A couple of years ago, author Karen Greenwald showed me the manuscript for THE MUD ANGELS: How Students Saved the City of Florence. I read it and I told her: THIS IS A BOOK!
And now it is!!! HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO THE MUD ANGELS!!!
The cover is everything we could hope – wonderful color palette…and beautiful art! And I love how the title is sitting in the muck and mud! Olga Lee did a fabulous job!
Here’s a little bit about the book from the Amazon sales page: Based on real events, this story shows how a team of international volunteers worked together to save priceless artifacts after a flood.
When the Arno River floods the city of Florence, Italy in 1966, it leaves slimy, smelly mud everywhere. A young girl watches students from around the world, many from the US, help save the town’s rare treasures, earning themselves the nickname Gli Angeli del Fango, the Mud Angels.
According to the publisher, the book targets ages 4-8 – but honestly, this is a picture book that also belongs in the upper elementary and middle school classroom! What a fabulous story to encourage young readers to become activists – to get involved with what’s going on around them, in their school and in their community and beyond. So please, dear friends, spread the word: Share on your social media Place it on your GOODREADS WANT TO READ SHELF Review it on Amazon Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection Buy the book
And now, because author Karen is such a sweetheart, she stopped by to share a bit of the story behind the story – what drew her to write MUD ANGELS. ME: Welcome, dear Karen…thank you for coming to chat with us!
KAREN: Hi Vivian, it’s lovely to be here. Thank you so much for joining the celebration for THE MUD ANGELS. When you first begin learning how to write picture books, you start hearing about all the rules. This can feel overwhelming at times. However, there is one that I find myself returning to again and again—the idea that you should write what you feel personally connected to or have experience with. This is advice not to ignore! The Mud Angels touches on many facets of my life, from the environmental aspects to my obvious and enormous love of libraries, from the fact that it was the first-time books were treated as art, to my interest in studying various cultures…and, ultimately, the community of global youth that joined harmoniously to do something important for the world. I have loved researching, interviewing, and learning about this dark (and yet, hopeful) period in history. Along the way, the process has yielded me new friendships, education, and food for thought. It even inspired me to take Italian!
I hope others in kid lit find stories to write that nurture their souls as much as this one does mine!
That’s fabulous advice, Karen. Because when we feel connected with the story we are researching, the writing shows that – and the reader connects, too.
And here’s a totally cool trailer for MUD ANGELS from Italy:
Thank you for spending your precious time with us. Please come back tomorrow for Perfect Picture Book Friday when we welcome Lydia Lukidis and her new book, DANCING THROUGH SPACE!
Step right up! Gluten-free cake lovers on the left. Gluten cake lovers on the right. And in the middle, those who prefer to celebrate with a big bowl of ice cream! (and that’s where you’ll find me!). We are celebrating a book birthday for author/illustrator Marietta Apollonio’s new book: WOMBAT AND THE FAMILY TREE. I ‘met’ Marietta last year when my NCTE panel, headed up by the amazing Kathy Halsey, was working on our presentation. Kathy was already connected with Marietta and asked if she’d be kind enough to look over our slides with her artist’s eye. She did…and WOW! She was so helpful – our slides were GORGEOUS! We were so grateful to her! Stick around after you enjoy the cake because the kind and talented Marietta stopped by to chat…and she’s offering a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY.
Written and illustrated by Marietta Apollonio – Published by Tommy Nelson Books
Awww…look at that cover! Wombats are so adorable! Something tells me that this wombat loves to paint. And before we chat with Marietta, here’s a little bit about the story from the Amazon sales page.
Spark curiosity in children about family history, genealogy, and their place within that legacy as Wombat’s family tree project grows into an exploration of his relatives’ wisdom as well as what talent he can add to his community.
Wombat’s family tree assignment turns sour when he realizes that every ancestor has a special something they are good at–everyone except him. He tries all the talents he’s learned about from his family members, from music to carving to cooking, but nothing fits. Then, with a nudge to try again, the family tree branches out to grow into Wombat’s very own something.
Wombat and the Family Tree by Marietta Apollonio is for children aged 4 to 8 and features
a heartfelt and fun exploration of what a family tree is while finding a sense of self within your heritage,
a sweet and energetic main character who wants to do his best,
a supportive family who encourages Wombat to keep trying despite disappointment,
whimsical and nostalgic illustrations that enrich the story with delightful details,
a note from the author about her own adventures in genealogy, and
a blank family tree for children to fill in that allows room for a variety of family structures and caregiving situations.
Join Wombat for an adventure in self-discovery as he answers these questions: Where do I come from? What can I learn from people who have come before me? What are my special skills that I can contribute to my family and community?
ME: WELCOME, Marietta. Thank you so much for stopping by. We all love to hear about challenges on the path to pblication…and also what inspired someone.
MARIETTA: Thank you so much, Vivian. It’s a joyto be here on Picture Books Help Kids Soar. The most challenging moment during my path to publication was a point when I doubted myself and what I was doing. And wanted to quit. I think a lot of people struggle with self doubt. But if we’re lucky, we have people in our lives that help to propel us forward, to help you quell the intrusive thoughts. Who supports you when you need a break, when things move quickly, through frustration, excitement, and joy. They celebrate the wins and help you through the losses. For me that was and still is the Saucy Supremes, a critique group of some very talented women, who were giving of their knowledge, time, and of support when things were hard in life and dreams.
Book Inspiration: The flicker of an idea for Wombat and the Family Tree came before I had an agent and my first published book. At a writing workshop held by the very talented duo, Anika Denise and Chris Denise, we were asked to jot down a list of things that sparked interest for us. Included in my list amongst tiny glass ink jars and dragons, were these two separate items: Wombats (they’re poop is shaped like cubes) and vintage portraits (the kind you find in a basket at thrift or antique shops). We were asked to combine two items from the list. Vintage portraits of wombats. I went home that day and drew one. The outline for the story included a wombat named Wombat, vintage portraits, and included genealogy, which has been an interest of mine for a long time, as I continue connecting the branches of my family’s tree. I particularly like this description from the publisher, TommyNelson Books:
Join Wombat for an adventure in self-discovery as he answers these questions: Where do I come from? What can I learn from people who have come before me? What are my special skills that I can contribute to my family and community?
Yes, we definitely want to join Wombat! And here’s a little bit about Marietta and how you can connect with her and learn more about her books: Marietta Apollonio is the author-illustrator of Jack The Library Cat (Albert Whitman 2023) and Wombat And The Family Tree (Tommy Nelson Books/HarperCollins 2024). Her stories focus on characters who explore their curiosity and are looking for something—a home, acceptance, growth, their place within a family or community, magic. In creating an atmosphere inclusive of diverse characters, her illustrations use traditional materials and digital, with texture, patterns, and vibrant saturated moments pulling readers into universal experiences. Marietta received her BFA in illustration from Lesley University College of Art and Design. She spends her professional time doing what she loves: illustrating and writing for picture books, working with a weekly writers’ group, and mentoring. She is a member of SCBWI, the Boston Authors Club, and the PB23BUNCH. Marietta is a recipient of the 2019 SCBWI Memorial Scholarship for Illustrations, a 2022 PB Rising Stars Mentor, a 2023 PBParty Judge and a 2022 and 2023 mentor with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency’s Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop. She is represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Social Media: X/Instagram/TikTok/Threads: mar_illustrates Bluesky: mariettaa.bsky.social mariettaapollonio.com
And Marietta says: I love supporting my local indie bookshop, https://www.silverunicornbooks.com . Happy to have folks directed to them for purchasing, but also anywhere they buy their books.
Please remember, dear friends, we can help books become successful when we: Buy them Review them Put them on our Goodreads Want to Read Shelf Tell friends about them Ask our local library to purchase copies for their collection
And don’t forget to leave a comment and share on your social media for a chance to win a signed copy of WOMBAT AND THE FAMILY TREE plus some book swag.
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.
Written by Jacqueline Johnson – Illustrated by Alette Straathof – Published by Beaming Books
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.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 