned so much from each one.
Little Green Libraries
Make a Big Difference
by Lindsey Giardino
Through its Little Green Libraries, Story Monsters is making a big impact and bringing a love of learning to more and more students.
Story Monsters’ goal is to provide Little Green Libraries to Title 1 schools, public libraries, hospitals, and various other locations. Currently, every single school in Phoenix’s Balsz School District has their very own Little Green Library.
“I have been producing, promoting, and marketing books since 1985,” says Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters LLC and publisher of Story Monsters Press, as well as Story Monsters Ink. “I consider this my literacy legacy. Each author or individual who generously contributes or becomes a Little Green Library sponsor is becoming a part of that legacy.”
Authors who wish to become a Little Green Library Builder sponsor can do so for $49, which includes the chance to send up to 25 of their books for inclusion in Little Green Libraries.
There’s also a sponsorship at the $750 level, which includes perks like the author’s name being featured on the Little Green Library, inclusion of 25 of their books, an invitation to send more books for future Little Green Libraries at no extra cost, and a half-page ad space in one issue of Story Monsters Ink magazine.
People can also purchase a Little Green Library to donate to their area.
Little Green Libraries especially make an impact at Title 1 schools, as they encourage a love of reading in all students by providing free books for them to enjoy and keep as their own.
“It benefits students by increasing their ability to travel without leaving their home, to make a connection with someone, to discover they are not alone in their challenges, and provides an opportunity to have a conversation with others when discussing the book,” says Antoinette Dominice (Flood), the librarian at Pat Tillman Middle School in the Balsz School District. “I find it sweet when I have students who choose a book, not for themselves, but for a younger sibling.”
Dr. George Barnes, superintendent of the Balsz School District, shares that when the idea was brought to him to have Little Green Libraries at district schools, he was sold.
“We knew our kids needed assistance in literacy, but as we’re working with them, we’re aware that a lot of the issues with our students is not the ability to read, it’s that they’re not exposed to reading as they should be. They just don’t have the books,” he says. “Having these adorable little houses in which students can interact and grab a book as they need gives another level of autonomy.”
Barnes shares that having a home library is a strong indicator of literacy, meaning families that have books in their home have students who read more. It’s all about accessibility, and Little Green Libraries enables students to build their own home library. Being able to own their own book is something special for students.
“At any given time, a kid can grab a book and it’s theirs,” Barnes says.
For Radke, the hope is to give each Title 1 school their own Little Green Library.
“Please help us make this dream legacy come true,” she says. “I am starting with my home state of Arizona but am hoping to expand throughout the country.”
Learn more about Little Green Libraries at storymonsters.com/little-green-library.
Q&A with
Dev Petty
by Julianne Black DiBlasi
Chip the Dog has cat issues. But really, can you blame him? Cats are all purry and fluffy and innocent-looking … but come on. You can’t be online without seeing at least a kajillion instances of photographic evidence showcasing their dark and mysterious ways. What’s really going on inside their little fuzzy ninja brains? Especially that Mittens character. You haven’t heard of Mittens? The Mittens? Ack. Read on.
Thankfully Chip is here to give us some life lessons and tell us all about the dreaded Mittens, as well as make his case for why all cats are simply not to be trusted. If you are already a totally duped cat person, just know there are plenty of support groups available. Survivors of catminionship are all welcome in Chip’s world. Just, you know … use a lint roller before stopping by.
This month we are talking to Dev Petty: sandwich maker, former film painter, and the creator of the Chip the Dog series, which includes Don’t Trust Cats and Don’t Eat Bees.
Q: I read an article that lists sandwich-making among your superpowers. So, this would be ALL sandwiches or something specific? Like are we talking crust-cutting, olive garnish, and perfectly ratioed condiments, or more like gourmet-level chicken salad?
A: Making a salad out of chicken is a line I just won’t cross. Madness. But I’m all in for many others. I have a panini grill and I live in the land of bread (SF Bay Area), so it’s just reasonable I’d be into sandwiches. Love a veg sandwich—avocado, tomato, arugula. Love fresh mozzarella, red onions, pepperoncini on baguette. A quality Reuben, a swell grilled cheese with Gouda and blue cheese. Let’s go get lunch right now.
