Perfect Picture Book Friday: TRICKY CHOPSTICKS Plus Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book is only a FEW DAYS OLD! So, let’s all sing a Happy Belated Birthday to TRICKY CHOPSTICKS!!!

TRICKY CHOPSTICKS

Written by Sylvia Chen

Illustrated by Fanny Liem

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (March 19, 2024)

Ages:4-8

Themes: Determination, Creativity, Asian Culture

Synopsis from Amazon:
Jenny Chow struggles with chopsticks—aiya, those slippery, oh-so-tricky chopsticks! But cousin Victor’s birthday party is just around the corner, along with her family’s annual chopsticks challenge. Jenny doesn’t want to be the only Chow who never learns how to use the utensils. She’ll do whatever it takes to prove she can hold her own in her family’s long-held tradition—no matter how many experiments she wobbles and fumbles through.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love the humor and the heart that author Sylvia employs as the MC tries so many ways to perfect her use of chopsticks.
2. I love the vibrant palette of illustrator Fanny – the art will keep kids engaged and turning the pages.
3. I love how the book becomes a true windows and mirrors for readers…children whose families use chopsticks will feel seen – and other children will learn about a culture different from their own.

Growing up in NYC, I had many experiences eating all different types of foods. My dad loved eating out – we’d probably go once a week. And the choice was either Italian (my favorite was lasagna), deli (I’d always order a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard – and a square potato knish) or Chinese. The really funny thing is that I was an extremely picky eater – and would only eat the white rice and crispy noodles – and my parents had to pay an extra 25 cents for my plate because the restaurant had a policy that each person had to order a meal. Of course, now I eat EVERYTHING – and have had octopus and roast chicken for breakfast in Barcelona – and fresh oysters and sea urchin for breakfast in Aix en Provence.

I apologize to Sylvia for getting a bit off-topic…she stopped in to chat and has been waiting patiently to share a little bit about her path to publication for this beautiful book.

ME: WELCOME, Sylvia! Thank you so much for dropping in. And thank you for the lovely giveaway you are offering – winner’s choice of a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom OR a signed copy of your book plus surprise swag!
Sylvia, before I went down the rabbit hole of childhood restaurant experiences, you were going to tell us about a couple of humorous moments on the path to publication…can you share?

SYLVIA: Hi Vivian. Thank you so much for having me! And yes, I have two moments to share.
First extra fond (and funny!) memory: Before the deal for TRICKY CHOPSTICKS came true, I had received an R&R opportunity from my editor. After we had the chance to video-chat and clarify some comments and goals for the R&R, I huddled and hustled to revise every moment I could! At the time, my in-laws lived with us, so my cozy writing space was in the closet. Late one night, I kept brainstorming and wordsmithing in the glow of my laptop screen, and along with tweaking the text, I added some art notes. A couple of times that night, a cheeky-but-perfect-for-that-scene art note scurried onto the screen and made me LOL. Each time that happened, I just knew that part of the revision was a keeper. And luckily, my editor agreed and accepted the R&R!

Second LOLOL memory: I was so lucky that every once in a while, my editor would send me sneak peeks of Fanny Liem’s sketches and illustrations. I absolutely love all the amazing and hilarious illustrations she created for TRICKY CHOPSTICKS. I mean, just look at the cover! But I still remember seeing the initial black and white sketch for the first spread in the book and it just made me laugh and laugh and laugh, totally tickled pink! I’m in sheer awe of how Fanny was able to amp up the humor of our book with her incredible illustrations.

Thank you so much, Sylvia. And I agree…the illustrations are AMAZING!

Here’s a little bit about Sylvia and how to connect with her and order her book:
A New Yorker now living in the Seattle area with her husband and two sons, Sylvia Chen is an Asian American children’s book author represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Birch Path Literary. Sylvia is a member of SCBWI and 12×12, a #PBParty Judge (and Ninja Rockstar!) since 2022, a 2023 and 2022 #PBRisingStars mentor, and the creator of #PBStudyBuddy, which features amazing picture book creators and mentor texts (plus occasional #Kidlit giveaways) on Twitter/X, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads for fellow creators, teachers, and librarians. Ever so excited about her debut picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (March 19, 2024; Atheneum/Simon & Schuster), Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. She often stays up late into the night puzzling away with wordplay and working on quirky ideas. 

Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SylviaiChen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylviaichen/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sylviaichen.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sylviaichen
Website: https://www.sylviaichen.com/
Book website: https://www.trickychopsticks.com/
Preferred link to order an author-signed copy of TRICKY CHOPSTICKS via Sylvia’s local indie (US shipping or pick-up only; Sylvia goes to this bookstore pretty often, but please allow for extra time for signing, especially if you specify a personalization request. If you know Sylvia personally, please say so in the order notes too so she can make sure to add a special note if she can):: https://www.brickandmortarbooks.com/item/uhkEB3h562uLvmihVmDOFw

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
There are so many things you can do with disposable chopsticks other than disposing of them. From the simple – making painted lollipops

Photo courtesy: https://www.allabouthope.net/projects/2020/7/20/cardboard-and-chopstick-lollipops

To the more complicated – crafting beautiful doll furniture:

Thank you all for spending your precious time here with us.
Please remember to leave a comment for a chance to win the fabulous giveaway of either a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything chat with Sylvia OR a signed copy of TRICKY CHOPSTICKS. Book can only be mailed to U.S. addresses…please let us know in the comments which prize you’d prefer if you are the lucky winner.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Book Birthday: ELINOR MCGRATH PET DOCTOR: The Story of America’s First Female Veterinarian

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New books! Hurray! Don’t get me wrong – I love old books, too! But there’s something so special about welcoming a new one to the world – ESPECIALLY if I know the author and had a chance to see early drafts of the manuscript…more about that later from the author, the lovely Jacqueline Johnson.

Written by Jacqueline Johnson – Illustrated by Alette Straathof – Published by Beaming Books

There is so much to LOVE about this book:
THE COVER: Doesn’t it just beg to be picked up? The illustrator, Alette Straathof, is a true artist – she captures Elinor’s connection with animals – and captures our hearts!
THE TOPIC: We need as many books as we can get that showcase strong women who blazed new paths – young readers need to believe that no matter who we are, we can accomplish great things.
THE STORY AND THE BACK MATTER AND THE END PAPERS: Oh, that’s right…you can’t see those…but I’ll tell you a little bit – and I hope you’ll run out and buy a copy from your local indie or order a copy online or ask your local library to get copies for their shelves – and of course, you can add it to your Goodreads Want To Read Shelf..

Here’s a little bit about the story from the Amazon sales page:
I can do this! Elinor rolled up her sleeves. She was smart enough. She was strong enough.

When Elinor McGrath decided she wanted to be a veterinarian, the world told her no. It was 1907, and that job was not considered suitable for women. Even after she was accepted into veterinary school, the 137 male students in her class made it clear she was not welcome. Yet despite constant criticism, Elinor persevered. She could see that the future was changing and was determined to show the world of veterinary medicine that accepting women wasn’t the only change the profession needed.

Written by a small-animal veterinarian, Elinor McGrath, Pet Doctor tells the true story of the first woman veterinarian in the US. Backmatter highlights Elinor’s career as well as other pioneering women vets from around the world.

And here’s a little bit about the path to publication from author Jacqueline:

JACQUELINE:
Path to Publication for Elinor McGrath, Pet Doctor
I started toying wih the idea for Elinor back in 2022. As a vet, I found her story pretty fascinating, but I kept putting it aside because there was pretty limited information on her. I wasn’t agented at the time, so I was pretty into pitch contests. I may have pitched Elinor before it was *ahem* 100% written, but I got a like on it. So I buckled down and got to work.

That first like didn’t pan out, but I entered the manuscript into the PBParty contest (after working on it with you, Vivian!), and was thrilled to make it into the showcase. I got some interest from a few agents and editors, and eventually I got an offer from Beaming Books.

Challenges
Writing is super hard! I have ADHD, so I get really excited by a new project, and before I’ve finished I get another idea, so the first story gets left unfinished while I move on to the shiny new idea, and then the cycle continues. I’ve got a backlist of at least dozen manuscripts, from picture books to middle grade to an adult historical novel-in-verse, all in various stages of completion. So, if anyone has any tips on how to stick with just one until it’s finished, I’m all ears!

And here’s a little bit about Jacqueline and how you can connect with her:
Jacqueline Johnson writes books and fixes pets and sometimes even writes books about fixing pets.

