Little Lit Book Series: Writers and Writing

This month we’re sharing books about writers and writing for #littlelitbookseries.

“Yes, it all began so well,

There was I down in my writing shed:

early morning, cup of coffee,

blank page, teeming brain.”

An author starts off writing the best book ever about a “desperate, crafty, sneaking crocodile” and is on a roll.  He’s pounding out verses at a pretty good clip until flying cats, spilling cups of coffee and a forgotten-about family vacation to the seaside happen.  And then, horror of horrors — paper-eating snails.  But that’s not all that can go wrong before this poor chap’s book can make it to print — oh no, that is not all.  It’s shaping up to be the worst book ever.

A highly amusing story about the writing process.  If you’re a fan of Allan Ahlberg’s work, seek this one out.  He delivers hilarity, high jinks (many of them involving four-year-olds) and some really funny laugh-out-loud moments in MY WORST BOOK EVER.  Illustrated by Bruce Ingman and published by Thames & Hudson, it’ll be out on April 17.

Visit @littlelitbookseries to see other books about writers/writing throughout the month and head over to #littlelitbookseries on Instagram to find out what everyone else is sharing today.

The Town of Turtle

The story of a little turtle who lives a lonely, solitary life on a desolate planet in a far off part of the world.  He dreams of a better home and some company to go with it.  He sets off to “make some renovations to his shell” and keeps building until “the last drops of sunlight and paint.”  One thing leads to another, and before he knows it, he’s built a library, a school and an ice-skating rink, all on the back of his shell!  Can you imagine what happens next?  Yes, something magical.  The Town of Turtle is of the most gorgeously ethereal, tenderhearted stories we’ve encountered in a while and it will leave a beautiful, indelible mark in your mind and heart.

The Town of Turtle was written by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Catia Chien and published by HMH Books for Young Readers.  It’s out on April 10.

Everything You Need for a Treehouse

A lyrical, glorious ode to treehouses and the imaginative, adventurous children who dream them up.  We can’t even begin to tell you how beautiful this book is, inside and out.  It epitomizes the best aspects of childhood — its unfettered creativity, wild imagination, ingenious resourcefulness and inexhaustible magic.  This book is tremendous, and is the type to keep on giving with each read.  If you buy one book this spring...this should most definitely be it.

Everything You Need for a Treehouse was written by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Emily Hughes  and published by Chronicle Books.  It’ll be out soon on April 10.

shaking things up: 14 young women who changed the world

“Every choice we make can be a celebration of the world we want.” — Francis Moore Lappé

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” — Mae Jemison

“There’s a moment when you have to choose whether to be silent or to stand up.” — Malala Yousafzai

Our world wouldn’t be what it is today without these 14 women who did extraordinary things at a young age, like Maya Lin who won a competition for her design of the Vietnam Memorial but who had to defend her vision before Congress due to her young age, gender and ethnicity.  Pura Belpré was the first Latina librarian to work in the New York Public Library and the first to reach out to Spanish-speaking communities.  When she saw a great need for children’s books in Spanish, she wrote them herself— many books.  Her Perez y Martina was the first Spanish book for children put out in mainstream publishing.  She also translated many children’s books into Spanish.

Susan Hood’s poetic biographies of these revolutionary women are accompanied by portraits, each illustrated by a different female artist — making it a categorically unique, inspiring and powerful book.  Included are a timeline, a moving author’s note and an abundance of resources for further reading.

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World was written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, Hadley Hooper, Lisa Brown, Emily Winfield Martin, Sara Palacios, Erin K. Robinson, Sophie Blackall, Melissa Sweet, Oge Mora, Isabel Roxas, Julie Morstad , LeUyen Pham and Selina Alko.  Published by HarperCollins.

Alma

Little Alma is curious to know the story of her long name — Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, to be exact!  Her father sits her down to tell her the long, rich history behind each and every part of that long name of hers.  She learns about the smart, strong-minded women that she’s named after, and their their special qualities, as well as her artistic grandfather who taught his children “to see and love” their people.  Our favorite member of Alma’s family is Candela, not only for her fiery name, but for how she “always stood up for what was right.”

It’s an absolutely beautiful book for kids who are curious about their own names.  They’ll realize that their names were intentionally chosen just for them and that there is significance, love and history behind them.  And, like Alma, they’re writing their own story day by day.  This story spoke to our hearts and is definitely one of our favorites published this year.

Alma and How She Got Her Name was written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and published by Candlewick Press .  It’ll be out soon on April 10 and is available for pre-order now.