Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. You know, some books grab your attention because of the cover. Others beg to be picked up because of the title. Today’s featured book wins on both counts! And if you leave a comment on this blog post and spread the word about this book on your social media, you’ll have a chance to win a copy!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Last June, we revealed the cover of a beautiful picture book that was going to be launching in April of this year. Then, a few months ago, we were honored to have author Hanh Bui and illustrator Minnie Phan as guests for Will Write and Illustrate for Cookies. And today, I’m thrilled to feature The Yellow Áo Dài. Why am I so excited about this book? I’m so excited because this is exactly the type of book we need in schools and libraries to serve as a mirror and a window Perfect for young children to feel seen, to celebrate Vietnamese culture, and…to provide a sweet SEL story that examines a myriad of emotions on the part of the main character. And we also have a giveaway – Hanh is offering a copy of the book! Please make sure you leave a comment (maybe you can tell us what color your Áo Dài would be if you had one) – and please share the post to spread the word about this beautiful book!
You all know how much I love to welcome new books to the world. And it’s always an especially joyful celebration when it’s a story I got to see early on…and even had the pleasure of being part of the early path to publication. Back in 2019, a Boston writer reached out to me with a wonderful manuscript about a doll that sailed to America in 1773. Sitting in the window of a Boston shop and then owned by a young girl, this doll observed the activities that led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. And the most amazing thing about this TRUE story is that the doll is still in existence – on display at the Old State House in Boston. As soon as I read the manuscript, I knew this was a story kids would love to hear and I encouraged Rick Wiggin to keep going. I’m happy to say that he did…and today we are singing a very rousing Happy Book Birthday to POLLY SUMNER: Witness to the Boston Tea Party, written by Richard C. Wiggin, illustrated by Keith Favazza, and launching from Lawley Publishing.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 