LET’S ALL SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Chana Stiefel’s newest picture book that launches TODAY:
Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to WAKAWAKALOCH, Happy Birthday to You!
MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH
Written by Chana Stiefel
Illustrated by Mary Sullivan
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers (August 27, 2019)
Here’s a bit about the book:
No one can pronounce Wakawakaloch’s name. Why couldn’t she be called something simple . . . like Gloop? That’s a name you can find on a T-shirt! But after a visit with her village’s elder, Wakawakaloch discovers what her name means, and how powerful names can be. Gloop may be easy to say, but the girl who helps her friends embrace differences and wear their names proudly? Her name is Wakawakaloch!
Folks, I’ve read the story and it is full of heart and humor – definitely a must-have for every home bookshelf and school library!
Here’s a bit about the author:
Chana Stiefel is the author of more than 25 books for kids about exploding volcanoes, stinky castles, and creepy critters. Her picture books include MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH!, illustrated by Mary Sullivan (HMH, 8-27-2019) and DADDY DEPOT, illustrated by Andy Snair (Feiwel & Friends, 2017). Recent non-fiction titles include ANIMAL ZOMBIES, BLOOD-SUCKING BEASTS, CREEPY CREATURES & OTHER REAL-LIFE MONSTERS (National Geographic Kids, 2018), which was selected as a Top Ten YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers in 2019. Chana’s next picture book, LET LIBERTY RISE (illustrated by Chuck Groenink, Scholastic, 2021), reveals the true story of how children helped build the Statue of Liberty. Chana loves visiting schools and libraries and sharing her passion for reading and writing with children. She earned a Master’s degree in Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting from New York University. Chana is represented by agent John M. Cusick at Folio Literary. Follow her @chanastiefel on FB, Twitter, and Instagram. To hear Chana pronounce her name, click here. Learn more at chanastiefel.com.
By the way, the illustrations are fabulous – if you want to find out more about the artist:
And lucky for us, there is a book trailer which you will absolutely LOVE:
And guess what?
The lovely Chana is offering a brand-new, hot-off-the-press copy of WAKAWAKALOCH to one lucky winner…please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. And remember that the best way to show an author that you love a book is to:
Ask your library to purchase a copy for their collection
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week. Please stop by this weekend when we have ANOTHER awesome back to back Perfect Picture Book Friday and Will Write for Cookies with author Barry Wittenstein and his newest picture book: A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech that Inspired a Nation which also launched today.
23 thoughts on “Happy Book Birthday: WAKAWAKALOCH Plus Giveaway”
Happy Birthday Wakawakaloch. Whew! I wrote it without looking in one go. What a beautiful book and am interested in how Chana came by the name or what made her decide on this name. The reason I ask is it has a Maori feel to it.
I’ve been waiting for this one to come out since I first heard about it. Congratulations Chana and Mary! I can’t wait to read MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH. So much fun to say!!!
Fireworks flair for Chana and Mary! What a unique spark their story will light in children who have unusual and not-so-unusual names! Children will wonder about the origins of their own names and discover family stories in the process. I will definitely request the purchase of MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH at our local library. When it arrives, i will sip tea, sit back, and take enormous delight reading in their story. Can’t wait! Sending them continued inspiration and success.
And, Vivian, my gratitude flows at light-speed to you for sharing such stellar picture books with us.
What a clever premise for your story…and such an important story to tell for so many kids! Congratulations Chana and Mary! I can’t wait to read this one!
Happy Birthday Wakawakaloch. Whew! I wrote it without looking in one go. What a beautiful book and am interested in how Chana came by the name or what made her decide on this name. The reason I ask is it has a Maori feel to it.
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This sounds like a fun book! I always enjoy books about names. They are so important to kids as they establish identity.
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What fun!
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Being Sarah with an H, I know how important names are. While my name was pronounced correctly it was often misspelled.
Your book sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it.
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What a wonderful book — and what a wonderful name. Wishing you and Wakawakaloch the best of success, Chana!
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I am also a daily subscriber 🙂
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This book looks wonderful~ fun, funny, and with an important concept~ looking forward to reading it!
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I’ve been waiting for this one to come out since I first heard about it. Congratulations Chana and Mary! I can’t wait to read MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH. So much fun to say!!!
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This definitely sounds like a book my granddaughter would love to read! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
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Looks fabulous! As a Lauri-without-an-e, even Siri can’t say my name right (It’s just regular old Lauri!)
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Fireworks flair for Chana and Mary! What a unique spark their story will light in children who have unusual and not-so-unusual names! Children will wonder about the origins of their own names and discover family stories in the process. I will definitely request the purchase of MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH at our local library. When it arrives, i will sip tea, sit back, and take enormous delight reading in their story. Can’t wait! Sending them continued inspiration and success.
And, Vivian, my gratitude flows at light-speed to you for sharing such stellar picture books with us.
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So much fun language here! Can’t wait for read this and have fun reading it aloud to the kiddos around me. Congratulations and Happy Book Birthday!!!
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Congratulations, Chana! 💕 A name that is oh-so-special to me because it’s also my daughter’s name.
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Great idea for a picture book! The name feels like a dance on my tongue!
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I love to read humorous picture books and this one is unique. The illustrations look so much fun too. Happy book birthday!
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What a clever premise for your story…and such an important story to tell for so many kids! Congratulations Chana and Mary! I can’t wait to read this one!
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Sounds like a fun read-aloud. Looking forward to reading it!
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I love that this book celebrates difference in girls.
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How exciting to have another book by Chana. I can’t wait to take a look.
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Congratulations on your book, Chana! Can’t wait to get a copy!
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What a fun premise for a book! Way to go!
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