Before having children, she was an avid reader of all things young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. Now with two children under 7, two dogs, two cats, four fish tanks and a tortoise, finding time for 1000+ page epic fantasy series has become difficult – so she discovered a new love for picture books, a genre where she can read multiple books every day!

Jacqueline finds inspiration everywhere, and has a particular passion for writing about little-known events in history. 
She is an avid lover of ’80s glam rock, black licorice and dog with beards.

Social Media
Twitter: @thevetwrites
Instagram: @jjohnsonbooks

Dear friends, I hope you are intrigued and can’t wait to read this fabulous story!
And good news: I’m almost finished reading the 672 entries for #50PreciousWords…and then I’ll be correlating the feedback from the judges and meeting with them to discuss.
Plus more good news: the pile of books for the #50PreciousWords Literacy Initiative continues to grow…at The Bookery bookstore in Manchester – and in the corner in my room where I am collecting those books that folks have mailed directly to me.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Happy Book Birthday AND Perfect Picture Book Friday: JUST FLOWERS

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Sometimes a book comes along that is so inclusive, I want to HUG the author and illustrator! And guess what? This brand-new, just-launched-today book by author Erin Dealey and illustrator Kate Cosgrove is exactly that! Each page BURSTS with individuals who have long been marginalized…and they appear in the most natural and organic of ways – huge congratulations to the publisher, Sleeping Bear Press, for giving the world such a beautiful and much-needed book!

I hope you’ll join me in a rousing Happy Birthday to You for JUST FLOWERS!

JUST FLOWERS

Written by Erin Dealey

Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

Ages: 4-8

Themes:

Synopsis from Amazon:
Izzy’s new neighbor is a bit of a grump–though they are both botanically inclined. When the neighbor discovers unwanted flowers–again and again–in his precious rose garden, he bids Izzy to take them away. Izzy does–and uses the blooms to brighten someone else’s day. Before long, the town is bursting with Izzy’s flowers. The grumpy neighbor doesn’t see the fuss. “They’re JUST FLOWERS!” he yells. “Just flowers” that brought joy and color to everyone in town. Can Izzy finally get that neighbor to accept the bloom of friendship? Back matter includes a seek-and-find and information on the flowers mentioned in the book.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love stories that encourage children to have hope and share kindness.
2. I love stories that burst with inclusivity – important characters and characters in leadership roles have all types of disabilities – we see the principal has a prosthetic leg, a child in a wheelchair – and are of all nationalities and colors and genders.
3. I love stories that are filled with fabulous art – the illustrations are so joyful – even the grumpy old neighbor!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Flower Crafts for Kids

Photo courtesy: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/52654/21-flower-crafts-for-kids/

Check out this link for detailed instructions on 25 awesome flower craft activities for kids: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/52654/21-flower-crafts-for-kids/

And please remember that the best way to help beautiful books become a success is to:
Buy them
Review them
Add them to your Goodreads Want to Read Shelf
Tell friends about them (please share this post on your social media
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. Speaking about precious…
we are still working our way through all 672 awesome contest submissions…not sure if another week will do it…but I’ll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, I spoke to Cassie at The Bookery bookstore in Manchester. She says she has about 70 books in the #50PreciousWords pile. Thank you to all who have purchased books! And I also have about 30 books that have been mailed to me by authors…plus about 50 books sent to me from publishers which I plan to add to the pile.

Of course, I’m hoping we are not done – please remember there are kids out there whose lives will change because of the books they read in their classroom or school library – and with the Literacy Initiative, we are helping to provide those books. If you participated in #50PreciousWords and haven’t ordered a book yet but are able to now, here is the bookstore online website: https://www.shopbookerymht.com/
And here is their phone number if you prefer to order with a person: (603) 836-6600
Maybe someone will order JUST FLOWERS! Or CHRISTMAS AHOY! Or DEAR EARTH: FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5 or some of Erin Dealey’s other fabulous books!

And here is a link to the latest PW issue that features a Q&A celebrating Women’s History Month – I think you’ll recognize at least one of the authors! I’m honored to join such an A-list group.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends. And remember the message of JUST FLOWERS! Please share beauty and kindness. The Universe needs to be fed positive energy – and that energy comes from us.