Amanda Davis's Blog
June 4, 2025
#RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Maria Wen Adcock
Rising Stars in KidLit began as a way to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world. These interviews cast a light on the wonderful work of pre-published or pre-agented authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars! Today we’re hosting a special Spotlight series with author, Maria Wen Adcock, so we can learn all about her path to publication and her latest picture book, MY NAME IS AI LIN, iIllustrated by Yu Ting Cheng, releasing on July 1, 2025, with Sleeping Bear Press. Maria has also generously offered to giveaway a signed copy of MY NAME IS AI LIN to one lucky winner. Details on entry at the end of this post.
Meet Rising Star
Author Maria Wen Adcock!
Maria Wen Adcock is a first-generation Chinese American writer and is also the author of It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George. She is the founder of the award-winning Bicultural Mama blog and has appeared in Bloomberg News, HuffPost, and Newsday, and on The Dr. Oz Show. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and the cohost of the annual event Read Your World Day. She lives on Long Island in New York.
About the Illustrator:
Yu Ting Cheng is a Taiwanese illustrator whose experiences abroad resonate deeply with Ai Lin’s journey. Yu lives in Taipei, Taiwan.
AD: Hi Maria! Thanks so much for visiting the blog again and always being such a thoughtful and supportive participant in the KidLit community. So happy to have you back! Before we jump into the interview, congrats to you on your forthcoming title, MY NAME IS AI LIN, illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng. Can you share with everyone a bit more on how this story came to publication?
MWA: I’m thrilled to share news of my second children’s book, My Name Is Ai Lin! Published by Sleeping Bear Press and illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng, My Name Is Ai Lin will be released on July 1, 2025. Here’s what it’s about:
In this empowering story, one child shows that by making the effort to properly pronounce someone’s name, we send the welcoming message that everyone is worthy of respect and dignity.
When Ai Lin starts school, none of her classmates can say her name. The children make several attempts, but they still cannot pronounce it properly. They ask Ai Lin if they can just call her by another name. It’s not that important, right? But Ai Lin knows the significance of her Chinese name. No, it can’t be changed. Her name is part of her identity and heritage. Her name was chosen not only for what it means, but also for how it sounds. It ties her to her family—present and past—and to its traditions.
When Ai Lin shares her family history with her classmates, they come to understand that a name can be a person’s story, special and unique. Ai Lin’s name, and all that it means and stands for, is as personal as a fingerprint, as distinct as a snowflake.
My wonderful agent, Lynnette Novak from the Seymour Agency, loved the manuscript when she first read it. She shared it with her team, who also loved it. Next, she pitched it to editors. Two publishers were interested in the manuscript. One publisher requested changes that altered the storyline. The other publisher loved it the way it was. That publisher was Sleeping Bear Press, with whom I decided to move forward with as we shared the same vision for this book.
My Name Is Ai Lin is available for preorders until its launch date on July 1, 2025. Find it on Amazon (Kindle & Hardcover), the publisher’s website, and other online bookseller sites nationwide.
AD: Alright now off to the speed round…
Author who inspired you? Grace LinCoffee, tea (or neither)? I drink both, but prefer tea throughout the day. If I drink anything with caffeine past the afternoon, it keeps me up at night!Where is your safe place? My homeDogs, cats, (or neither)? I’m a cat person. I have 2 cats!Early bird or night owl? Night owlThree words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world… Perseverance, Faith, CreativityAD: Okay, now down to the serious stuff….p lease dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books.
MWA: When I was a kid, I knew I wanted to write a book, but didn’t know how to do it. I tucked that idea in the back of my head for decades. In the meantime, I went to college and then worked in marketing in corporate America. After my first child was born, I made a career change and decided to pursue writing. I gained experience freelance writing, started a parenting blog BiculturalMama.com, and eventually found my way back to writing a book.
AD: Are there any topics or themes you tend to focus on in your writing? And similarly, what inspires your work? My stories tend to have multicultural themes with a focus on Asian American culture. I write picture books, though I’ve been dabbling in writing a middle grade novel.
Interior art from MY NAME IS AI LIN ©2025 Maria Wen Adcock and Yu Ting Cheng
AD: Let’s talk more about breaking into the publishing industry- it’s not easy! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere?
MWA: Besides lots of rejections? Well, it is not easy getting a literary agent. More authors are looking for an agent than the other way around. It took me years to get an agent. I just kept trying because I believed that not trying didn’t solve anything. I feel extremely fortunate that I eventually found a literary agent who believed in my work.
“I just kept trying because I believed that not trying didn’t solve anything.”
AD: What has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your writing journey?
MWA: My biggest accomplishment is achieving my childhood dream of writing a book. Little me did not know this would be possible. It has been quite a long journey to get to where I am today. I feel my writing journey is just getting started. I have more stories I want to share with the world.
AD: You have several books published so at this point you must also have a feel for your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?
MWA: I feel my strengths are the perspective I’ve gained growing up in a bicultural household that fused Chinese and American heritages. My writing is often inspired by my own experiences growing up. My new book, My Name Is Ai Lin, includes the history of the real-life Chinese names of my daughters. Ai Lin and Ai Mei are their Chinese names. The story is from a unique angle stemming from my personal experience.
The Real-Life Ai Lin & Ai Mei when they were around the same ages as the characters in the book [Photo credit: Trenda Knezek of 6 Little Feet, LLC]
Ai Lin & Ai Mei in MY NAME IS AI LIN [Illustrator: Yu Ting Cheng]
AD: What inspires your work?MWA: Some stories need to be told and shared. These stories may be nuanced, such as capturing a moment in time. However, it is these small moments that can create memories, encourage understanding, or spark a passion.
Interior art from MY NAME IS AI LIN ©2025 Maria Wen Adcock and Yu Ting Cheng
AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck?
MWA: If I have an idea, I will create a document on my computer and type the thoughts coming to my mind. Later, I try to piece these thoughts together to see how the story develops. I give the story the freedom to flow where it wants to go as I’m writing it. When the story starts to feel forced, that’s when I know I’m stuck. I will stop and take a break from that story and eventually revisit it. The break is often what is needed to get back on track.
AD: Great reminders! What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth?
