Cynsational News - Cynthia Leitich Smith

By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Mitu Malhotra, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations

Spotlight Image: Dream a Dress, Dream a Poem: Dressmaker and Poet, Myra Viola Wilds by Nancy Johnson James, illustrated by Diana Ejaita (Harry N. Abrams, 2024).

Author/Illustrator Insights

Five questions for Jason Reynolds from The Horn Book. Peek: “[We] like to tell stories about young people in this strange way where we…find ways to erase the parents and adults….[I]t’s important that young people are aware that…adults are still flawed human beings—messy, messy people—who are doing the best they can to make sure that they put young people in position to be less of a mess.”

Libba Bray Writes With No One Over Her Shoulder by Laura Simeon from Kirkus Reviews. Peek: “I don’t…think about a particular reader….Barbara Kingsolver said: ‘Close the door. Write with nobody looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you.’ That holds true for me….I’m not thinking about trying to appeal to someone; I’m thinking about trying to share with someone and also reveal [things] for myself.”

Interview With Amber Chen, Author of Of Jade and Dragons by Michele Kirichanskaya from Geeks Out. Peek: “[I]t’s useful to not insist on chasing perfection in your writing, because that perfect product you spend years…working on will still have to undergo surgery once you get your agent, and then more surgery when you sign with an editor. There will always be more chances to refine your work at later stages of the publishing process….”

Interview With Picture Book Author Gabriella Aldeman from KidLit in Color. Peek: “Find community. We pour a lot of ourselves into our books. And it can feel very vulnerable, especially because there’s a lot of rejection involved in the publishing journey. It really makes a difference to have a community of writers who are going through a similar process.”

MacKids Spotlight: Adina King from MacKids School and Library. Peek: “Books have been compared to many things, but for me they are like houses. A good book has attics and basements, maybe…cobwebs. A good book is going to have closets and cupboards, and maybe a yard that pisses off…the neighbors. But the best book is one in which you find a space that feels like yours.”

Black History Month 2025: Q&As With Black Picture Book Creators by Iyana Jones from Publishers Weekly. Peek: [Kwame Alexander:] “I have one goal: I want to change the world one word at a time….[I]f you want people to change the way they act, you change the way they think. If you want to change the way they think, you change the way they feel. I write to inform, to entertain, to educate, and to inspire.”

Equity & Inclusion

Top 10 Diverse Children’s Books of 2024 from KidLit TV. “We love to recommend diverse books for you to read all year long, but the votes are in and we want to share our list of absolute favorites of the year.”

WNDMG Author Interview With Raj Tawney on His Book All-Mixed Up by Shifa Safadi from From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors. Peek: “Growing up, I often felt lonely and like an outsider, but as time progressed, I’ve found that being mixed is actually an advantage and a superpower. I wanted to give young readers…more opportunities to see multi-cultural characters…We’re part of a growing trend in America and it was essential that I capture the cultural complexities…that come with being mixed.”

Inspiring Interview With Author-Illustrator Kaz Windness by Melissa Taylor from Imagination Soup. Peek: “The idea for [the book] came as I was talking to an illustration student about how going to school felt like being a bat in a classroom for mice. She said a story like that [about autism] would have helped her growing up. I realized a story like that could help my child, too.”

Talking With: Renée Watson by Ashley Leffel from Booklist. Peek: “I was thinking about how often I am pushing young girls to be…bold and brave and to speak up against injustice and be proud of their skin, their hair, how they show up in the world. I also want them to know it’s okay to be sad and…quiet…[Y]ou don’t always have to be okay.”

The Necessity for Marginalized Stories Today and Always, a Guest Post by Wahab Algarmi by Amanda MacGregor from Teen Librarian Toolbox. Peek: “Growing up, I didn’t have Arab American stories to turn to. As a kid, if I wanted Arab stories, I had to consume my parent’s entertainment which was completely old, stuffy, boring, and…foreign to me….So I grew up consuming and learning more about mainstream American culture and other minorities than I did anything about Arab American culture.”

Day 15: Bernette Ford by Bryan Avery from The Brown Bookshelf. Peek: “At the time I started in the publishing business in 1972, you could count on one hand the number of African Americans in children’s book publishing. There was very little place for black children’s books…but consciousness was starting to be raised. I worked really hard, I was good at what I did, and my talent was recognized….”

