Cover Reveal: I WISH THAT YOU KNEW

Posted on October 20, 2025 by viviankirkfield

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:

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

Pre-Order Links:

We’ll be adding more pre-order links as soon as we get them, but for now, you can get more info at: https://rebeccagardynlevington.com/

Social Media Links:

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.

Happy Book Birthday: THE MOUSE WHO LOVED LATKES Plus Giveaway

Posted on October 14, 2025 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! It’s time to sing another Happy Birthday to a book by a long-time kid lit friend, Joy Wieder.

What an adorable cover!!! And what a beautiful book. Here’s a little bit about the story:
When the Katz family moves in, C.J. the mouse is scared. Nibbling jelly doughnut crumbs in the kitchen, he hears a soft voice say, “Hello.” The Katz family is spinning a dreidel and eating chocolate coins. It looks like fun, but a mouse can’t play with cats! “Hello again,” says the soft voice. “Please don’t go. I could use a friend.” Can C.J. overcome his fear and make some new friends just in time for Hanukkah?

Joy is both the author and illustrator…her characters encourage kids to connect to the story…and I know this book will soon become a Hanukkah favorite!

ME: And we are so lucky because Joy stopped by to share a couple of special things with us. Welcome, Joy!

JOY: Hello everyone! It’s lovely to be here. Thank you, Vivian, for sharing this good new I’m having a giveaway for signed copies of the book for 2 lucky winners until Oct. 26. Here’s a link: https://gleam.io/MbBk5/the-mouse-who-loved-latkes-giveaways about my book.

I know that writers enjoy hearing the story behind the story…so here’s a little bit about how THE MOUSE WHO LOVED LATKES:
This book began many years ago as an image in my mind of a mouse up on a rafter, looking down at a Jewish family chanting a Hebrew blessing. The mouse is afraid and worries that this strange, new family is trying to put a spell on him. That image evolved into a Hanukkah book about an unlikely friendship between the mouse and a family of cats named Katz! I love latkes, so I realized a mouse might love them, too, and that food often acts as a bridge between cultures.

I also wanted to share a link for the awesome trailer that will give you a tiny peek inside the book:

Oh, I’m such a fan of book trailers…I’ve never done one, but seeing this one, I’m going to have to give the idea more thought…this is adorable!!!

Here’s a little bit about Joy:
Since childhood, Joy dreamed of joining her two passions – art and books – by writing and illustrating books for children. Her dreams were fulfilled with the publication of her first book in 1999. She has now authored nearly 30 books for young readers. Click on books to read reviews or make a purchase.

Joy has written both beginning chapter books and picture books for young readers. Her whimsical illustrations are created in a variety of drawing and water based mediums as well as digital media. See Joy’s portfolio to view her artwork.
To learn more about Joy and her books:
Joy Nelkin Wieder

jnwieder.com
Twitter: @JoyWieder
Instagram: @jnwieder
Facebook: joynelkinwieder

Lea Ferrante Photography 61 Stacey Circle Concord, MA 01742 lea@ferrante-photo.com

And dear blog followers, what can we do to help this beautiful book become a success? We can:
Buy the book
Review the book
Tell friends about the book
Ask your local library to purchase copies of the book

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thank you for spending your precious time with us.

Happy Book Birthday: I HEAR THE SNOW, I SMELL THE SEA

Posted on October 7, 2025 by viviankirkfield

Humans have five senses (or some might say more) that they rely on as they navigate their world. Sight. Hearing. Touch. Smell. Taste. But many folks have lost…or never had…the use of one or more of those senses. I was always very nearsighted and now, because of other eye issues and surgeries, my vision is compromised…and I often lean on my other senses to provide me with the information I need to stay safe and get me where I need to go…without tripping over the dog or leaving the pie in the oven too long. And so, when I heard about this brand new book called: I HEAR THE SNOW, I SMELL THE SEA…I knew I’d want to share that with you. It’s written by Jan Milusich and illustrated by Chris Raschka and it launches from Anne Schwartz Books TODAY! HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!!!!

