Welcome, dear friends! It’s always a pleasure to celebrate the launch of a new book with a Happy Book Birthday post. And today, my joy is unmeasurable…since the new book is actually one of mine!
When my editor asked me to write a sequel to the popular PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE, I was thrilled. And with talented illustrator Jill Weber on board again, I knew the book would be magical…and I was not disappointed! Every page bursts with color and action!
Join Pippa’s generous friends and neighbors as they come together as a community in this joyful companion to Pippa’s Passover Plate.
Filled with rhymes and repetition, this is a perfect title to share and read aloud as you celebrate your own Hanukkah festivities! Pippa loves everything about her Hanukkah latkes—making them; eating them; and most of all, sharing them! But when her ingredients go missing, Pippa’s dinner guests become Hanukkah helpers as she searches the whimsical winter landscape.
When a surprise twist brings the latke ingredients and new guests to her table, Pippa is thrilled to have gathered the most important ingredient for any holiday meal: a community to enjoy it with.
An end note explains the origins and meaning of the holiday—with special attention to everyone’s favorite traditions like chocolate gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in foil) and the game of dreidel (spinning top).
Just in time for Hanukkah, this joyful story will bring smiles to our youngest story lovers…and by following the illustration clues, kids will be eager to solve the mystery of the missing potatoes.
Please help this story about community, compassion, and kindness become a success. You can: Buy the book (the link is from Bookshop.org, but you can purchase it on Amazon or from your local indie bookstore) Review the book (on Amazon or any other review site) Tell friends about the book (share on your social media and TAG 2 friends) Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection
To enter the giveaway of a signed copy of PIPPA’S HANUKKAH HUNT, please do at least ONE of the above…and in the comments, let me know what you have done. If you do more than one, you’ll receive extra chances in the giveaway hat.
And, if you didn’t get a chance to see the unboxing video on Facebook, here it is.
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! I always love sharing brand-new picture books…and when they are written by a dear kid-lit friend, it’s even more fun. And today, I’m sharing a book that is a TRIPLE pleasure for me…it’s brand-new…it’s written by a dear kid-lit friend, Alayne Kay Christian…and that friend is a long-time critique buddy of mine (part of my very first critique group formed in 2012) and so I saw early drafts of this wonderful story: TURKEY ON THE RUN!
TURKEY ON THE RUN!
Written by Alayne Kay Christian
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Published by Flamingo Books (imprint of PRH) [September 29, 2026)
Ages: 4-8
Themes: Courage, ingenuity, Thanksgiving
Synopsis: You won’t catch this turkey for your roasting pan—Turkey on the Run! A feather-filled fiasco about a turkey determined to see the dawn of another Thanksgiving Day. As the whole town gives chase, this plucky bird dashes, dodges, and schemes his way towards freedom, only to discover that what waits at the end of the dining tale might not be as disastrous as he originally suspected. Told in bouncy, rhyming verse that fans of The Gingerbread Man will gobble right up, this spirited twist on the traditional holiday tale is stuffed with humor, heart, and holiday cheer.
“A silly caper filled with Thanksgiving fun.” – Kirkus Reviews
“An autumnal color scheme and comical digital images convey a harried urgency befitting Turkey’s predicament. This fast-moving comedy is perfect for turkey trot and tofurkey lovers.” —Publishers Weekly
Why I Love This Book: 1. I love rollicking rhyme that provides the perfect read-aloud! 2. I love the fabulous humor…and the ingenuity of the turkey! 3. I love the engaging, I-can’t-wait-to-turn-the-page-to-see-the-next-one illustrations!
RELATED ACTIVITIES: TURKEY AND FALL CRAFTS A note from author Alayne: If you would like a list of links to various turkey and fall crafts, you will find them in my free downloadable teacher’s guide on my website. https://alaynekaychristianauthor.com/teacher-guides-school-visits
ME: And Alayne has more to share with us because she graciously agreed to stop by to give us the story behind the story…your inspiration for it…and more! Welcome, Alayne! It’s lovely to chat with you!
ALAYNE: I’m so glad to be here! First, I want to thank you, Vivian, for featuring Turkey On the Run! for your Picture Book Friday selection this week. And thanks to Susanna Leonard Hill who started this fantastic and informative weekly event way, way back when. Now for my inspiration. . . .
Over twenty-five years ago, I had made a Thanksgiving card with three views of a turkey running around with speech bubbles saying,
“Did you know 90% of Americans prefer ham for Thanksgiving?”
“What? You’ve never heard of pizza?”
“Think of your health! This would be a great time to start a vegetarian diet.”
I thought it was funny, and was quite impressed with my humor. Now, that I’ve revisited that memory, I kind of wish I had modified those lines to rhyme for Turkey On the Run! Who knows, maybe there will be a chance in the future.
The basic idea of a turkey trying to convince people to eat anything but turkey never left me. But how in the world would I execute it in a picture book? I thought, and I thought until I started noticing fractured fairy tales. I also think there may have been some blog posts about reimagining classic fairy tales. And one day, it hit me. The Gingerbread man running . . . Turkey running. What is he running from? Just like in The Gingerbread Man, maybe he runs from the little old lady and the little old man. And what rhymes with “man” besides “can?” “Pan!” To be more specific roasting pan. Escaping the fate of a roasting pan is great character motivation, and things grew from there.
It wasn’t originally in rhyme other than the “run, run, run as fast as you can” part. And it was long and clunky because I was trying too hard to stick to The Gingerbread Man structure too closely. Now, I understand that would have been a big mistake. I had to make the story my own, and eventually I got there.
CHALLENGING MOMENTS
Finding the right structure and killing my original darlings took me a very long time. Another challenge that I feared rhyme, and for good reason. Even after taking Renée LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab. But that course inspired me to at least try. And try I did. It wasn’t until I had much more practice with rhyme that it finally started to come together.
Gaining confidence or maybe I should say lack of confidence was a big challenge. I submitted it to an editor here and an editor there—no more than a handful of times. I pitched it a lot on Twitter pitches and such. But I convinced myself it had no real potential. All along, I kept trying to perfect it. And then one day, I got a request from the pitch I posted! And the rest is history. I am so grateful that my agent, Jackie Kruzie and my editor, Claire Tattersfield both saw the potential in this fun story.
HUMOROUS INCIDENTS
I appreciate that Claire has a similar dark side as mine. Together, we thought it would be very funny for the adult readers of Turkey On the Run! if perhaps in the background of the Turkey Trot dinner scene, there were people with a grocery store plucked turkey on a stick going into an outdoor turkey fryer. The thought still cracks me up. But, either fortunately or unfortunately, the powers that be said that it would be too dark for this picture book.
However, they didn’t have a problem with Turkey’s seat of honor at the dinner table looking a lot like a serving platter, which I think is hilarious. When it comes to humor, I must give credit to Neha Rawat. She did an amazing job of bringing this humorous, high-speed adventure to life.
ME: This is all super cool, dear Alayne. Thank you so much for sharing all of this. I know that all of us love hearing how stories came to be…and it helps us all to realize that published books emerge from long journeys…we just have to have faith…and never give up.
To learn more about the author and illustrator and their books: Alayne Kay Christian is an award-winning author, a former acquisitions editor, and a writing teacher. Her books include An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin; The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Story of the Toledo Christmas Weed; and Turkey On the Run! Born in the Rockies, raised in Chicago, and now a true-blue Texan, Alayne’s writing conveys her creative spirit, a bit of her funny bone, and the kinship to nature and humanity that lives within her heart. https://alaynekaychristianauthor.com/
Neha Rawat from India, is an author/illustrator of children’s books. Her illustrated works include Masala Chai, Fast and Slow, Zuni and the Memory Jar, and The Totally NOT Wicked Stepmother. Her debut author/illustrator picture book Ghungroos for Gauri will be published by Candlewick Press in 2026. When not drawing, Neha enjoys yoga, board games, hiking, and cuddling floofs. https://neharawat.com/
TURKEY ON THE RUN! launches on September 29th…the same day as my newest book, PIPPA’S HANUKKAH HUNT….Alayne and I are so excited to have book twins! I know we all want to support new books…so, what can you do, you ask? 1. Buy the book 2. Review the book on Amazon 3. Review the book on Goodreads 4. Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.
Thank you for spending your precious time with us. I hope you have a great weekend. I’m actually in Vienna right now…and will be going to Greece (Agatha Rodi…are we going to connect in person?) in a few days…and will be back in the states October 4th. My book will be launching while I am away (on the same day as Alayne’s)…maybe I’ll have to have a Greek celebration…Ópa!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Fall is around the corner…and that means lots of new books from the publishers! As you know, I especially love sharing books written by kid-lit friends…and what makes this one even more special is that it is the author’s picture book debut…PLUS, the talented Doris Imahiyerobo-Umoinyang is offering a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY which you’ll find out more about when you scroll through the post. But first, let’s get a look at the cover.
MEET FREIDA AMENZE FRIDAY
Written by Doris Imahiyerobo-Umoinyang
Illustrated by LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss
Published by Spork/Clear Fork
Ages: 5-8
Themes: Diversity, self-esteem, Nigerian culture
Synopsis: From Amazon Freida Amenze Friday is starting at a brand-new school, and she’s nervous. With a unique name, Nigerian parents, and homemade lunches that smell different from everyone else’s, she worries she’ll never fit in. But with a little courage, a lot of Puff-Puffs, and the support of her family, Freida discovers that being herself is the best way to belong.
This heartwarming picture book celebrates culture, identity, and the power of embracing what makes us unique. Inspired by the author’s own childhood as a first-generation Nigerian-American, Freida’s story encourages kids everywhere to be proud of who they are-because standing out can be the very thing that helps you fit in.
Why I Love This Book 1. I love books that act as mirrors and windows…helping children feel seen and heard while introducing kids to cultures they may not know much about. 2. I love books that are filled with vivid art which engages young readers and keeps them turning the pages. 3. I love books that inspire children to be inclusive and compassionate.
And I also love when authors stop by to share a little bit about how their stories came to be.
ME: Welcome, dear Doris! You know how excited I am for your debut picture book…you’ve put in so much HARD WORK and LOVE…and I’m so proud of you! Can you share a bit about the book?
DORIS: Thank you so much for inviting me, dear Vivian. I am happy to share a bit about the book as well as answer any questions you may have.
ME: What inspired Meet Freida Amenze Friday?
DORIS:The inspiration for Freida came from my own childhood experiences of feeling different.
I was bullied for the way I looked, the way I smelled, and even the foods I ate. Things that were completely normal and familiar to me at home suddenly became things that made me feel like I stood out at school. I learned very early that something being unfamiliar to someone else doesn’t make it wrong, strange, or less worthy of respect.
There is a saying I love: “Don’t yuck someone else’s yum.”
That idea became part of the heart of Freida’s story.
Food is such a powerful way to introduce children to culture because it invites curiosity. Instead of saying, “Why do you eat that?” or “Why does your food smell like that?” we can teach children to ask better questions: What gives this food its smell? How is it prepared? Where does this tradition come from? What does it mean to your family?
Curiosity can either create distance or build a bridge, depending on how we use it.
Freida is my way of inviting children to cross that bridge.
ME: Why was it important for Freida to be Nigerian-American?
DORIS:I am proudly Nigerian, and I am proudly American. I don’t see those identities as competing with one another.
For many children of immigrants, however, learning how to hold both identities can be complicated. There can be pressure to fit in, to sound a certain way, eat certain foods, pronounce your name differently, or sometimes even distance yourself from the culture your family came from.
But I believe children shouldn’t have to choose.
Meet Freida Amenze Friday is about the beautiful—and sometimes messy—journey of figuring out how to blend two worlds. It isn’t always easy. There are expectations, traditions, beliefs, language, food, family dynamics, and cultural differences to navigate.
But it can also be incredibly rewarding.
And the truth is, whether we choose it or not, the world is going to ask us to interact with people who are different from us. I want children to have the tools to do that with curiosity, confidence, kindness, and respect.
ME: Why does this story feel particularly relevant right now?
DORIS:We are living through a time when conversations about immigration, identity, race, belonging, and who is considered “American” can feel incredibly heated.
I am deeply empathetic toward immigrants and families who are navigating uncertainty and fear. At the same time, I believe we can hold two ideas at once: We can have compassion for people and their circumstances while also believing in laws, due process, and the importance of a functioning legal immigration system.
For me, those ideas aren’t contradictory.
What I hope Freida encourages is a more human conversation. Before we make assumptions about someone’s name, accent, food, clothing, family, or where they came from, can we pause and become curious?
Can we ask questions without making someone feel like they have to defend their existence?
Can we learn about one another without requiring anyone to abandon where they came from?
Those are conversations I hope this book can begin in classrooms, libraries, homes, and communities.
ME: What do you hope children take away from Freida’s story?
DORIS:I hope children who have ever felt different see themselves in Freida and realize that different does not mean less than.
I hope children of immigrants understand that their journey of balancing cultures may not always be easy, but there is tremendous beauty in being able to carry more than one world with you.
And I hope children who haven’t experienced that struggle learn to become better friends and classmates to those who have.
Sometimes inclusion isn’t about having all the answers. Sometimes it starts with learning how to ask a better question.
Doris stopped by my house to sign the book for the winner of the giveaway!
ME: What was the journey to publication like?
DORIS:Let’s just say…Murphy’s Law definitely showed up for this book!
Everything that could happen, happened.
There were challenging moments, delays, disappointments, and plenty of times when I wondered whether I should keep going. Publishing a children’s book is not nearly as simple as having an idea, writing the manuscript, and seeing it on a bookshelf.
There is so much that happens behind the scenes, and some of it is incredibly difficult.
But I kept going.
That is probably one of the biggest lessons I took away from this experience: don’t give up on the story you believe needs to be told.
If I could encourage another aspiring children’s book author, I would say: Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep submitting. Keep revising. Keep showing up.
And when Murphy’s Law comes knocking, take a breath, adjust, and keep moving.
ME: What would you say to other authors who are trying to break into children’s publishing?
DORIS:Be the change you want to see in children’s literature.
Write the stories you wish you had as a child.
And don’t underestimate the importance of seeing yourself represented in a book.
When I think about the little girl I once was—the child who was teased because of how she looked, smelled, spoke, and ate—I realize that Freida is in many ways a response to that little girl.
I couldn’t change what happened to me as a child.
But I can help create a different experience for another child.
And that is incredibly powerful.
ME: How can parents and teachers talk to children about cultural differences without making children from different backgrounds feel like they are “the other”?
DORIS:I think it begins with teaching children that differences aren’t something to fear or ridicule. They are opportunities to learn. We can teach children to ask questions respectfully, listen to the answers, and understand that they don’t have to adopt someone else’s culture to appreciate it.
ME: In a time when conversations about race and immigration can be so divisive, what role do you believe children’s books can play?
DORIS:Children’s books can give us a place to begin conversations before children inherit the fear, assumptions, and divisions that adults sometimes carry. A story can allow a child to meet someone different from them and first see that person as a child—with feelings, family, humor, hopes, and dreams. That human connection matters.
I also believe we can teach children that compassion and respect for immigrants do not require us to abandon the idea of laws or due process. We can have thoughtful conversations about immigration policy while remembering that the people affected by those policies are human beings.
ME: What do you hope children learn about being American from Freida’s story?
DORIS: I hope they understand that being American doesn’t require everyone to look, sound, eat, or live the same way.
America is a country made up of people with different histories and traditions. Loving where your family came from doesn’t make you less American, just as embracing American life doesn’t require you to reject your heritage.
Freida doesn’t have to choose between being Nigerian and being American.
She gets to be both.
ME: Oh Doris…I love all of this so much! Thank you for being so generous with your time…and with your insights and inner thoughts! And thank you for sponsoring this FABULOUS GIVEAWAY.
Here’s a little bit of info about Doris: Doris Imahiyerobo is a Nigerian-American children’s book author, educator, and advocate who believes every child deserves to see their culture and identity represented with authenticity, dignity, and joy.
She holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration and has more than two decades of experience in early childhood education, including serving as a director of centers with up to 150 children and leading teams of 40 educators. Doris’s own childhood experiences with bullying and exclusion because of her cultural differences did not diminish her love of education—they inspired her to become the change she wanted to see. Today, she advocates for culturally sensitive and accurate children’s literature in schools and classrooms. Her debut picture book, Meet Freida Amenze Friday, follows a first-generation Nigerian-American girl navigating identity, belonging, cultural pride, and the sometimes humorous journey of growing up between two cultures. Doris hopes her stories help children embrace what makes them unique while developing curiosity, empathy, and respect for others.
Dear friends…ONE LUCKY PERSON is going to win a SIGNED copy of MEET FREIDA AMENZE FRIDAY…and also a VIRTUAL COOKING LESSON WITH DORIS! Yes! The winner gets to make Puff-Puffs, the recipe you’ll find at the back of the book.
Check out the graphic for all of the particulars…you need to follow me and follow Doris…you need to repost this post on your social media…and you need to TAG TWO FRIENDS in your post. You can share on Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook – whatever your favorite social media platform is…and of course, you can share on more than one platform…let’s help spread the word about this important book! And in your comment, please share about a time you were embarrassed or surprised or proud of something in your culture or heritage.
