I am looking for three Readers, to help me review middle grade and young adult manuscripts.

Publishing experience isn’t necessary; I’m looking for keen, thoughtful readers, who love YA and MG fiction and whose personal taste isn’t wildly different than mine. Especially important is knowledge of recent award-winners and New York Times bestsellers. Readers will have a firsthand view into an agent’s work and decision-making process. Past readers have been writers for children, children’s librarians, elementary school teachers, MFA students. All of them have been passionate about books for children and teens.

Here are some details:

• Readers review and report on one manuscript every week.
• I ask for a minimum six-month commitment, though many readers have stayed on longer.
• Communication is largely via email, though I also plan periodic Q&A sessions with readers (via gchat/skype

A big congratulations to Marcie Colleen for the publication of PENGUINAUT! This is Marcie’s second published picture book and we’re so happy to see it out in the world. GO, PENGUINAUT, GO!

Orville lives at the zoo, surrounded by animal pals who go on exciting adventures. A hang gliding rhino! A deep-sea diving giraffe! Orville struggles to keep up, until one day he concocts an adventure all his own: build a spaceship and fly to the moon all by himself. Can one tiny penguin get there alone?

Penguinaut is perfect for every child who’s said, “I can do it myself!” and comes to find that the rewards are much richer when shared with friends. Marcie Colleen’s playful text and Emma Yarlett’s charming, whimsical illustrations are sure to delight both children and their parents.

PENGUINAUT! is … [more]

Here’s something wonderful: there are now eight BABY LOVES books out in the world! Today, we celebrate the publication of GREEN ENERGY and STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING!

Big, brainy science for the littlest listeners.

Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby, this clever board book explores the climate of our planet and the need to protect it for all babies. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two as well!

These books are widely available at bookstores and libraries. Congratulations to Ruth Spiro!… [more]

Hello and welcome to the world, BE BOLD, BABY by Alison Oliver! I’m so excited that these two marvelous board books — BE BOLD, BABY: OPRAH and BE BOLD, BABY: MICHELLE OBAMA — are finally out in the world!

Be Curious

Be Confident

Be Empathetic

Be Active

Be Passionate

BE YOU!

Be Bold, Baby is the board book series that introduces little ones to the inspiring heroines of our time!

The series begins with a celebration of Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey’s most motivational and powerful moments. Quotes from the former First Lady and media mogul accompany a distillation of their most important qualities, while vibrant illustrations by Alison Oliver, author of Moon, and illustrator of the BabyLit series, bring them to life!

Each book ends with a mirror, so that young readers know that … [more]

Let’s all raise a glass and welcome DRINKING LIKE LADIES to the world!  This book features 75 delicious cocktail recipes dedicated to the proposition that a woman’s place is behind the bar. . . or in front of it. . . or really any place she pleases.

Acclaimed bartenders Kirsten Amann and Misty Kalkofen have scoured the globe collecting recipes–often from equally acclaimed female bartenders–pairing each tipple with a toast to a trailblazing lady. From gin to whiskey, tequila to punch, Drinking Like Ladies has a twist and a toast for every tippler, whatever your base spirit.

Congratulations, Kirsten and Misty!

 … [more]

Today I’m delighted to wish a happy pub day to a book that stole my heart from it’s very first line, A STITCH IN TIME!

Donut is an eleven-year old geography buff who keeps her taxidermied mice hidden in her late mother’s hope chest. Her pops passed away, leaving her an orphan. Stuffy Aunt Agnes has moved in, bringing along her lumpy oatmeal, knitting, and a plan to drag Donut off to Boston forever.

Donut stands to lose everything: her friends, her village, her home, the woods, and walks where the memories of her pops are stored up like the bread and butter pickles in canning jars on the shelf.

While Donut dodges the ache of missing her pops, she and her best friend Tiny plan how to keep her where she belongs. When Aunt … [more]

Today I’m delighted to wish a happy pub day to two books that couldn’t be more different, or more wonderful!

WHISPER OF THE TIDE follows Sarah’s debut novel, SONG OF THE CURRENT, out last June.

Caro and Markos have settled into a routine: Wake up, eat breakfast, and try to figure out who might attempt to assassinate Markos today . . . so the currents aren’t exactly calm. Markos is in constant danger, and his claim to the throne is shaky without the support of an army. When a powerful Archon offers Markos the military might he needs in exchange for marrying his daughter, Caro and Markos must decide which is more important: their love for each other or the fate of Akhaia.

Rich with shipwrecks, lost treasure, old and new enemies, dark magic, and … [more]

I’m delighted to wish this marvelous, funny book and it’s author, Paul Acampora, the very happiest of book birthdays!

Ellie Magari just learned that her mother is dead. Perhaps that would be sad if Ellie had ever met the woman. Exactly who was Ellie’s mom? Does it even matter that she’s gone? Perhaps a dead mom can still help Ellie figure out what it means to be a girl in the world today. Either way, Ellie wouldn’t mind a role model beyond her master chef Dad.

Fueled by the bighearted sounds of ’80s rock and roll, plus large doses of Cyndi Lauper’s girl-power joy, Confusion Is Nothing New is about friendship, family mysteries, and the perfect pizza. It’s also about fathers and daughters and girls who understand that it’s good to make things, but breaking … [more]