MWA: Critique groups have been essential for the development of my stories. We’re often too close to our stories to see any issues. That’s where critique group members come in. They share their honest feedback constructively. I have also found it helpful to attend SCBWI workshops to further develop my writing skills.
AD: What other advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?
MWA: Join a critique group and become an SCBWI member, where you can gain access to invaluable resources. Remember, this is a long game…it can take years to get your big break, but keep persevering!
AD: Where can readers stay connected with you so we can continue to soak up your tips and tricks :)?
Follow me on Facebook (@MariaWenAdcockAuthor) and Instagram (@BiculturalMama). Visit my website https://MariaWenAdcock.com and check out the Author Visits page to learn more about booking me for your school or library.
Maria, thank you so much for joining us for this special Spotlight feature on Rising Stars in KidLit! Congrats again on MY NAME IS AI LIN, which is now available for preorder HERE! Feel free to drop a comment below to support Maria and her work. Be sure to subscribe to the Rising Stars series so you don’t miss out on the next Rising Stars in Kidlit feature and follow along on Instagram at #RisingStarsinKidlit!
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
[image error] Follow Maria & Amanda on Instagram
[image error] Share in your Stories on Instagram
[image error] Tag 3 friends in the comments on Instagram
One lucky winner will be chosen for the Giveaway! The deadline for the contest is , June 17th, at 9AM EST. The winner will be announced shortly after on Instagrm. If you’d like to preorder a copy of Maria’s debut picture book, MY NAME IS AI LIN, check out the link below.
The post #RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Maria Wen Adcock appeared first on Amanda Davis.
January 30, 2025
READ YOUR WORLD DAY 2025!
Today is Read Your World Day, and I’m celebrating by sharing a review for an awesome, multicultural picture book titled, GAZILL HILL. Before I dive into my review, here is a little bit more information about what Read Your World Day is and how it came to be.
Read Your World is a non-profit whose mission is to ensure that every child has access to diverse and inclusive children’s literature. By providing a wide range of books that reflect various cultures, identities, and experiences, they aim to foster literacy, empathy, and inclusivity in young readers-believing that every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read and to understand the world through the perspective of others.
Founded in 2012 by Valarie Budayr from Audrey Press Books and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, Read Your World Day grew out of their own frustrations with the lack of diverse books for their own families. As a result, they decided to team up to create an event that would help raise awareness around children’s books that celebrate diversity but also get these books into classrooms and libraries around the world. Read Your World is an online and offline celebration that attracts thousands of supporters, educators, parents, caregivers, book reviewers, and quality authors and publishers who join forces to shine the spotlight on diversity in children’s and young adult literature.
Celebrated annually on the last Thursday in January, this global non-profit offers a plethora of free resources, teaching tools, booklists, downloads, and a year-round initiative to get multicultural and diverse books into the hands of young readers. To date, they have donated over 10,800+ books to underserved kids, classrooms, and organizations, and that number continues to climb.
They also create resources to help readers, educators, librarians, parents, and caretakers find the right diverse books that they need.
I’m excited to participate this year by reviewing GAZILL HILL by Claudette Shatto (Author), Nejla Shojaie (Illustrator).
“She tried again. Her head swelling with pride. Riley pedaled with more confidence.”
GAZILL HILL is the perfect reminder that perseverance pays off. Follow young Riley as she ventures into a training wheel-free ride down Gazill Hill. At first Riley is hesitant to try something new and venture out from the comfort of her training wheels but as she sees and hears all the fun the neighborhood kids are having as they coast down Gazill Hill, she wants to join, too. After being told she can only join if she rides without training wheels, Riley is determined to learn. With the help of her mother’s encouragement and countless attempts, she accomplishes her goal and reaps the rewards of her hard work learning a new skill. A great book to encourage young readers to try new things and never give up! Perfect for school and home libraries. I also appreciated how the book features a multiracial main character and family, which resonated with my biracial child and family.
More about the book:
Join us on an adventure down Gazill Hill, (as in gazillion) a heartwarming tale of bravery and perseverance.
Young Riley learns to face her fears and ride a bike without training wheels. Supported by her parents and inspired by her neighborhood friends, Riley embraces the challenge of Gazill Hill, learning valuable lessons about taking positive risks.
I encourage you to check out this lovely book and the READ YOUR WORLD online auction!
The post READ YOUR WORLD DAY 2025! appeared first on Amanda Davis.
August 10, 2024
#RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Heather C. Morris
Rising Stars in KidLit began as a way to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world. These interviews cast a light on the wonderful work of pre-published or pre-agented authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars! Today we’re hosting a special Spotlight series with author, Heather C. Morris, so we can learn all about her path to publication and debut picture book, TRUNK GOES THUNK!, iIllustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne. Heather has also offered to giveaway a Picture Book Critique and BONUS 30-Minute Ask Me Anything Session
! Make sure to read all the way to the end of the interview for details on how to enter the giveaway. Thanks, Heather!
Meet Rising StarAuthor Heather Morris!
Heather C. Morris writes books full of science, wonder, and imagination for kids of all ages. She is the author of six books and stories for kids, including her debut picture book Trunk Goes Thunk! (Gnome Road Publishing) and a ghost story in the Haunted States of America Anthology (Godwin Books/Macmillan). She is a member of SCBWI and the 12×12 picture book challenge community, and her short stories and poetry have appeared in multiple arts journals and anthologies. You can learn more at heathercmorris.com.
AD: Hi Heather! Thanks so much for visiting the blog and always being such a thoughtful and supportive participant in the KidLit community. Before we jump into the interview, congrats to you on your forthcoming title, TRUNK GOES THUNK!, Illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne and your recent signing with an agent! I know the agent search was a big challenge for you. Can you share with everyone a bit more on how you found your agent?
HM: Thank you so much! I’m ecstatic to now have the expertise and support of Kristen Terrette at Martin Literary Management as I make my way through this wild and wonderful publishing industry! How I signed is a pretty fun story.
