Preorder Discount for A Sweet New Year for Ren

My next book A SWEET NEW YEAR FOR REN comes out in a little over two months on November 15!  Barnes & Noble is offering 25% off preorders with the code PREORDER25 from September 7-9.

Little Ren looks forward to the preparation for and festivities of Lunar New Year, but she is always too little to help make the delicious pineapple cakes that are her favorite.  She watches family members rolling out the dough and loves the mouth-watering smell. Watching and waiting, when will Ren be old enough?

Growing up, I loved hearing my father tell stories about his childhood in the Philippines, and to this day, I still do.  A SWEET NEW YEAR FOR REN was inspired by our Chinese heritage, by stories of my dad celebrating Lunar New Year as a boy and by my family’s love for traditions and beautiful times spent together throughout the years.

Pineapples symbolize good fortune and prosperity in Chinese and Taiwanese cultures.  Pineapple cakes originated in Taiwan and are often given as gifts wherever Lunar New Year is celebrated.  In Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, pineapple tarts are also baked and enjoyed during Lunar New Year.  A recipe by my dear friend and food writer/artist Bonnie Eng is included!

A Sweet New Year for Ren was illustrated by the incredible Dung Ho, published by Simon & Schuster and will be out on November 15!

If You Find a Leaf

A heat wave is swallowing us up in Southern California at the moment yet all I can think of is cozy sweaters and bubbling apple pies.  Enter Aimee Sicuro’s newest picture book which explores the magic of fall leaves and their endless imaginative possibilities.  A leaf is just a leaf until it becomes a swaying hammock, a breezy parachute or a boat that takes you far away.  This lovely, whimsical ode to autumn will have you dreaming about finding the first perfectly crunchy ochre leaf of the season. 🍁🍂

If You Find a Leaf was written and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro and published by Random House Studio.

The Little Artists’ Big Book of Activities and Recycle and Play

I’m so, SO excited to see these two books out in the world.  They’re two books I wish I had when my kids were younger, and they were written by some of my favorite creatives on Instagram — @ohcreativeday and @hellowonderful_co!  In a world where every day feels increasingly more digital and digitized, it’s important to continue to interact with tangible objects and traditional forms of art-making which have much to offer in terms of cognitive and linguistic gains, and of course, the enjoyment of creating something with our own hands. Watch this reel for a preview of the interiors.

In The Little Artists’ Big Book of Activities, children are inspired by elements like color, shapes, patterns and feelings to create portraits, sculptures, collages and more.  Shannon shows us the beauty of symmetry and how we can create mini art galleries.  She discusses different artists’ methods and the influence their art bears on the world, in a way that’s accessible and meaningful for young artists.  I love the inspired collaborative paintings à la Helen Frankenthaler, collage cityscapes and plastic toys being transformed into sculptures inspired by Japanese artist and social activist Hiroshi Fuji.  But really, I love it all.  So well done, Shannon!

The Little Artists’ Big Book of Activities was written by Shannon Wong-Nizic and published by Page Street Kids.

In Recycle and Play, everyday materials are cleverly turned into creative projects such as mazes, puzzles, and opportunities to practice early math and reading skills.  I just adore the cardboard box tv, alligator letter feed and threaded egg carton flowers.  These projects are so much more than playthings — they are thoughtful invitations to create, natural lessons in engineering, opportunities for self-expression and wonderful avenues for collaboration between parents and little ones.  Brilliantly written by Agnes Hsu — someone who inspires me endlessly!

Recycle and Play: Awesome DIY Zero-Waste Projects to Make for Kids was written by Agnes Hsu and published by Quarry Books.

The I Wonder Bookstore

Let’s take a minute to judge a book by its cover, shall we?  Yes, this one’s as wondrous and whimsical as it looks.  From book-growing trees to boot camp for bookstore employees to around-the-world-reading trips, these pages will resonate profoundly  with lovers of the written word.  in profound A book for the most devoted of readers, bookstore-dwellers and embracers of tsundoku.

The I Wonder Bookstore was written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake and published by Chronicle Books.

Creepy Crayon!

Jasper’s curiosity and mischief mire him in yet another creepy dilemma, this one involving a seemingly ordinary purple crayon.  Things are looking up as the crayon intervenes in Jasper’s life and brings him nothing but good things.  But slowly and surely, things spiral out of control.  The third installment in this brilliantly creepy series will be in bookstores on August 23.

Creepy Crayon! was written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.