Thank you, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris! #vote
Happy Father's Day
https://www.aliciaschwab.com/media-kit-unicycle-dad
SLJ: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
School Library Journal: 9 Board Books and Picture Books About Daddy and Me for Father’s Day and Beyond
“From going to work in faraway or dangerous jobs to walking with their kids around the neighborhood or reading bedtime stories, these fathers offer support and encouragement and set an example for their kids. As Father's Day approaches, or all year long, share these titles with little ones and families to recognize the important role Dad plays in their lives.”—School Library Journal Reviews
“Unicycle Dad by Sarah Hovorka. illus. by Alicia Schwab. Amicus Ink. ISBN 9781681529028.
K-Gr 2–Revolving around a father-daughter relationship, this touching tale adeptly relates the challenges of learning to ride a unicycle to the broader struggles in the father and daughter’s life.
VERDICT A heartwarming story of family resilience and an empowering narrative about overcoming obstacles—a valuable addition to any collection.” —School Library Journal Reviews
Maria Marshall - Picture Book Buzz
In May 2024, Sarah Hovorka and I had an interview with Maria Marshall. I really enjoyed this interview and the added questions about how we enjoy the great outdoors. Check out our interview here: https://www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/the-picture-book-buzz-interview-w-sarah-hovorka-and-alicia-schwab
Order this book! Amazon | IndieBound.org | Bookshop.org | Amicus Ink
Lions, Tigers, and Bears—oh, my!
I’m super excited for my book launch next week for UNICYCLE DAD, by Sarah Hovorka and Alicia Schwab, published by Amicus Ink March 12, 2024.
I made new business cards, stickers and bookmarks.
UPCOMING BOOK SIGNING & SALES
March 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rosemount Writers Festival in Rosemount, MN. Book signing and sale.
March 23, 10:30-Noon, UNICYCLE DAD, Alicia Schwab: Book signing and storytime at Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105
SLJ - Review for Uncle Dad, by Sarah Hovorka and Alicia Schwab
UNICYCLE DAD
A touching tale based on the author’s childhood experience. The narrative, revolving around a father-daughter relationship, adeptly relates the challenges of learning to ride a unicycle to the broader struggles in the father and daughter’s life. As the story unfolds, readers discover the family’s low-income status and the father’s journey to obtain his high school degree while navigating the responsibilities of single parenthood. Hovorka introduces many poignant moments, including her father’s graduation and subsequent disappointment at work resulting in him needing a second job, that showcase the harsh realities of financial struggles. The children adapt to his increased workload, with the daughter taking on more responsibilities at home. Schwab’s illustrations add a simple and realistic charm to the narrative. This book skillfully captures the emotions and challenges faced by the characters, making the story accessible and engaging for young readers.
VERDICT
A heartwarming story of family resilience and an empowering narrative about overcoming obstacles—a valuable addition to any collection. —School Library Journal
Here's pb24Galore member Jenin Mohammed's new book
THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM
written by Tonya Duncan Ellis and illustrated by Jenin Mohammed.
Balzer and Bray, May 14, 2024
About the book
A moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas—and the origins of Juneteenth.
When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.
They built me to remember.
On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in the United States. This day was soon to be memorialized with the dedication of a park in Houston. The park was called Emancipation Park, and the day it honored would come to be known as Juneteenth.
In the voice and memory of the park itself—its fields and pools, its protests and cookouts, and, most of all, its people—the 150-year story of Emancipation Park is brought to life. Through lyrical text and vibrant artwork, Tonya Duncan Ellis and Jenin Mohammed have crafted an ode to the struggle, triumph, courage, and joy of Black America—and the promise of a people to remember.
5-Star Goodreads Community Reviews
Look at all these positive reviews for UNICYCLE DAD, written by Sarah Hovorka and illustrated by Alicia Schwab.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sarah knows her unicycle-riding dad is special--even as Sarah cooks, takes care of her brother, and does homework on her own. When her dad finally graduates from high school, gets a second job, and eventually lands a promotion, Sarah realizes there's so much more that's special about him. Unicycle Dad shares the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Raised by a single teenage father in poverty, author Sarah Hovorka grew up in a family structure lived by many but seldom represented in children's books. Illustrator Alicia Schwab captures the story with warm, expressive art.
Cover Reveal & Enter to Win a Portfolio Review!
Thank you, Vivian Kirkfield for hosting our UNICYCLE DAD cover reveal on her blog! https://viviankirkfield.com/ Enter to win a portfolio critique #giveaway from ALICIA! And a manuscript review from SARAH HOVORKA. Go to Vivian's blog to enter. Vivian will draw a winner by the end of October.
UNICYCLE DAD
written by Sarah Hovorka and illustrated by Alicia Schwab
Amicus Ink, March 12th, 2024!
You can pre-order the book here.
@amicus_publishing @authorsarahhovorka @viviankirkfield
Spirits Dancing Cover reveal
Here is the cover I designed. Preorder a copy of SPIRITS DANCING The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge, and Living Connections to the Cosmos
Photography by Travis Novitsky, Text by Annette S. Lee
Minnesota Historical Society Press (November 7, 2023)
An exploration of human connection to the aurora, the Milky Way, and the wonder of the universe above us, with gorgeous photographs by a master photographer.
I enjoyed designing this cover. Travis Novitsky’s photography is stunning.
Cover design: Alicia Schwab
#pb24galore Jeanette Lazzari Jones
MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA
written by Jeanette Fazzari Jones and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett
Two Lions, Kids Books, Children’s Stories, March 12, 2024
#PB24galore Picture Book Cover Reveal
I will update our list of fantastic picture books as they come in. 2024 here we come!
