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.

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!