Down to the Last Detail: THE ENDLESS SEA

In addition to the spot gloss on the title, creator names, and the boat on this cover, there's a very subtle spot gloss and embossing that follows the curves of the sea foam. It's absolutely stunning in-person and an exquisite detail for a beautiful book.

Let's Talk Illustrators #316: Manuel Marsol

Every so often a book comes along that speaks to a very specific part of me. Astro by Manuel Marsol, translated by Lizzie Davis, is one such book. I'd like to let Manuel do the talking, though, so check out our conversation to learn more about this unique exploration of grief and loneliness.

Case(wrap) of the Mondays

We've got a case(wrap) of the Mondays!

Crushes of the Week: March 9-15, 2025

This week's crushes:

1. Finding Home: Amazing Places Animals Live by Mike Unwin and Jenni Desmond (Bloomsbury Children's Books, March 2025)
2. Finding Forgiveness by Marta Bartolj (Chronicle Books, March 2025)
3. Charley Mouse Cleans House by Katerina Gorelik (Red Comet Press, March 2025)
4. Caterpillar Chryzzle by Andrew Bond and Julie Völk (NorthSouth Books, March 2025)
5. Little Freddie Two Pants: (The Dog with Too Many Pants) by Drew Daywalt and Lucy Ruth Cummins (Philomel Books, February 2025)
6. Toto by Hyewon Yum (Neal Porter Book, January 2025)
7. The Story Factory by Jam Dong (Candlewick Press, January 2025)

      

Endpapers for the end of your week!

Let's Talk Illustrators #315: Britta Teckentrup

Late last year I took a trip to Holland and visited the Anne Frank house. Suffice it to say, walking through the house was one of the most impactful moments of my life. When I received The House on the Canal by Thomas Harding and Britta Teckentrup a few months later, it felt like fate to interview prolific illustrator Britta about her process. It's my honor to share that process with you all today. Enjoy the read!

Case(wrap) of the Mondays

We've got a case(wrap) of the Mondays!

Crushes of the Week: March 2-8, 2025

This week's crushes:

1. The Gnome Book by Loes Riphagen and Loes Ripjhagen (Pushkin Children's Books, March 2025)
2. The Secret Recipe by Ilan Stavans and Taia Morley (Kar-Ben Publishing, March 2025)
3. What Makes a Bird? by Megan Pomper and Maia Hoekstra (Owlkids, February 2025)
4. Little Lion Girl by Olivia Hope and Fiona Woodcock (Bloomsbury Children's Books, Febryary 2025)
5. Paloma Flies Away by María J. Guarda and Melanie Cordova (Candlewick Press, January 2025)

    

Endpapers for the end of your week!

Down to the Last Detail: ROCK

There is a really cool texturized coating on the rock on the cover of this book! It's very hard to show off on camera, but make sure you find a copy and give it a feel––it's awesome!

Let's Talk Illustrators #314: Angie Kang

I was so lucky to catch up with up-and-coming author-illustrator Angie Kang about her debut picture book Our Lake. I hope you enjoy taking a look at this beautiful, sweet book with us and how it came together!

Case(wrap) of the Mondays

We've got a case(wrap) of the Mondays!

Endpapers for the end of your week!

Let's Talk Illustrators #313: Aly McKnight

I am so excited to share my interview with Aly McKnight here with you all day! I can tell that Aly is an illustrator on the rise from her book The Gift of the Great Buffalo––lots of great things to come from Aly soon! Check out her process for The Gift of the Great Buffalo, written by Carole Lindstrom, below.

Case(wrap) of the Mondays

We've got a case(wrap) of the Mondays!

Crushes of the Week: February 16-22, 2025

This week's crushes:

1. Greatness by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, January 2025)
2. Thread by Thread by Alice Brière-Haquet and Michela Eccli and translated by Sarah Ardizzone (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, February 2025)
3. Duckie & Snaps: We Cannot Be Friends by Ame Dyckman and Tim Miller (Orchard Books, February 2025)
4. Moví La Mano / I Moved My Hand by Jorge Luján and Mandana Sadat and translated by Elisa Amado (Groundwood Books, January 2025)
5. Happy Holi!: Celebrating the Festival of Colors by Chitra Soundar and Amberin Huq (Bloomsbury Children's Books, February 2025)
6. Ada, Are You Ready? by Daishu Ma (Candlewick Press, January 2025)

 

    

Endpapers for the end of your week!

Down to the Last Detail: WEE UNICORN

This book is a three-fer! We have spot gloss on the front PLUS a subtle, white sparkle treatment for the wee unicorn and book title, AND there's a cute barcode design on the back! Chef's kiss!!

 

DUAL-FUNCTIONING BOOKS

There are some really cool books out there that go beyond being brick-and-mortar "text and illustration" books. They take things to the next level in that the physical book becomes a key part of the experience and incites its own separate experience. I have dubbed these dual-functioning books because––as the name would suggest––these books serve two functions: To be a book and to be something beyond a book. Check out some examples below!

                    

click on a book cover to see more

Case(wrap) of the Mondays

We've got a case(wrap) of the Mondays!

Crushes of the Week: February 9-15, 2025

This week's crushes:

1. When Spring Comes by Ekaterina Trukhan (Nosy Crow, February 2025)
2. Little Lion Girl by Olivia Hope and Fiona Woodcock (Bloomsbury Children's Books, February 2025)
3. Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me by Jennifer Bradbury and Pearl Auyeung (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, February 2025)
4. Dream a Dress, Dream a Poem: Dressmaker and Poet, Myra Viola Wilds by Nancy Johnson James and Diana Ejaita (Abrams Books for Young Readers, January 2025)
5. One Day: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust by Michael Rosen and Benjamin Phillips (Candlewick Studio, January 2025)
6. Soy Sauce! by Laura G. Lee (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, January 2025)
7. What the Kite Saw by Anne Laurel Carter and Akin Duzakin (Groundwood Books, January 2025)
8. Cat and Bird by Jo Empson (Child's Play International, October 2024)

       

Endpapers for the end of your week!