The cover…just so very engaging for young children, don’t you think? And lucky for us, author Jan agreed to stop by to share a little bit about the story and how she came to write it.
ME: Welcome, Jan! Thank you so much for coming over to Picture Books Help Kids Soar. Can you share a little bit about the story and also how and why you wrote it?

JAN: Thank you for having me, Vivian. It’s a joy to see this book ready to fly onto bookshelves and into the hands of the children who will enjoy it.
Here’s a short summary from the Amazon sales page:
In this lyrical picture book illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, share in a blind child’s joyful experience of the changing seasons.

Where I live, seasons change. I know because my fingers and toes, my ears, my mouth and nose, all tell me so.

Neveah is blind, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy each of the four wondrous seasons of the year.

She knows it’s winter when her boots go scruuunch in the snow and cold flakes land softly on her tongue.

She knows spring has come by the smell of hyacinths, the bzzzz of a bee in her ear.

Summer is a trip to the beach, where she can hear the crash of ocean waves and the keowww of seagulls overhead.

And when Neveah’s rake goes scritch scratch over fallen leaves and the air turns brisk, she knows it’s autumn. Soon the cycle of seasons will begin anew.

In this poetic story with art by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, join Neveah as she uses her senses of touch, taste, hearing, and smell to vividly describe the changing seasons and the unique delights they each have to offer.

And here’s the story behind the story…the how and why I wrote it:

My inspiration for I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea came from my students, past and present.

The idea for this story originated from our daily sessions together exploring the world (their classroom, school setting, and playground) from varying perspectives, using all of their available senses.

For example, a chair, whatever the type, explored while seated is a completely different chair when it is found upside down, on top of a table, or knocked over on its side. Without a visual snapshot to identify its “chair-ness”, no matter the position, my low-vision and blind students need to explore the chair, or any object, in differing presentations to gain a greater understanding of its concept as a whole.

Inspiration also came via one of my former students, who is blind and who now works in IT and is also a writer and poet. She was at first a sensitivity reader for me and later, when I was asked to change the story’s POV from third person to first, she became a valued consultant. Concerned about the POV change, as I am sighted, her support of my writing the story as an experienced teacher for the visually impaired buoyed and encouraged me to continue the pursuit of its publication.

It’s my hope that in I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea children with visual impairments and blindness will find themselves represented in a way that empowers their understanding of the world, that sighted children will gain an appreciation of the capabilities and competencies of their low vision or blind peers, and that all who read this story will come away with a greater appreciation of what the senses of touch, taste, hearing and smell have to offer to our awareness of our environment and the world around us.

ME: I LOVE THIS, JAN! This is a much needed book, for sure! I hope everyone does what they can to help the book become a success.
Dear friends…you can:
Buy the book
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (Please share the post on your social media)
Ask local libraries to purchase copies for their collection

And here’s a little bit about the author and the illustrator::

Janice Milusich is a teacher for the visually impaired and blind, currently working with preschool students. She is the author of the Cleo’s Big Ideas chapter book series published by Eifrig Publishing and has had her work published in the Cricket Media magazines, Spider and Muse. Janice lives on Long Island, NY.
To order the book and learn more about Jan:
I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea
Available for pre-order!
Janmilusich.com Books Author Visits

Chris Raschka is a multi-award-winning author/illustrator of over seventy books for children. Named “one of the most original illustrators at work today” by Publishers Weekly, Raschka has won two Caldecott Medals (for A Ball for Daisy and The Hello, Goodbye Window), as well as a Caldecott Honor Award for Yo? Yes! His titles also include Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle and Daisy Gets Lost, both of which received numerous starred reviews; Mary’s Idea, which was named a 2023 New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and The Blue Table. He lives in New York City.

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us…I hope you all have a wonderful week! And I hope I didn’t confuse everyone by posting this last week and then pulling it back when I realized the book birthday was today, not last week.