Writing Craft

Jose Pimienta Discusses Halfway to Somewhere by Betsy Bird from School Library Journal. Peek: “Names to me are very important….I spent too much time thinking who I was naming a character after, renaming them later and then changing my mind and thinking of something else. When I finally land on a name I’m comfortable with it’s a good day. Most characters are named after someone in my life…”

Day 4: Ken Daley by Nadia L. Hohn from The Brown Bookshelf. Peek: “My process for illustrating children’s books begins…by reading the manuscript carefully so I can build a connection with the story and the main character. Once I have a clear vision of the story, I sketch rough drafts…This helps me figure out the layout, composition and pacing of the illustrations—especially where page turns will occur.”

Day 8: Jerry Pinkney by Bryan Avery from The Brown Bookshelf. Peek: “Each project begins with the question, ‘Is this story worth telling? Is the manuscript an interesting read? Is it surprising and challenging? Will I, in the process of making pictures, learn something new?’ With these questions answered, I let the text speak…The style in which a story is written will offer me clues and give direction.”

The Fast-Paced, Page-Turning Adventure Series That’s a Celebration of African Cultures: Bernard Mensah Discusses “Kwame’s Magic Quest” by Betsy Bird from School Library Journal. Peek: “The [book] idea…came from three central questions…First, how do I connect my own kids to their heritage in a way that’s engaging and meaningful? Second, how do I excite any child…about African cultures and history? And third, how do I distill the vastness of Africa, with its diverse traditions, into stories that fit within the pages of a book….”

Interview With Melissa Iwai, Author of Dumplings for Lili by Michele Kirichanskaya from Geeks Out. Peek: “I do a lot of sketching with…pencil and paper. I…write in longhand in pen in a notebook when I am getting ideas and thoughts together. I love to plan my stories and problem-solve this way. For my illustrations I begin with my sketches and move on to painting and drawing with…materials like watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils.”

Day 9: Tonya Abari by Mélina Mangal from The Brown Bookshelf. Peek: “I’m going to find a way. I don’t just depend on the traditional methods of getting my work into the hands of editors. I’m big on word of mouth, networking with people (online and in person), being open to editors approaching me….I’ve been super blessed to have people speak my name into rooms for incredible opportunities.”

Publishing

Tundra Book Group Announces Indigenous-focused Children’s Imprint Swift Water Books from Quill & Quire. Peek: “Penguin Random House Canada has announced a new imprint at Tundra Book Group, Swift Water Books,…led by editorial director David A. Robertson, author of the bestselling Misewa Saga series…[It] will focus on titles by Indigenous writers and illustrators. Its first children’s books are set to be released in spring 2026. The imprint will publish a range of children’s books….”

Graphic Novels Are Booming in Popularity by Elizabeth Segran from Fast Company. Peek: “Publishers are now churning out thousands of new [graphic novel] titles every year…Since 2019, sales of graphic novels in the U.S. have doubled to 35 million books a year, a number behind only general fiction and romance….[G]raphic novels have increased in popularity by 69% among elementary school children. Several publishers…have specific children’s imprints devoted to graphic novels….”

Entangled Adds Mayhem and Mischief to Its Lineup by Sally Lodge from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “Entangled Publishing will soon expand its YA offerings with two new imprints, Mayhem Books and Mischief Books. The former, scheduled to debut this fall, will publish fiction for teens ages 16 and up; and the latter, which will launch in winter 2026, will issue novels aimed at readers ages 13 and up.”

Booksellers

The American Booksellers Association Children’s Institute (Ci2025) takes place Jun. 12 to Jun. 14 in Portland Oregon. The event offers “unique education for children’s booksellers in addition to general education sessions, roundtable discussions, networking events, receptions and parties, and dedicated time to network with booksellers, authors, and publishers from around the country.” Registration opens soon.

Libraries

After a Whirlwind 2024, Amanda Jones Looks Ahead to the New Year by Kara Yorio from School Library Journal. Peek: “Every time I…speak up for libraries, the attacks worsen…Heading into 2025, I will keep on doing what I have tried to always do—defend libraries with empathy, integrity, and the truth. It can be very tiring…But not to speak out and use the platform I’ve been given would be a waste of a privilege I have been afforded.”

New Year, New Ideas: Teachers and Librarians Share Their Plans for 2025 by Patricia J. Murphy from Publishers Weekly. Peek: [John Gleason, K–4 Librarian:] “To attract…readers, Gleason creates weekly book videos in which he previews new titles yet to be added to their library’s shelves….To be part of the videos, students need to read one of the new titles, record a video about it, submit it to Gleason, and wait. ‘The kids go nuts when they see themselves featured in the videos….”

Marketing

How Strategic Book Marketing Turned a Debut Romance Into a Global Success by Sandra Beckwith from Build Book Buzz. Peek: [Monica Saigal:] “I started by identifying key themes in the book that could connect with specific audiences…Then I created a detailed marketing plan that included reaching out to influential voices, scheduling events and blog tours, and planning social media campaigns. I also…[started] building anticipation through sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes updates on the writing process…[and began] [p]artnering with local book clubs….”

Education/Other Resources/Events

The London Book Fair takes place Mar. 11 to Mar. 13 at Olympia London. This fair is “where the global publishing community unites to develop relationships, gain insights, and define the future of creative content.” There are several Kidlit sessions. Register here.

School Library Journal is holding its seventh annual Middle Grade Magic free virtual event to celebrate authors and creators dedicated to crafting literature for children ages 8-12. “Get a first look at some of the most anticipated new titles for…young readers, from modern coming-of-age tales to eye-popping graphic novels to immersive fantasy.” The event takes place Mar. 6 from 7 a.m to 2 p.m. pacific, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. central, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. eastern. View the program here and register here.

Library Journal’s virtual Day of Dialog takes place Apr. 17 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. pacific, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. central, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern. “Spanning a variety of genres, this day-long program will offer an in-depth look at the biggest forthcoming books for summer/fall 2025. You’ll hear directly from top authors as they discuss their new titles, inspiration, process, and more.” The entire event will be available on-demand for three months from the event date. Register here.

The 2025 Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference takes place Apr. 4 to Apr. 6 at Columbia UniversityTeachers College in New York City. Erin Entrada Kelly is the keynote speaker.

Awards

Congratulations to the winners and honorees of the 2025 ALA Youth Media Awards, which include the Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal, Printz Award, Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award, Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, Margaret A. Edwards Award, Schneider Family Book Award, Schneider Younger Children’s Award, Schneider Middle Grade Award, Schneider Young Adult Award, Alex Awards, Children’s Literature Legacy Award, Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Odyssey Award, Pura Belpré Awards, Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award, Stonewall Book Award, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, William C. Morris Award, and YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.

Congratulations also to the winners and honorees of the 2025 ALA Affiliate Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature:

Picture Book: Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George, illustrated by Mae Waite (Red Comet Press, 2024).
Children’s Literature: Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod (First Second, 2024).
Young Adult Literature: Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay (Kokila, 2024).

Congratulations also to:

The Gold Metal and Silver (Honor) Metal recipients of the ALA Affiliate 2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award.
The winners and honorees of the 2025 Walter Dean Myers Awards.
The finalists of the 18th Annual Whitney Awards, especially in the categories of Young Adult, Young Adult Speculative, Young Adult Fantasy, and Middle Grade Fiction.
The winner and honorees of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s 2025 Charlotte Zolotow Award.
The 2024 Cybils Award Winners.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards Nominees, especially in the categories of Outstanding Literary Work–Children and Outstanding Literary Work–Youth/Teens.
The winners and honorees of the 2025 Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards.
The winners and honorees of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Golden Kite Awards and Sid Fleischman Award for Humor.
The 2025 Edgar Awards Nominees, especially in the categories of Best Juvenile and Best Young Adult.
The authors and illustrators whose books made the 74th National Jewish Book Awards list, especially in the categories of Children’s Picture Book, Middle Grade Literature, and Young Adult Literature.
The authors whose books were named to the Young Adult Library Association’s 2025 Best Fiction for Young Adults list.
The authors and illustrators whose books were named to the 2025 Rainbow Book List.
The authors and illustrators whose books made the 2025 Booklist from Rise: A Feminist Book Project.
The authors and illustrators whose books made the Children’s Cooperative Book Center’s 2025 Choices list.
The authors and illustrators whose book made the Association for Library Service to Children’s 2025 Notable Children’s Books list, in the categories of Younger Readers, Middle Readers, Older Readers, and All Ages.
The authors and illustrators whose books made the 2025 Texas Topaz Reading List.
The authors and illustrators whose books were named to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Best Canadian Books for Kids and Teens in 2024.
The authors and illustrators whose books made Literary Hub’s Most Anticipated Children’s Books of 2025 list.

