Category Archives: Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal: ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE

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New picture books, like new works of art, add so much to the world: a chance to engage, educate, and inspire children – a chance to spark their creativity and curiosity…ESPECIALLY nonfiction biographies like this one!

And so, when I get a chance to reveal the cover of an upcoming picture book…ESPECIALLY one that I saw in it’s early stages, I’m totally thrilled!

WOW! Kids will rush to read this book! The cover is so engaging…and the Rubik’s Cube is still fascinating children and adults alike…even after 50 years!

Here’s a little bit about the book from the Goodreads page:
This first picture book biography of Erno Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of a bestselling puzzle that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

In 2023, the world record for solving the Rubik’s Cube was broken by Max Park, who finished in 3.13 seconds!

And then there’s you. Did you ever get so frustrated with a Rubik’s Cube that you wanted to pull it apart and put it back together in order? Were you to do so, you’d see how cleverly one of the world’s most popular toys is assembled. Working together, the 26 pieces combine to make 43 quintillion possible configurations—but only one solution.

A solitary child, Erno Rubik grew up in post-World War II Hungary obsessed with puzzles, art, nature, and the underlying patterns and structures. He became a professor of art, architecture, and design, who was still fascinated with how objects work together, sometimes becoming greater than their components. In a quest to help his students understand three-dimensional objects and how they move—not to mention a desire to entertain himself—he fashioned a cube whose pieces twisted and turned without breaking, and unexpectedly invented the Rubik’s Cube, the most popular puzzle in history, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

To pre-order, please go to:

And to put the book on your Goodreads WANT TO READ shelf, go here.

I met Kerry back in 2021 when she applied to the #PBChat Mentorship Program and I fell in love with her manuscript (about Erno) and her application (about herself). I chose Kerry as one of my mentees and it was a joy to work with her. She stopped by today to share a little bit about that path to publication.

KERRY: I couldn’t be happier that Vivian is revealing the cover of my debut picture book, as she played an important role in my path to publication. I am forever grateful that she chose me as her mentee for the 2021 PBChat Mentorship program hosted by children’s author Justin Colón. She has always believed in this manuscript, and the support she has offered me and so many other picture book creators is astounding. Thank you, Vivian!

ME: You are so very welcome, dear Kerry! What a joy to see your diligent efforts and desire to craft the best story possible rewarded with this beautiful book.

Here’s a little bit about Kerry:
Kerry Aradhya is a children’s author who loves puzzling over words and immersing herself in the creative process. When not writing for youngsters, she works as a science editor and performs with a quirky modern dance ensemble in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives with her family and their cute but naughty pooch named Sofie. 

And here’s a little bit about the illustrator:
Kara Kramer is a mixed media artist, and illustrator who loves to PLORK with all mediums. She has taught creative art workshops for both children and adults. Ever since she was little, her happiest hours are spent moving her hands to make something new. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your precious time with us. I’m already in the planning stages for #50PreciousWords 2024 – and will be reaching out to my assistant judges shortly – and to prize donors, too. The contest will run for only TWO DAYS…March 2 and March 3…so please sharpen your pencils and get busy!

Cover Reveal: LUPITA’S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS

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When I was a little girl, most of the characters in children’s books looked enough like me so that I felt seen even though nobody wore glasses or was as height-challenged as I was…but they were white…and so was I. These days we know now how critical it is for young kids to see themselves…not only as the child characters in stories, but also as adults in positive leadership roles. And that’s why I’m so excited to share the COVER of a new picture book, written by Steena Hernandez and illustrated by Melissa Castillo that launches October 15th from Beaming Books.

Huge props to Melissa Castillo for this GORGEOUS cover!!!! And don’t you love how the little girl’s pose is directing us to open the book?

Here’s a little bitt about the book from the Amazon sales page:
Everyone deserves to shine.

Lupita’s big ballet recital is approaching. The music is perfect. Her ballet moves are strong. But her peachy pink ballet slippers don’t match her skin tone. Lupita searches for the right pair only to discover it will take hard work–and messy measures–in order for her shoes to dance with her.

Inspired by the author’s own experiences as a Latina dancer, Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers is a charming story filled with determination. The final few spreads teach readers about the history of ballet slippers as well as the crucial changes the industry has seen for dancers of all races and ethnicities.

This is definitely a book that needs to be in classroom and public libraries, as well as home bookshelves. And guess what? We can help!!!
Please share the post widely on your social media.
You can put it on your Goodreads WANT TO READ shelf.
You can review it.
You can ask your local library to order copies for their collection.
And of course, you can pre-order a copy.

Here’s a bit about author Steena:
Steena Hernandez holds a BFA in theatre, music, and dance from Texas Tech University, and has performed with the Rent Broadway tour, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as a vocalist, and the United Service Organization (USO) tour, and more. She now resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her family. She’s a storyteller at heart, and when she’s not writing or cooking, you can find her curled up in a cozy spot reading with her two children.

And here’s a little about illustrator Melissa:
Melissa Castillo’s work is heavily inspired by her Peruvian culture and heritage. With the lack of diverse representation of Latinx culture in illustration, she hopes to properly represent people of color and create relatable art for all cultures

We love these beautiful new picture books that are popping up in the pipeline. And we are grateful to the writers, artists, and publishers who are creating them!



Cover Reveal: FREE TO BE FABULOUS

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#50PreciousWords has been a blessing for me! It’s helped to connect me with so many amazing kid lit folks, including the author of today’s featured book, FREE TO BE FABULOUS! Actually, David McMullin was an early follower of my blog and was a top winner of the contest in 2017. So, having him on Picture Books Help Kids Soar is like welcoming an old friend – and it’s an honor for me to share the cover of his upcoming book, illustrated by Robbie Cathro, that launches from Clarion Books on April 30, 2024.

What a glorious cover!!! Definitely a quicker-picker-upper – kids will naturally gravitate to the joyful action and beautiful color palette.

Here’s a little bit about the book:
Free to be Fabulous is the story of Daniel who dances like his favorite pop star, Fabulina, at his school’s talent show. That’s when the bullying begins, but he soon finds that the very thing they tease him for is what helps him find his strength.

And here’s a note from David:
This book has been a long rewarding journey. It will be six years from idea to publication with three R&Rs (revise and resubmit) with the editor before an offer. Much like my main character, I knew that following the path I loved would get me to my destination despite the obstacles. Most of the stories I write lean towards the silly side of life, so to have my debut be such a personal book is quite special. Then to be matched with Robbie’s magical art—I couldn’t be happier.

And here’s a little bit about David McMullin:
David is a picture book writer, illustrator, and children’s poet. His debut book, Free to be Fabulous comes out April 30, 2024 with Clarion. His poems are featured in several magazines and anthologies. Honors include an SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, an Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest award, and a Madness Poetry championship. David and his husband are currently full time world travelers, bird nerds, and YouTubers. In past careers he was a Broadway actor, an educator, and a children’s librarian.

Website: https://www.davidmcmullinbooks.com/welcome/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcmullinpb/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/davidmcmullinpb

And here’s a little bit about illustrator Robbie Cathro from his website:
I am an Illustrator & Storyteller living in Bristol, UK, working from my studio in The Island. I love to make fun, colourful and charismatic work whether that’s for a lively children’s magazine, an editorial piece or even for stories of my own invention.  With my work I hope to create a playful composition that translates the mood and atmosphere of the work I’m illustrating! I graduated in 2016 from The University of the West of England with a 1st-Class Honours in (BA Hons) Illustration.

Website: http://www.robbiecathro.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbiecathro/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/RobbieCathro

And here are several links for preorders because we all know that one of the best ways we can help a book become successful is to buy copies:
HarperCollins Book Sales
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

And last but not least, here are a couple of other ways we can help:
Review the book on Amazon and other sites
Put the book on your Goodreads WANT TO READ shelf
Tell friends about the book (you can do that by sharing this post on your social media)
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection

As always, I’m grateful for all of you who spend your precious time with us here.
May this be a season of light and love for you and the world.