Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I’ve had today’s featured book on my radar for quite a while – it’s by one of my Storm Literary Agency sisters, Rachel Noble. I actually met Rachel when I attended the Australia/New Zealand SCBWI conference in Sydney a few years ago. We’ve turned the spotlight on a couple of her previous books – and when I read this one, I knew I needed to share it with all of you.

PEAS IN A POD

Wirtten by Rachel Noble

Illustrated by Katie Rewse

Published by Amicus Ink

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Loss, step-parents, SEL

Synopsis: From Amazon:
Sophie is finally getting used to having just her Dad around after her mother died. Things are going smoothly—Sophie and her dad are like two peas in a pod. But when Sarah and her dog Billy come along, everything changes. Will there be room for more peas in the pod?

Written by Rachel Noble and illustrated by Katie Rewse, this picture book will help any child who has had to adjust to a parent having a new partner.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love the story because it’s so relatable for many kids who lose a parent and then need to adjust to a new relationship.
2. I love the kid-appropriate text and the authenticity as we see how the main character is feeling.
3. I love the beautiful art that pulls us into the story.

Here’s a little bit about author Rachel Noble and how you can connect with her:

Author Rachel Noble worked as a journalist, radio producer, and presenter before becoming a children’s writer. Peas in a Pod is her third picture book, after Marty (Holiday House, 2021) and Finn’s Feather (Enchanted Lion, 2018). She lives in Australia with her husband, four children, and her naughty puppy named Eddie.
https://rachelnobleauthor.com/about/

And here’s a little bit about illustrator Kate Rewse:
Illustrator Katie Rewse lives on the south coast of England. Specializing in children’s book illustration, Katie is particularly interested in how illustration can inspire positive change. In 2020, she was short-listed for the World Illustration Awards. Katie finds inspiration in the outdoors, travel, and adventure, and when she is not drawing, she enjoys exploring the coast with her husband in their camper van.
https://www.katierewse.com/

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
It’s not easy for children when new people come into their lives. And loss isn’t easy, at any age. Books like PEAS IN A POD can help kids find their voice to express how they are feeling – and find room in their heart to embrace new relationships. Reassurance that they are loved, regardless of the changes, is paramount. And participating in family activities can help, whether it’s a scooter outing, like in the book, or preparing meals together, or piecing together a puzzle,

And guess what? You all probably already know this, but I discovered that you can make your own puzzle from a family photo or collection of photos. Wouldn’t that be amazing for a kid to work on together with the special people in their life? You can take a photo that you love, mount it on cardboard, and cut it into pieces – and have fun putting the pieces together. OR, you can actually order it from a company (there are several out there that do this) – all you need is the photo – and they will create a professional puzzle for you. And here’s a YouTube video to help you choose the best photo/photos:

This also makes a great gift for any occasion. As does a copy of PEAS IN A POD! I hope you get a chance to read this book – you can reserve it at your local library. But if you can’t find it there, you can purchase a copy from Amazon, or your local indie bookseller.

I can’t believe it’s already the weekend and we are already in the middle of September! Fall in New England is such a beautiful time of year.