Congratulations also to the winners of the 2025 Southern Book Prize, named by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, especially in the Young Readers category.

Congratulations also to the finalists of the 2025 Libby Book Awards, especially in the categories of Young Adult Fiction, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Picture Book.

Congratulations also to the authors and illustrators whose books made the Children’s Book Council’s 2025 Best STEM Books List, which “aims to provide recommendations to educators, librarians, parents, and guardians for the best children’s books with STEM content.”

Scholarships & Grants

The application window is open until Mar. 14 for the Books Save Lives grant, which was established by We Need Diverse Books “to provide up to $5,000 for schools and libraries to purchase books that reflect the world we live in.” Applicants must work full-time at a school library, public library, or educational organization within the United States. Apply here.

We Need Diverse Books’ Emergency Grants are currently available for Palestinian writers and illustrators, and diverse creators, writers, and publishing. professionals impacted by the L.A. wildfires (must live in Los Angeles). Apply here.

From This Cynsations Series

Native Voices: Author-Illustrator Cameron Mukwa on Learning & Growing as an Artist

More Personally – Cynthia

Brrr… It’s cold out there. We’re coming to you in the midst of awards season. Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon, Molly Murakami, and me was named to Bookelicious Favorite Books of the Year, ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children, and Notable Trade Books in Social Studies. My novel On a Wing and a Tear was named to King County Library System Best Kids Books, Sid Fleischman Humor Award Finalist, Reading the West Longlist, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. The book also received 5/5 stars from the San Francisco Book Review. Thank you to all of the judging committees!

Congratulations to Heartdrum authors and illustrators on their latest accolades!

Circle of Love by Monique Gray Smith and Nicole Niedhardt: KidLit TV’s Top 10 Diverse Children’s Books, ALA Rainbow Book List;
I Am Osage: How Clarence Tinker Became the First Native American Major General by Kim Rogers and Bobby Von Martin: Reading the West Longlist, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People;
Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell: NDN Girls Book Club Club Best Books; Publishers Weekly Best Books, Rise: A Feminist Book Project, Edgar Allen Poe Award Nominee, YALSA Top Ten Fiction for Young Adults, CCBC Choice, LA Times Book Prize Finalist;
Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley: King County Library System Best Kids Books, Reading the West Longlist, CCBC Choices;
Rez Ball by Byron Graves: YALSA Top Ten Fiction for Young Adults;
Stitches of Tradition (Gashkigwaaso Tradition) by Marcie Rendon and Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley: Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People;
When We Gather by Andrea L. Rogers and Madelyn Goodnight: Reading the West Longlist, CCBC Choices.

New imprint releases for 2025 are To Walk the Sky by Patricia Morris Buckley, which has so far received four starred reviews, and E.B. Lewis and Yáadilá! (Good Grief!) by Laurel Goodluck and Jonathan Nelson. Both were named to Literary Hub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2025.

Looking forward Legendary Frybread Drive-In, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum) is among Ms. Magazine’s Most Anticipated Feminist Books, and Cowboys & Indians Magazine named it as one of “10 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2025.”

More Personally – Gayleen

Most of my time lately revolves around studying library science through the University of North Texas’ online MLS program, but I also spoke at a ribbon cutting for the new Friends of the Library park adjacent to the Lago Vista Public Library – I coordinated contractors, volunteers and purchases to transform the vacant lot into a park. Weather permitting, I’ll be leading a Bluebonnet Book Club meeting at the park in a couple of weeks.

Also, I recently attended a presentation by Austin author Greg Foley at the new Cedar Park Public Library where he gave a presentation on his new graphic novel, Dex Dingo: World’s Best Greatest Ever Inventor (Disney, 2024). For that outing, I was wearing my bookseller hat and representing Paper Bark Birch Children’s Bookstore in Cedar Park, where I help out as needed.

Personal Links – Gayleen

Authors Against Book Bans, mission statement: We, a coalition of writers, illustrators, anthology editors and contributors, and other book creators, stand united against the deeply unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. We unequivocally support the availability of diverse voices on our library shelves, in our schools, and in our culture. We pledge to band together against the oppression of literature, to speak when our voices are silenced, to go where our bodies are needed, and to fight as one to ensure this freedom. Together, we will be fearless.