Q: What was the “ah-ha!” moment you had about leaving the film world and getting into picture books? Was there a specific whack upside the head when you just knew you were ready for a change?
A: A whack?! Wish that it were so. I left the studio seven months pregnant with my first daughter in 2004. Our division of Warner Brothers was shut down. I had a job lined up after the baby arrived, but decided I just couldn’t go back. So I went basically cold turkey from 80-hour weeks to stay-at-home mom. I freelanced a bit, but mostly just raised my daughter. I really couldn’t go back to the studio, though I missed it terribly. I still do to be honest. But then I took a personal essay class (awesome free therapy by the way) and started writing bits and pieces for fun. I started querying picture books and got an agent pretty fast. I was teaching visual effects at that point but very unhappy. Nearly to the day I quit my job, I got my first book deal.
Q: After painting film, how long do you have to let it dry before looping it back on the reel, and how did the lessons learned in one industry help you take on a new direction in literature?
A: SO CLOSE! That sounds very old school, if a little messy. Who hasn’t scratched a laser beam onto a few frames, right? My job was to paint the color and texture of digital 3D objects integrated into live action. Part art, part science, lotsa work. I think the process of working on films certainly informs storytelling. You sit in dailies on an FX production, and you learn how to tell a story visually from front to back and how to be iterative in your work. Picture books are kind of like little wee movies when you think about it. Really their own medium, their own art form. I’m so grateful I have that background.
Karen Gray Ruelle
Hadley Hooper
The Book Bug
Karen Gray Ruelle and Hadley Hooper
Create a Charming Tale of Furry Friendship
by Raven Howell
Sometimes our best friendships come in small, furry, tail-wagging packages. Author Karen Gray Ruelle and illustrator Hadley Hooper celebrate this delightful experience in an endearing tale of longing and happy discovery of kinship. Their children’s book, Jump for Joy (Astra Young Readers), is heartwarmingly appropriate for all ages since everyone understands the passion of a fierce wish and can’t resist a satisfying outcome.
Little Joy has always longed for a dog. She makes imaginative dogs out of snow, out of seashells, sticks, flowers, but none of them last very long. Still, she holds on to her dream of finding the perfect puppy, one to call her own.
Jump has always longed for “a kid.” This dog makes his own creations of the friend he wishes he had. Jump makes his kid sculptures from mud, from sand, from ferns, but again, none of those last. The two, Joy and Jump, mirror each other page after page until, after four seasons pass, alas, they find one another.
“Well, I’ve been crazy about dogs my whole life,” says author Karen Gray Ruelle. “My mom says when I was a toddler, I squealed with glee every time I saw a dog. I really wanted a dog of my own.”
Karen recalls her childhood. “When I was a kid, we moved to London, and I continued asking for a dog. No dice. Then one day, there was a rare English snowfall, and I made a snow dog. I loved Snowy and spent lots of time talking to him—until he melted. But my folks were worried about me talking to an imaginary dog and they finally caved, and we got Angus, a stubborn but adorable Cairn Terrier. As an adult, I keep looking for “my” dog, but I haven’t found her yet. I’ll know her when I see her!”
Now that we’ve established the storyline of Jump for Joy reflects Karen’s real life, she considers exactly how the plot formed. “I kept thinking about how little-kid-me made that dog out of snow because I thought it was the only way I would ever have a dog. The innocence and sweetness of it, and the determination to take care of myself and my needs. And then, one day, this whole story just poured out of me.”
MONTHLY COLUMNS
-
Monsters at the Movies
Orion and the Dark
by Nick Spake -
Life of a Reader
Read as Loud as You Can
by Judy Newman -
Conrad‘s Classroom
Seeing Red
by Conrad J. Storad -
Liv On Life
Ode to My School
by Olivia Amiri -
Kids Corner
Color with Joy!
Word Search
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
Get access to the latest author interviews, book news, and more!
“With each month I'm more impressed with the content of this magazine. It always has something of interest for educators, for parents, and for children in each issue. I find that it does a great job of balancing inspirational messaging with useful information. Great subscription.”
— Review by Amazon Customer, 5 out of 5 stars, “Great subscription”