#pb24galore Colleen Muske
LINDEN: THE STORY OF A TREE
written & illustrated by Colleen Muske
Marble Press, March 2024
#PB24Galore: new picture books to explore!
Meet our fabulous team of explorers! We all have new picture books in 2024. Check back for more news and giveaways.
ADAM MING linktr.ee/adamming
ALICIA SCHWAB linktr.ee/AliciaSchwab
COLLEEN MUSKE colleenmuske.com
JEANETTE FAZZARI JONES https://jeanettejones1981.wixsite.com/jeanettefazzarijo
JENIN MOHAMMED https://www.jeninmohammed.com/books/
MIRKA HOKKANEN smart.bio/mirkahokkanen
SARAH KURPIEL https://sarahkurpiel.com/
ZAINAB KHAN https://www.facebook.com/zainab.khan.967
Downtown St. Paul Voice
Another lovely article in my local paper, the Downtown St. Paul Voice. Our book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, was written by Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators (including me).
The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
MPR Radio Interview for Picture Book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN
Minnesota Public Radio’s host, Emily Bright, of the show Minnesota Now, interviewed our team about our dual-volume picture book about life during the pandemic. The House We Sheltered In / The Masks We Wore. Listen to the broadcast.
St. Paul, Author Freeman Ng, and fourteen international artists collaborated nationwide to create a picture book that helps kids process their experiences during this difficult period. This picture book celebrates the joys of homebound life and the collective heroism of our fight against COVID-19.
The House We Sheltered In / The Masks We Wore is a dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book.
Three Daughters Press, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-9906197-9-6
Written by poet and author Freeman Ng and illustrated by a team of 14 artists:
Alicia Schwab, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Ann Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Juliana Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble.
A day for celebration!!
“WHO says Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency.” Thank goodness.
BOOK LAUNCH: Yes, I made a book with TWO covers! I collaborated with a team of creators from around the globe. We made a #pb flipbook celebrating the joys of homebound life and the collective heroism of our fight against COVID-19. By author Freeman Ng & 14 international illustrators: Alicia Schwab, Anaya Pinney, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Anne Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Julianna Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble. https://pandemicpb.com/
BUY THIS BOOK!
ChildrensIllustrators.com
Hooray! My art is featured this week in the ChildrensIllustrators.com newsletter. I am working in two styles: painterly and graphic. This image is graphic with bold shapes and colors.
CINDERELLIOT
A Scrumptious Fairytale
by Mark Ceilley and Rachel Smoka-Richardson, and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Reading Wednesdays - CINDERELLIOT, by Mark Ceilley and Rachel Smoka-Richardson and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
AS: What’s your book about?
Mark/ Rachel: Cinderelliot is stuck at home taking care of his ungrateful stepsister and stepbrother. When Prince Samuel announces a kingdom-wide competition to join the royal staff as his baker, the stepsiblings insist that Cinderelliot bake their entries, leaving no time for he, himself, to compete.
Fairy Godfather Ludwig appears and magically helps Cinderelliot bake his best chocolate cake, clean up, and get to the competition via limo. At the bake-off, Prince Samuel falls in love with Cinderelliot’s cake, but our hero has to run off as the clock strikes midnight, leaving behind his chef hat.
The next day, Prince Samuel searches the kingdom for the owner of the hat and finds that it fits perfectly on Cinderelliot’s head. The prince is delighted to find not only his new baker but also the man of his dreams, and Cinderelliot creates a magnificent wedding cake–and the two live scrumptiously ever after.
AS: Tell me about yourselves. What inspired you to write this book?
MARK: I came up with the idea after reading the book Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack. This is a picture book about a prince and knight who fall in love and get married. Soon after I read it, I thought about Cinderella and wondered what it would be like to write a gay version. I wrote the first draft in July 2018.
The first draft had a sporting competition and two stepbrothers. That version had some trouble spots. I sent it to Rachel for feedback as we were friends and had met through Minnesota SCBWI conferences. We had also given each other feedback on other stories before CINDERELLIOT. www.markceilley.com
RACHEL: I graduated from the Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA in writing for children and young adults. During my time there I fell in love with writing picture books. When Mark sent me the original draft of CINDERELLIOT for editing, I was charmed by Ludwig and excited about the story potential—but my editing started to change the story, so I asked Mark if he would be interested in co-writing the manuscript. He agreed, and we spent the next 12 months passing the manuscript back and forth before we shared it with my agent, Dawn Frederick. Here’s a quick plug for my other three books—middle grade mysteries CHEER FEARS and TRACK AND FIELD TRICK, and biography MILLICENT SIMMONDS: ACTOR AND ACTIVIST—published by Capstone Press and available to order from your favorite bookstore. www.rachelsmokarichardson.com
AS: Can you tell me about the illustrator?
Mark/Rachel: Our editor invited us to send her a list of illustrators we thought might be a good fit for CINDERELLIOT, which included Stephanie Laberis. Our editor and art director selected two illustrators (one being Stephanie) and sent us their websites for our thoughts. Ultimately, they chose Stephanie—known for illustrating the infamous Grumpy Cat in several Little Golden Books—who was the perfect fit. You can see more of her work at https://stephlaberis.squarespace.com/.
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READING WEDNESDAY
May is #AAPIHeritageMonth (Asian American Pacific Islander). Thanks to #WeNeedDiverseBooks and other initiatives, there are more and more books portraying kids from all backgrounds. Find more AAPI picture books here.
TWO BICYCLES IN BEIJING by Teresa Robeson and Junyi Wu
A DIFFERENT POND by Bao Phi and Thi Bui
MY FIRST DAY by Phúng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên