Seeing a new picture book cover is like going to a museum for an opening! So, when my very dear kidlit friend Karen M. Greenwald’s new book cover was ready to make its debut, I knew I had to be the one to share it!
TheCabbage Seed’s Colossal Secret tells the story of a child who plants a tiny seed and wonders what secrets it might hold. As it grows, she nurtures the little plant until it isn’t so little anymore―in fact, it’s COLOSSAL. What does one do with a colossal cabbage? The girl dreams that the cabbage feeds a soup kitchen full of neighbors, inspiring her to grow more veggies to share, inspiring kids country-wide to grow veggies for their own communities. And when she wakes up, she is ready let the world in on the cabbage’s colossal secret.
What an adorable cover! Don’t you love how the child sits on the head of cabbage? I can almost feel her swinging her feet back and forth!
The book is inspired by the true story of Katie Stagliano, her forty-pound cabbage, and the nonprofit Katie’s Krops. Backmatter includes ways for readers to start their own sharing garden.
A hallmark of Karen’s stories is her passion for shining a light on unexpected heroes and the surprising communities they form. In her own capacity, she runs two (or more!) annual book drives aimed at getting brand new books (yay, new book smell!) in the hands of students attending underserved schools across the country. I am sure this newest book will inspire any and all who read it!
Karen M. Greenwald is the author of The Mud Angels and A Vote for Susanna, which was a Kansas 2022 Notable Book and represented Kansas at both the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival and in their Great Reads from Great Places initiative. She cofounded the #SunWriteFun writing contest, founded the annual #BookHero book drive, and works with kidlit charities. Her strategic branding efforts have earned nineteen international awards. Most recently, Karen’s educational marketing efforts won the title, “BEST IN CATEGORY” from the 2024 international Summit MEA competition. She shares her office with a very noisy dog.
Alejandra Ruiz is an illustrator of picture books and visual storyteller. She illustrates stories hoping to build empathy in others and to help children find an infinite love for reading. She lives in Bogotá, Colombia with her boyfriend, two cats, and a whole lot of plants. When she’s not working, you can find her reading, cooking, or baking bread.
The book launches February 17th on National Cabbage Day! And guess what? It’s available for Pre-Order
Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I always love featuring books that entertain and educate. We talk a lot about reading with children – but what about writing with them?! Author Stephanie Wildman and I have been “kid lit network friends” through many of our books. And so, when I discovered that the fourth book in her Flor, Roberto, and Luis series — titled Story Power!– had been coauthored with her grandson, I knew I’d want to share it with you. PLUS, Stephanie stopped by to share the story behind this story and she is pleased to offer a book as a giveaway. So, make sure you leave a comment for a chance to win.
Story Power!
Written by Stephanie Wildman and Simon Wildman Chung
Illustrated by Estefanía Razo
Published by Lawley Publishing, October, 2025
Ages 3 and up
Themes: How to Write a Story; Hero/Heroine’s journey; healthy eating
Why I Love This Book: 1. I love books that entertain and educate. Readers will see the characters write a story. Then children can write their own stories by following the helpful guide in the backmatter.
2. I love books that can be enjoyed at home as well as used in the classroom! Story Power! provides both a remedy for boredom at home and a tool for classroom instruction.
3. I love books that provide young readers with great illustrations!
And now the promised treat…a visit from author Stephanie. ME: Welcome, my friend! Thank you for stopping by to chat with us. Can you tell us a little bit about the book…and how it came to be?
STEPHANIE: Thank you, Vivian! I am so honored to have Story Power! as part of your Perfect Picture Book Friday series!
Synopsis: Twins Flor and Roberto and big brother Luis return for another adventure. What does Luis have up his sleeve this time when the twins are bored? Discovering the thrill of storytelling, the twins craft a tale for their beloved Abuelito. Bonus content includes a road map for creating your own story along with craft activities.
Story Power!is my sixth picture book – the fourth in the Flor, Roberto, and Luis series that started with Treasure Hunt. In Treasure Hunt the twins Flor and Roberto are bored and want to watch TV or play video games. Big brother Luis engages them in a treasure hunt to find objects they can recycle and reuse as puppets. The ideas in this book came out of pandemic lockdown activities, during time I spent with two of my grandsons. The next books in the series also came from a sleepover bedtime routine and another grandson’s questions about loss of a beloved pet. I thought I was done with Flor, Roberto, and Luis after three meaningful books.
I was eager to turn my focus to a middle grade novel I have been working on, and I asked grandson Simon if he would listen to me read the beginning. He was seven at the time. I warned him that there were no pictures and that he should stop me if he was bored. I paused every few pages and he said “go on” each time.
At the end of the chapter, I said, “You didn’t stop me.”
“Well,” he said, “Grandma you need more action!”
“Thank you,” I answered, shuffling to put away my papers. “That’s super helpful.” My mind was already traveling to rewrites.
“But,” he continued, “I have an idea for another Flor, Roberto, and Luis book.”
I looked at him – remember he was seven – and asked what was his idea. Well, I can say it was brilliant, because it wasn’t my idea. Simon told me that in this next book Flor and Roberto would be bored again, but this time they would write a book themselves.
My mind started whirling with the possibilities. Simon himself loved writing. Maybe a picture book could help other children see that they, too, could write stories by watching these characters – Flor and Roberto – write their own book.
Related activities: Write with the young ones in your life! Help them develop the writing habit. Dr. Shawna Della Cerra, educational consultant for Lawley Publishing developed Research-informed Strategies and Activities to Cultivate the Writing Habit, available on my websitehere.
My website also includes coloring pages and worksheets for Story Power!
And watch for Story Power! coming in Spanish in April 2026 as ¡El Poder de los Cuentos!, translated by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave.
Bios:
Stephanie Wildman, author of six children’s books, became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law School. She is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, and good listener, who can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice. Learn more about Stephanie at: stephaniewildman.com
Simon Wildman Chung is an elementary school student who loves writing stories, reading books, swimming, and playing with his brother.
Estefanía Razo has a Bachelor of Graphic Design degree from the University of Guadalajara. She is passionate about illustration, books, and art in general. During her free time she enjoys reading children’s books with her nieces and watching movies accompanied by her cats. Estefanía can be found on Instagram @estefania.razo.r
And now, dear blog friends, let’s do our part to help this book get into the hands of young readers. We can: Buy the book – anywhere books are sold online or support your favorite indie bookstore!
(I include here the link for bookshop.org, because the book doesn’t show up by searching Stephanie’s name!) Review the book Tell friends about the book (PLEASE share this post on social media) Ask local libraries to purchase copies for their collection
Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Story Power!
Thank you for spending your precious time with us…I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Hello dear blog friends! It’s another beautiful Monday…so let’s start off the week with a peek at an AMAZING cover from a long time kid lit buddy, Rebecca Gardyn Levington for an upcoming book illustrated by Alyssa Russell, coming out from Little Bee Books on August 25, 2026.
Written by: Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated by: Alyssa Russell
Publisher: Little Bee
Release date: Aug. 25, 2026
And we are so lucky because Rebecca stopped by to chat with us and share a bit about the story and the story behind the story. Welcome, Rebecca!
REBECCA: Thank you so much, Vivian! It’s a thrill to be here on Picture Books Help Kids Soar.
Summary:
It’s been one year since Grandma died. One year without beach walks, shopping trips, and baking challah together. On this anniversary, the first yahrzeit, a young girl attends Grandma’s unveiling ceremony, taking time to let go of some of her sadness and celebrate the many moments of joy they shared.
This heartfelt picture book is about honoring those we have lost by remembering the happiness, comfort, and wisdom they brought into our lives. It is about the imprints that the people we love leave upon our hearts long after they are gone.
What inspired me to write this book:
The inspiration for this book was my Grandma Charlotte, my Gram, who had been my best friend. So many of the things I have grown to love—reading mystery novels, going to Broadway musicals (and listening to their soundtracks on repeat), purple hydrangeas, homemade lasagna, playing Mah Jongg, Barbra Streisand, visiting the beach—were things she introduced to me as a child and teenager during our family’s annual summer vacations to her home in Far Rockaway, NY.
After I graduated college, Gram invited me to live with her until I landed on my feet, and that’s when we became true besties. Her unconditional support, positive energy, and wise tough-love advice over the years have, without question, shaped how I view the world and myself in it.
Gram passed away in 2013 and a couple years ago I was reminiscing and missing her. I started thinking about how much has happened since she died, how many ups and downs we didn’t get to share, how much of my life she has missed. She never got to see my two sons grow up into the amazing young men they are turning out to be. She never got to see me reinvent myself from a journalist into a children’s book author and poet. She never got to read any of my books.
And so, I did what I usually do when I’m grappling with emotions: I wrote a poem. For her. And for me. I never initially intended this poem to become anything other than a way for me to process my grief, but as I continued to write and revise, I felt like there was a more universal story coming through me that might help others cope with their own loss.
A challenging moment I faced on the path to publication:
Before acquiring I WISH THAT YOU KNEW, my editor, Jaime Gelman at Little Bee, asked me for a Revise and Resubmit. She had two major big picture comments (and was absolutely on point with both of them. Listen to your editors, folks. They know what they’re talking about!)
First, Jaime felt like the text was a tad too sentimental. She thought that my sadness about missing my own grandmother was driving the story a little too much and asked me to take a step back and try to separate own emotions from those of the protagonist. She was, of course, exactly right. As I mentioned, this story was deeply personal and I was very sad when I wrote it. But who wants a sad picture book? Thanks to Jaime’s comments, I realized that what I really wanted was a story that would, of course, validate the sad feelings of any child who may have recently lost a grandparent, but also one that would remind them of all the joy that person brought to their life and how that person’s love helped shape who they are today. I wanted the book to be more about celebrating life than grieving loss. Jaime’s note really helped me make that separation and create a better story. Her note reminded me of the Jane Yolan quote: “Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story.”
Jaime’s second big note was a question: “How does an unveiling specifically help us process our grief?” The original manuscript focused on the girl missing her grandmother and remembering their moments together, and the unveiling ceremony was simply a backdrop. But Jaime’s question made me realize that I also needed to include more about the importance of the unveiling ritual and how participating in it helps us heal. I did a ton more research and reworked the story to bring the ceremony more to the forefront. I also added an author’s note to explain and expand upon some of the traditions we see the girl and her family engage in within the story.
While it was a challenge to rework the manuscript, I’m SO grateful to Jaime for seeing the story for what it could be. It is so much better now because of her insight. I can’t wait to share it with everyone next summer!
My Bio:
JOY YAGID(201)657-6631
Rebecca Gardyn Levington is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. She is the author of WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (which has been translated into nine languages and is the winner of a Crystal Kite Honor and a Northern Lights Book Award),AFIKOMAN WHERE’D YOU GO? and FINDING FORGIVENESS (both PJ Library Selections), BRAINSTORM!, LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN, WRITE HERE WRITE NOW, SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND, DINOSAUR SURPRISE!, and I WILL ALWAYS BE… with many more books forthcoming. Rebecca blogs monthly for the Picture Book Builders and her award-winning poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. She lives with her family in Summit, NJ, where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!). Find out more and sign up for Rebecca’s monthly newsletter at www.RebeccaGardynLevington.com.
Illustrator’s Bio:
Alyssa Russell is an Illustrator from Austin, Texas. She enjoys creating a feeling of softness and whimsy in her work, reminiscent of the children’s books she grew up reading. A mix of graphite and photoshop techniques are used in her process. Stylistically she aims for a vintage feel while also playing with the more modern shape-based designs she sees today. You can learn more about Alyssa and her work on her Instagram: @alyssarussellillustrates
I would love to invite readers to sign up for my monthly newsletter where I share all sorts of lessons and advice I’ve learned along the way as well as answer questions from subscribers about all the writerly and publish-y things. Feel free to check out past issues and sign up here: https://rebeccagardynlevington.com/resources-for-writers/ You can also find me on Instagram: @Rebeccagardynlevington
ME: I especially love what you shared about the editor Revise and Resubmit…it’s always valuable to see what editors want us to focus on. And, dear friends…you’ve been so patient…here’s the GORGEOUS cover:
I can’t wait to read this book!!! I hope you all have a wonderful week…thank you for spending your precious time with us.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 