At the end of April, I attended my SCBWI region’s annual conference. Kristen was one of the faculty, and because she was high on my list of agents that I wanted to work with, I signed up for a pitch session. After the session was over, she pulled me aside, handed me her card, and told me to send that story and others directly to her email. Not through QueryManager! Fast forward one month. Another faculty member at the same conference – an editor at Doubleday – was taking picture book submissions for conference attendees. I sent her one of my manuscripts and she responded within minutes requesting more of my work…specifically an expanded version of a short story on my website! After I finished polishing my picture book package, I sent it directly to five agents that I had met at conferences or through referrals. Kristen responded right away, asking if we could set up a call to discuss representation! I signed with her shortly after. I am so grateful for and impressed by her enthusiasm, business acumen, and kindness. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Whoosh! Crash! Thunk! Follow along as the LOUD sounds of a falling tree signal the transformation of a QUIET area of the forest into a flourishing center of activity. This lyrical nonfiction story uses word opposites such as small and large, dark and light, high and low, and fast and slow to introduce young readers to the natural recycling of fallen timber into log bridges. From bears, porcupines and raccoons to eagles, mice and deer, a host of forest animals repurpose a fallen tree, connecting two sides of a stream together throughout the seasons.
AD: Alright now off to the speed round…
Top three favorite children’s books of all time? Bridge to Terabithia, King of the Wind, Extra Yarn Coffee, tea (or neither)? Coffee when in the US, tea when visiting Great Britain
Where is your safe place? Wherever my family is.Dogs, cats, (or neither)? Both! I absolutely love animals. I have two cats and a dog and have had hamsters, gerbils, even a horse. Early bird or night owl? Not really either. I work best in the middle of the day. Three words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world…Persistence, patience, and childlike wonder AD: Okay, now down to the serious stuff….p lease dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books.
“Everyone in academia repeats the phrase, “publish or perish”! So, I wrote and wrote and wrote.”
HM: My journey is a convoluted one! Although I’ve always enjoyed writing (I found my grandparents’ typewriter when I was six and spent hours typing instead of playing or visiting with family. Ha! Still have the stories I typed out!), I also loved science. I never quite knew what to do with both of these interests. Everyone told me I would have to choose one or the other, which was partly true. Science and math are objective disciplines – there’s only one way to balance an equation – and, when I was younger, I relished how solid and factual chemistry and biology are. Especially compared to the subjectivity of English or Creative Writing. So I decided to major in biology. I loved it and went on to get my master’s degree in molecular microbiology, where I was pleasantly surprised by how much writing is required in the science world. Proposals, journal articles…everyone in academia repeats the phrase, “publish or perish”! So, I wrote and wrote and wrote. Then my husband and I began to have children, and I started working for a private company.
But all throughout middle school, high school, college, grad school, early years of parenting, I wrote fiction – short stories, the beginnings of novels, whatever I could manage. Then, about five years ago, my husband encouraged me to pursue my dream of publishing a children’s book (I’d written one that I was convinced was the best! Ha!). I quickly realized that I could speak to kids’ sense of wonder when they view the world, that I could talk about having interests that seem to conflict, that I could tell stories that incorporate cool scientific advances and cutting-edge facts.
AD: That’s amazing you found a way to combine both of your passions and how sweet it all started with your grandfather’s old typewriter 
It seems your love for writing started young but did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs?
HM: No, I’ve always had a variety of interests. When I was a kid, I said I wanted to be a veterinarian, author, ballerina, and astronaut! When I grew up, I’ve had the privilege of working in a major science laboratory, publishing my research in major science journals, working for a pharmaceutical company, and finally for a NASA contractor for sixteen years! I’ve talked with astronauts, designed experiments that were conducted on the International Space Station, and conducted experiments in extreme environments. It’s been a wild ride, and I can’t wait for this next leg of the journey!
AD: Wow! I bet you have so many seeds for stories woven into each of those experiences! With such a varied background, are there any topics or themes you tend to focus on in your writing? And similarly, what inspires your work?
“I love to highlight the wonder of nature and being outside. I am energized by exploring the woods and waters around my home in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain.”
HM: In fact, the part of the United States where I live is one of the most biodiverse places in the country! For a biologist and a writer, this couldn’t be better.
I also love to explore the themes of second chances and redemption – that beauty can come from a terrible mess. All kinds of things inspire my work – mostly my own children or being outside. But I also draw on my own memories of being a kid – what were the things I feared or loved when I was seven? Ten? Thirteen? – and I’ve even used stories that my grandparents told me when I was growing up! It even could be a sentence that one of my friends says in passing that sparks an idea.
Interior spread from TRUNK GOES THUNK! Illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, releasing with Gnome Road Publishing on September 10th.
AD: Sounds like inspiration is all around you! Now let’s talk more about breaking into the publishing industry- it’s not easy! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere?
HM: It is incredibly hard to break into publishing! The biggest challenge so far was securing an agent to represent my work.
It’s been very helpful to find communities of other writers! My critique groups and my SCBWI region have been supportive resources and provided so much encouragement. I’ve had many, many SO CLOSE moments over the past few years, and they’ve helped me celebrate my successes and cheered me on as I keep pursuing this crazy career.
AD: And you most recently celebrated that BIG moment of signing with your agent, congrats again! Perseverance pays off and having support along the way makes all the difference-especially since as creators (and humans), we tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas of improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well. With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your writing journey?
HM: Now, after many years, I have a MUCH better idea of what it takes to write a picture book…after writing at least thirty of them (complete!). I also have a MUCH better idea of how to even begin writing a novel, much less finishing one. And that’s after writing three of them. We’ll see how I feel once I finish revising three and start drafting the fourth.
AD: Congrats on thirty complete stories! At this point you must also have a feel for your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?
HM: Based on feedback from various readers, I think my characters’ voices sound real and authentic, grabbing my audience and pulling them into the story. Also, another strength of mine is crafting atmospheric settings and incorporating animals or nature.
Heather has a ghost story published in the Haunted States of America Anthology, out now with Godwin Books/Macmillan!
AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck?
HM: I don’t really struggle with ideas, but I do struggle with execution sometimes. Or revision. Moving to a new location when I revise helps so much. As does reading out loud. Writing the same scene or picture book from a different POV helps. Mentor texts do also – how did this author solve the same kind of problem.
AD: Great reminders! What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth?
HM: Being a member of SCBWI, taking classes and webinars through the Highlights Foundation, attending as many in-person conferences as I can afford, my critique groups, and, of course, writing, writing, WRITING!! And I don’t only write picture books and middle grade. I have a chapter book sitting on my computer, a short memoir piece in an anthology, fantasy short stories, and a mystery short story coming out in an anthology in 2025.
AD: So cool how you are able to write in so many varied genres. It must keep things interesting and challenging. I can imagine how this would help you continue to develop as a writer. This is a great thing to keep in mind for all of us! What other advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?
HM: Everyone says to keep reading and to keep writing…and that’s really good advice! BUT…something else I’ve learned that I need to do – do something else creative and/or active also. Garden, jog, bake, sew, craft, weightlift, build something, film a movie. This especially helps when you’re waiting on agent/editor responses. Sometimes you need to give your brain and heart a break (even for just a few days). I find that I dive back into writing refreshed and renewed.
AD: I love that idea of giving your heart a break, too. We put so much of ourselves and our emotions into our stories and that part of us needs a break, too! Where can readers stay connected with you so we can continue to soak up your tips and tricks :)?
HM: I’d love to have you drop by my website at https://heathercmorris.com! I’m also on Twitter/X at @morrwriting or on Instagram at @morr_writing.
Heather, thank you so much for joining us for this special Spotlight feature on Rising Stars in KidLit! Congrats again on TRUNK GOES THUNK!, which is now available for preorder HERE! Feel free to drop a comment below to support Heather and her work. Be sure to subscribe to the Rising Stars series so you don’t miss out on the next Rising Stars in Kidlit feature and follow along on X at #RisingStarsinKidlit!
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
Win a Picture Book Critique and 30-Minute AMA with Heather! TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Follow Heather & Amanda on X Repost this post on X w/a link to the blog feature Tag 3 friends in the comments on X
One lucky winner will be chosen for the Giveaway! The deadline for the contest is Tuesday, August 27th, at 9AM EST. The winner will be announced shortly after on X. If you’d like to preorder a copy of Heather’s debut picture book, TRUNK GOES THUNK!, check out the link below.
PREORDER TRUNK GOES THUNK HERE!
The post #RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Heather C. Morris appeared first on Amanda Davis.
January 25, 2024
Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and I’m celebrating by sharing a review for an awesome, multicultural board book titled, READ TO ME. Before I dive into my review, here is a little bit more information about What Multicultural Children’s Book Day is and how it came to be.
Founded in 2012 by Valarie Budayr from Audrey Press Books and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, Multicultural Children’s Book Day grew out of their own frustrations with the lack of diverse books for their own families. As a result, they decided to team up to create an event that would help raise awareness around children’s books that celebrate diversity but also get these books into classrooms and libraries around the world. This event is now known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) and is celebrated every year on the last Friday in January. Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) is an online and offline celebration of thousands of supporters, educators, parents, caregivers, book reviewers, and quality authors and publishers who team up to spotlight diversity in children through YA literature. Over the course of its eight year run, the MCBD non-profit has donated over 8,000 books to kids and the initiative has expanded offline to classrooms programs, celebrations and global connections.
I’m excited to participate this year by reviewing READ TO ME written by Judi Moreillon, illustrated by Kyra Teis and published by Star Bright Books. The book is available in HAITIAN CREOLE/ENGLISH SPANISH/ENGLISH.
“Read to me and watch me grow. Tell me all the tales you know.”
Read to Me written by Judi Moreillon, illustrated by Kyra Teis, published by Star Bright Books, is a gentle rhyming board book that highlights the benefits, joys, fun, and excitement of reading together. Moreillon’s text is sweet and melodic, touching upon the idea of different types of stories ranging from picture books and nursery rhymes to family stories and song.
The refrain of “read to me” is included throughout, emphasizing the power of instilling a love for reading at a young age. A sense of love and connection is communicated through the soft and sweet illustrations along with a depiction of diversity and multiculturalism—a good reminder that reading can be an activity that is enjoyed by everyone. I appreciate how I can read the book to my daughter, who is biracial and she can see herself and our family in the pages of the book. I also love how the author donates a portion of the proceeds of the book to Pima County Libraries L.I.F.T. Project (Literacy Involves Families Together.)
For more MCBD fun, follow along on social media at #ReadYourWorld!!
BONUS! Check out this MCBD Diversity Book List & Activities for Teachers and Parents!
The post Multicultural Children’s Book Day! appeared first on Amanda Davis.
May 15, 2023
#RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Federico Erebia
Rising Stars in KidLit began as a way to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world. These interviews cast a light on the wonderful work of pre-published or pre-agented authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars! Today we’re hosting a special Spotlight series with author, Federico Erebia, so we can learn all about his path to publication! Federico has also offered to giveaway advanced reader copies of his debut novel, Pedro & Daniel, illustrated by Julie Kwon,
to THREE lucky winners! Make sure to read all the way to the end of the interview for details on how to enter the giveaway. Thanks, Federico!
Meet Rising Star
Author Federico Erebia!
Photo Credit © Joel Benjamin Federico Erebia is a retired physician, woodworker, author, and illustrator. Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido, 2023) is his debut novel. He serves on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund Steering Committee, and is a member of several writing groups. He enjoys the intersections of his neurodivergent, gay, and Latino identities. He lives in Massachusetts with his husband and their furry bubbies.
Welcome, Federico and congrats on your upcoming debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL! I'm thrilled to have you here to celebrate and chat about your publication journey! Thank you so much, for your generous giveaway, too! Make sure to enter for your chance to win advanced reader copies of PEDRO & DANIEL! Details on how to enter at the bottom of the interview.
Federico's debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon, releases with Levine Querido on June 6th! AD: Let’s start with a speed round…Top three favorite children’s book authors? The Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Julián is a Mermaid.Coffee, tea (or neither)? Coffee, but most of my life it was OJ. Where is your safe place? Our bed, before lights out, when I'm most creative, while my husband reads, our dogs sleep between us, and I know that they are all safe, healthy, and nearby.Dogs, cats, (or neither)? Dogs, although I’ve had, and love, cats.Early bird or night owl? Night owl.Three words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world…imagination, persistence, revisions.AD: Okay, now down to the serious stuff. Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs?
FE: Thanks for having me! I retired from my primary care/HIV/AIDS practice in 2013. About thirty years ago, I started my creative phase: primarily woodworking, furniture design, and photography which became my full-time jobs when I left medicine. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I transitioned to writing and illustrating. I self-published the Pepito The Squirrel books. Then I realized that I knew nothing about the publishing industry. So in January 2021, I joined SCBWI, 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, created a Twitter account, and dove in. It’s been a whirlwind adventure! My debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido) comes out on June 6.
AD: Wow! That's quite the timeline. It sounds like your road to publication happened rather quickly. Is that the case?
FE: Yes! That is a very quick timeline. It was serendipity that put me and my editor on a mutually auspicious collision course, weeks after I wrote a picture book manuscript: I don’t have an agent. That manuscript has expanded into the first chapter of a full-length novel. Pedro & Daniel was thirty years in the making, but I started writing it two years ago. It’s a fictional account of my relationship with my brother, Daniel. It spans 24 years, and explores many societal themes. I’m very proud of the finished book.
Art from Federico's debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing? Favorite genres you like to write in or techniques?FE: There are two things that guide me: representation matters, and write what you know. Therefore, I tend to include the intersectionalities of my LGBTQIA, neurodivergent, and Latino experiences in my writing. I have written picture book manuscripts, essays, and a young adult novel. I’m writing a graphic novel, a short story for an anthology [fingers crossed], and an adult fiction novel. I guess I don’t have a favorite book genre or book length at this point.
AD: I love how versatile you are and not afraid to try new genres. Tackling a new genre isn't easy and neither is breaking into the publishing industry! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere? FE: My biggest challenge has been with marketing myself as an author. I have experience with marketing myself as a woodworker and artist. I learned a lot from self-publishing, and I’ve been studying how others launch their books. I was selected to be in the Poets & Writers publicity incubator, and I’m in two debut groups. So, I’ve learned a lot. I plan to share what I’ve picked up about marketing & publicity in blogs, webinars, and conferences.
AD: Yes! Marketing can be so difficult. It sounds like you have the support of several kidlit groups, which is super helpful. I'll definitely be checking out your marketing and publicity info once avilable. I'm always improving in that realm! Speaking of improving, as creators (and humans), we tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas for improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well. With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your journey?
FE: I am most proud of how I structured and formatted Pedro & Daniel: I use first and third person narration, with several points of view; the writing includes prose, lyrical text, and various forms of poetry; there are four main story arcs. It’s unlike any other book I’ve read, and folks seem to love it.
Art from Federico's debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon AD: In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?FE: I don’t [necessarily] do it on purpose, but I break all the rules of writing. It’s simply the way I write. I also think it’s silly to put rules on a creative process. Very little remains constant. Everything evolves. Think about how language and art have changed since humankind came into existence. I write what I need to write . . . what I want to read.
AD: What inspirational words! What else inspires your work?
FE: I’ve always had an active imagination, and a drive to create. Most of it stays in my head [my neurodivergence at work], until I take the time to create, in whatever medium is needed.
AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck?
FE: I always have multiple stories, illustrations, and projects going at the same time, usually on different computers and/or programs. I’ve got a wonderful workshop where I can create while other ideas percolate. It’s hard to describe how my mind is constantly ruminating multiple thoughts and projects at the same time.
Art from Federico's debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon AD: What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author?FE: Critique partners are the most important tool authors and illustrators have for honing their work. They represent our ultimate clients: readers [or an agent or editor]. I’ve had some wonderful CPs.
AD: Yes!! CP's are the best! What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?
FE: Find your writing community; have honest, but kind critique partners; make time to create; avoid regrets.
AD: Honesty and kindness--love that! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
FE: Thanks so much for having me!
Pedro & Daniel Pre-order and other details at https://FJEbooks.com
I am mostly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FedericoErebia
Art from Federico's debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon Federico, thank you so much for joining us for this special Spotlight feature on Rising Stars in KidLit! Congrats again on PEDRO & DANIEL which is now available for preorder! Feel free to drop a comment below to support Federico and his work. Be sure to subscribe to the Rising Stars series so you don't miss out on the next Rising Stars in Kidlit feature and follow along on Twitter at #RisingStarsinKidlit! 
WIN AN ADVANCED READER COPY OF PEDRO & DANIEL! 
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK...Pedro and Daniel are Mexican American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mother resents that Pedro is a spitting image of their darker-skinned father; that Daniel likes dolls; that neither boy plays sports. Both are gay and neurodivergent. They are alike, but they are dissimilar in their struggles, their dreams, their approach to life.
Pedro & Daniel is a deeply personal novel that spans from the boy’s childhood until they are young men. Together, they find joy and laughter as they endure abuses, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS pandemic, in a coming-of-age story unlike any other.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
✅ Follow Federico & Amanda on Twitter
✅ Retweet this post on Twitter w/a link to the blog feature
✅ Tag 3 friends in the comments on Twitter
THREE random winners will be selected to receive a signed copy of PEDRO & DANIEL! The deadline for this contest is Friday, May 26th at 9AM EST. The winners will be announced shortly after on Twitter. If you'd like to order your own copy of the book, check out the link below. CLICK HERE TO PREORDER PEDRO & DANIEL
Photo Credit © Angela Wood Photography Hi! I'm Amanda!Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her family and her rescue pup, Cora.
Amanda is represented by Jennifer Unter of The Unter Agency.
Amanda's newest release, MOONLIGHT MEMORIES, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, (WorthyKids, 6/13/2023) is now available for preorder!
PREORDER A SIGNED COPY OF MOONLIGHT MEMORIES HERE!
#RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Federico Erebia
Author Federico Erebia!
Photo Credit © Joel Benjamin
Federico Erebia is a retired physician, woodworker, author, and illustrator. Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido, 2023) is his debut novel. He serves on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund Steering Committee, and is a member of several writing groups. He enjoys the intersections of his neurodivergent, gay, and Latino identities. He lives in Massachusetts with his husband and their furry bubbies.
Welcome, Federico and congrats on your upcoming debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL! I’m thrilled to have you here to celebrate and chat about your publication journey! Thank you so much, for your generous giveaway, too! Make sure to enter for your chance to win advanced reader copies of PEDRO & DANIEL! Details on how to enter at the bottom of the interview.
Federico’s debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon, releases with Levine Querido on June 6th!
AD: Let’s start with a speed round…
Top three favorite children’s book authors? The Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Julián is a Mermaid.Coffee, tea (or neither)? Coffee, but most of my life it was OJ. Where is your safe place? Our bed, before lights out, when I’m most creative, while my husband reads, our dogs sleep between us, and I know that they are all safe, healthy, and nearby.Dogs, cats, (or neither)? Dogs, although I’ve had, and love, cats.Early bird or night owl? Night owl.Three words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world…imagination, persistence, revisions.
AD: Okay, now down to the serious stuff. Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs?
FE: Thanks for having me! I retired from my primary care/HIV/AIDS practice in 2013. About thirty years ago, I started my creative phase: primarily woodworking, furniture design, and photography which became my full-time jobs when I left medicine. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I transitioned to writing and illustrating. I self-published the Pepito The Squirrel books. Then I realized that I knew nothing about the publishing industry. So in January 2021, I joined SCBWI, 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, created a Twitter account, and dove in. It’s been a whirlwind adventure! My debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido) comes out on June 6.
AD: Wow! That’s quite the timeline. It sounds like your road to publication happened rather quickly. Is that the case?
FE: Yes! That is a very quick timeline. It was serendipity that put me and my editor on a mutually auspicious collision course, weeks after I wrote a picture book manuscript: I don’t have an agent. That manuscript has expanded into the first chapter of a full-length novel. Pedro & Daniel was thirty years in the making, but I started writing it two years ago. It’s a fictional account of my relationship with my brother, Daniel. It spans 24 years, and explores many societal themes. I’m very proud of the finished book.
Art from Federico’s debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon
AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing? Favorite genres you like to write in or techniques?
FE: There are two things that guide me: representation matters, and write what you know. Therefore, I tend to include the intersectionalities of my LGBTQIA, neurodivergent, and Latino experiences in my writing. I have written picture book manuscripts, essays, and a young adult novel. I’m writing a graphic novel, a short story for an anthology [fingers crossed], and an adult fiction novel. I guess I don’t have a favorite book genre or book length at this point.
AD: I love how versatile you are and not afraid to try new genres. Tackling a new genre isn’t easy and neither is breaking into the publishing industry! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere?
FE: My biggest challenge has been with marketing myself as an author. I have experience with marketing myself as a woodworker and artist. I learned a lot from self-publishing, and I’ve been studying how others launch their books. I was selected to be in the Poets & Writers publicity incubator, and I’m in two debut groups. So, I’ve learned a lot. I plan to share what I’ve picked up about marketing & publicity in blogs, webinars, and conferences. AD: Yes! Marketing can be so difficult. It sounds like you have the support of several kidlit groups, which is super helpful. I’ll definitely be checking out your marketing and publicity info once avilable. I’m always improving in that realm! Speaking of improving, as creators (and humans), we tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas for improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well. With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your journey? FE: I am most proud of how I structured and formatted Pedro & Daniel: I use first and third person narration, with several points of view; the writing includes prose, lyrical text, and various forms of poetry; there are four main story arcs. It’s unlike any other book I’ve read, and folks seem to love it.
Art from Federico’s debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon
AD: In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?
FE: I don’t [necessarily] do it on purpose, but I break all the rules of writing. It’s simply the way I write. I also think it’s silly to put rules on a creative process. Very little remains constant. Everything evolves. Think about how language and art have changed since humankind came into existence. I write what I need to write . . . what I want to read.
AD: What inspirational words! What else inspires your work?
FE: I’ve always had an active imagination, and a drive to create. Most of it stays in my head [my neurodivergence at work], until I take the time to create, in whatever medium is needed.
AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck?
FE: I always have multiple stories, illustrations, and projects going at the same time, usually on different computers and/or programs. I’ve got a wonderful workshop where I can create while other ideas percolate. It’s hard to describe how my mind is constantly ruminating multiple thoughts and projects at the same time.
Art from Federico’s debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon
AD: What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author?
FE: Critique partners are the most important tool authors and illustrators have for honing their work. They represent our ultimate clients: readers [or an agent or editor]. I’ve had some wonderful CPs.
AD: Yes!! CP’s are the best! What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?
FE:
Find your writing community; have honest, but kind critique partners; make time to create; avoid regrets.
AD: Honesty and kindness–love that! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
FE: Thanks so much for having me!
Pedro & Daniel Pre-order and other details at https://FJEbooks.com
I am mostly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FedericoErebia
Art from Federico’s debut novel, PEDRO & DANIEL, illustrated by Julie Kwon. Art © Julie Kwon Federico, thank you so much for joining us for this special Spotlight feature on Rising Stars in KidLit! Congrats again on PEDRO & DANIEL which is now available for preorder! Feel free to drop a comment below to support Federico and his work. Be sure to subscribe to the Rising Stars series so you don’t miss out on the next Rising Stars in Kidlit feature and follow along on Twitter at #RisingStarsinKidlit!
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK…
Pedro and Daniel are Mexican American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mother resents that Pedro is a spitting image of their darker-skinned father; that Daniel likes dolls; that neither boy plays sports. Both are gay and neurodivergent. They are alike, but they are dissimilar in their struggles, their dreams, their approach to life.
Pedro & Daniel is a deeply personal novel that spans from the boy’s childhood until they are young men. Together, they find joy and laughter as they endure abuses, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS pandemic, in a coming-of-age story unlike any other.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Follow Federico & Amanda on Twitter Retweet this post on Twitter w/a link to the blog feature Tag 3 friends in the comments on Twitter
THREE random winners will be selected to receive a signed copy of PEDRO & DANIEL! The deadline for this contest is Friday, May 26th at 9AM EST. The winners will be announced shortly after on Twitter. If you’d like to order your own copy of the book, check out the link below.
CLICK HERE TO PREORDER PEDRO & DANIEL
The post #RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Federico Erebia appeared first on Amanda Davis.
January 25, 2023
Multicultural Children's Book Day
Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day, and I'm celebrating by writing reviews for some amazing diverse chapter books. Before I dive into my reviews, here is a little bit more information about What Multicultural Children's Book Day is and how it came to be. Founded in 2021 by Valarie Budayr from Audrey Press Books and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, Multicultural Children's Book Day grew out of their own frustrations with the lack of diverse books for their own families. As a result, they decided to team up to create an event that would help raise awareness around children's books that celebrate diversity but also get these books into classrooms and libraries around the world. This event is now known as Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCBD) and is celebrated every year on the last Friday in January. Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCBD) is an online and offline celebration of thousands of supporters, educators, parents, caregivers, book reviewers, and quality authors and publishers who team up to spotlight diversity in children through YA literature. Over the course of its eight year run, the MCBD non-profit has donated over 8,000 books to kids and the initiative has expanded offline to classrooms programs, celebrations and global connections.
I'm excited to participate this year by reviewing THE ABC's OF RACING: MY FIRST GUIDE TO FORMULA 1 RACING, written by Andy Amendola, illustrated by Wei Ren and DAZZLING TRAVIS, written by Hannah Carmona Dias, illustrated by Brenda Figueroa, published by Cardinal Rule Press. BIG Thanks to Andy and Cardinal Rule press for gifting me the two books in celebration of MCBD!
The ABC’s of Racing is a fresh spin on an alphabet book. As someone who is no expert in F1 racing, Amendola’s text breaks down the basics of Formula 1 racing in a way that is easy to understand and digest while Ren’s illustrations capture the vibrancy and excitement of the sport through bold graphic style illustrations and bright/vibrant imagery. The story features diverse characters, bits of Spanish, and a range of different elements of the sport. The story is both fun and informative. A fun fact I learned was that the Grand Prix always falls on a Sunday. I can’t wait for the next book in the Red Racer series to learn more! 
Dazzling Travis is a delightful read about loving who you are and offers ways for children to cope and react when getting picked on by peers. Carmona Dias's relatable, rhyming text makes the topic easily digestible and accessible to children while Figueroa’s expressive illustrations bring to life the emotions of the text. I enjoyed and appreciated the discussion questions at the beginning the text, and back matter highlighting others who felt different yet went on to shine, including the authors own inspiration for the story who was a former theater student of hers. The story makes for a great resource both at home and in the classroom.Thanks again to the authors and publisher for gifting me these wonderful books to review and helping me diversify my own bookshelf. Thank you to all the organizers involved in Multicultural Children's Book Day for helping us raise awareness around the importance of diverse books in our homes and schools and helping to get these wonderful books into the hands of children around the world. Cheers!
For more MCBD fun, follow along on social media at #ReadYourWorld!!
BONUS! Check out this MCBD Diversity Book List & Activities for Teachers and Parents!
Photo Credit © Angela Wood Photography Hi! I'm Amanda!Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her family and her rescue pup, Cora.
Amanda is represented by Jennifer Unter of The Unter Agency.
Amanda's newest release, MOONLIGHT MEMORIES, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, (WorthyKids, 6/13/2023) is now available for preorder!
CLICK HERE TO PREORDER MOONLIGHT MEMORIES
Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and I’m celebrating by writing reviews for some amazing diverse chapter books. Before I dive into my reviews, here is a little bit more information about What Multicultural Children’s Book Day is and how it came to be.
Founded in 2021 by Valarie Budayr from Audrey Press Books and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, Multicultural Children’s Book Day grew out of their own frustrations with the lack of diverse books for their own families. As a result, they decided to team up to create an event that would help raise awareness around children’s books that celebrate diversity but also get these books into classrooms and libraries around the world. This event is now known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) and is celebrated every year on the last Friday in January. Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) is an online and offline celebration of thousands of supporters, educators, parents, caregivers, book reviewers, and quality authors and publishers who team up to spotlight diversity in children through YA literature. Over the course of its eight year run, the MCBD non-profit has donated over 8,000 books to kids and the initiative has expanded offline to classrooms programs, celebrations and global connections.
I’m excited to participate this year by reviewing THE ABC’s OF RACING: MY FIRST GUIDE TO FORMULA 1 RACING, written by Andy Amendola, illustrated by Wei Ren and DAZZLING TRAVIS, written by Hannah Carmona Dias, illustrated by Brenda Figueroa, published by Cardinal Rule Press. BIG Thanks to Andy and Cardinal Rule press for gifting me the two books in celebration of MCBD!
Dazzling Travis is a delightful read about loving who you are and offers ways for children to cope and react when getting picked on by peers. Carmona Dias’s relatable, rhyming text makes the topic easily digestible and accessible to children while Figueroa’s expressive illustrations bring to life the emotions of the text. I enjoyed and appreciated the discussion questions at the beginning the text, and back matter highlighting others who felt different yet went on to shine, including the authors own inspiration for the story who was a former theater student of hers. The story makes for a great resource both at home and in the classroom.
Thanks again to the authors and publisher for gifting me these wonderful books to review and helping me diversify my own bookshelf. Thank you to all the organizers involved in Multicultural Children’s Book Day for helping us raise awareness around the importance of diverse books in our homes and schools and helping to get these wonderful books into the hands of children around the world. Cheers!
For more MCBD fun, follow along on social media at #ReadYourWorld!!
BONUS! Check out this MCBD Diversity Book List & Activities for Teachers and Parents!
The post Multicultural Children’s Book Day appeared first on Amanda Davis.
January 22, 2023
#RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Maria Wen Adcock
Author Maria Wen Adcock!
Photo Credit © Maria Wen Adcock
Maria Wen Adcock is the author of It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George [January 2023] published by Clarion Books/Harper Collins. Maria is a first-generation Chinese-American writer and founder of the award-winning multicultural parenting blog www.BiculturalMama.com. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Bloomberg News, Newsday, and Huffington Post. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and co-host of the annual publishing event Multicultural Children’s Book Day. She resides on Long Island with her husband and two children. Welcome, Maria and congrats on your new release, IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! It’s a hit in our house. I’m thrilled to have you here to celebrate Chinese New Year and chat about your publication journey! Thank you so much, for your generous giveaway, too! Make sure to enter for your chance to win a signed copy of IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! Details on how to enter at the bottom of the interview.
Maria’s debut picture book, IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR CURIOUS GEORGE, illustrated by Rea Zhai, is out now with Clarion Books.
AD: Let’s start with a speed round…
AD: Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs?
MWA: Hi! I’m Maria Wen Adcock, and my debut book, “It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George” just came out on January 3, 2023. I’ve known since I was a kid that I wanted to write a book. I just didn’t know how to make that happen. Along the way, I tried to stay close to publishing by working on the business side in marketing for Time Inc. magazines. I worked on titles such as Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, Real Simple, Southern Living, and a bunch more. But I always longed to work on the Edit side.
After my first daughter was born in 2009, I bowed out of the corporate world to raise her and started freelance writing from home. Given I had no professional writing experience, my first assignments were either done for free or for pitiful pay. During this time, I recalled my childhood dream to write a book. As such, I started writing picture book manuscripts and also launched a blog, BiculturalMama.com, in 2011.
I originally launched the blog to have a platform for my future books. I just didn’t know it was going to take 12 years! So my blog became a parenting blog with a focus on Asian American culture. It has since evolved to focus on multicultural children’s books and is now my author site as well.
During this time, I queried agents and editors to pitch my manuscripts but to no avail. So I started attending writer workshops and conferences to really learn the craft of children’s book writing, and from there my manuscripts improved.
In May 2020, a literary agent noticed my book pitch at a Twitter book pitching event. She asked to see my other manuscripts and then we spoke on the phone to see if we were a good fit. That is how I acquired my fabulous agent, Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency!
Having an agent opened doors to access to the larger publishers who typically will not consider a manuscript unless the author has representation. My agent played a pivotal part regarding my opportunity to write It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George.
Maria with her new book, IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! Photo Credit © Maria Wen Adcock
Yes! AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing? Favorite genres you like to write in?
MWA : I focus on multicultural stories, specifically on Chinese American culture. It is what I know well and is important to me. I’m currently focused on writing picture books.
AD
: Breaking into the publishing industry is not easy! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere?
MWA : One of the biggest challenges is keeping the faith over the years through many rejections from queries I’ve sent out. Along the way, I birthed two children, and these life events made it even more challenging to find time to focus on my writing. But I’ve always known I wanted to have my stories published, so this kept me going.
AD: Yes! I think all creators can relate to the grit it takes to keep going in this tough industry. As creators (and humans), we also tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas for improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well. With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your writing journey?
MWA : My biggest accomplishments have been acquiring a literary agent and publishing a book. It has been such a long journey to get to this point. It’s a dream come true!
AD: Yay, congrats on both of those big accomplishments. An inspiration and reminder that if we don’t give up, success awaits! In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?
MWA
: I believe my strength is adding authenticity through my life experiences into my stories. This makes it unique to me.
Maria’s Book Launch Event-Book Signing Photo Credit © Stephanie Goutevenier
AD: What inspires your work as a whole and what inspired It’s Chinese New Year Curious George?
MWA: As a whole, I’m inspired to write books that spread awareness of the wonderfully diverse world we live in. Although many cultures have different traditions, the values of each often overlap. It’s important for me to show this through my stories.
I had the opportunity through my agent to write It’s Chinese New Year Curious George which is part of a broader series of Curious George tabbed board books that include many holidays. The publisher wanted to expand to include Chinese New Year and was looking for an author who had the background to authentically write about the holiday. I submitted samples of what I would write, and the publisher loved it! I was hired to write the book.
While outlining the book, I delved into my childhood experience growing up in a Chinese American household. There are many traditions, and I packed as many as I could into the space of the book. I feel this is the type of book I wish I had when I was a kid…especially because I loved Curious George!
AD: You did a wonderful job of incorporating facts with fun into the story to keep readers engaged as they learn about the holiday and culture. I learned so much about the many traditions and symbolism pertaining to Chinese New Year and the tabbed format wove each element together beautifully.
Now that we know a bit more about the story and how it came to be, can you tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck? What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author?
MWA: When I have an idea for a story that keeps popping up in my mind, then I know I need to write it down. I’ll write the idea in a notebook or on my computer. If I’m feeling stuck about story ideas, I’ll think about what things in my childhood or my heritage moved me emotionally – positive and negative. There’s usually a kernel of an idea somewhere in there.
Joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) made a huge difference in the development of my writing. I learned it’s not enough to just write a story. You also need to know the structure of writing books and what editors are looking for in terms of a story arc, word count, etc. Attending SCBWI workshops and conferences helped me to grow so much as a writer.
AD: Yes! I considered myself a writer for a very long time but learning the craft of writing for children was a whole new area for me. It definitely took a lot of practice and studying!
A recent school visit with K-1 students. Photo Credit © Brian Stellato
AD: What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?
Join a critique group. This was one of the best things I’ve done. Often we’re too close to our manuscripts to see inconsistencies, wordiness, logic errors, etc. But I can absolutely say that being part of a writing critique group has improved my manuscripts. I actually now oversee one of the critique groups for SCBWI Long Island which is my local regional chapter.
AD: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
Website & Social Media Handles
Website: https://www.BiculturalMama.com
Facebook Maria Wen Adcock Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/mariawenadcockauthor
Instagram: @BiculturalMama or https://www.instagram.com/biculturalmama
Twitter: @BiculturalMama or https://twitter.com/biculturalmama
Pinterest: @BiculturalMama or https://www.pinterest.com/biculturalmama
Everyone’s favorite curious little monkey celebrates Chinese New Year with his friend Mei in this playful rhyming tabbed board book. Curious George joins his friend Mei and her family as they prepare for and celebrate Chinese New Year! From cleaning house and finding red clothes to wear, to hanging decorations and enjoying a family feast, to fireworks and a dragon dance, George and readers will enjoy learning about many Chinese New Year traditions. With a rhyming text, colorful illustrations, and sturdy tabbed pages for the littlest hands, this playful board book makes a great read for all fans of Curious George—those who celebrate Chinese New Year, and those who are learning about it for the first time!
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Follow Maria & Amanda on Twitter Retweet this post on Twitter Tag 3 friends in the comments on Twitter
A random winner will be selected to receive a signed copy of IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! The deadline for this contest is Monday, January 30th at 9AM EST. The winner will be announced shortly after on Twitter. And if you’d like to order your own copy of the book, check out the link below.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE
The post #RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Maria Wen Adcock appeared first on Amanda Davis.
January 21, 2023
#RisingStarsinKidLit Spotlight Series: Maria Wen Adcock
Rising Stars in KidLit began as a way to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world. These interviews cast a light on the wonderful work of pre-published or pre-agented authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars! Today we’re hosting a special Spotlight series with author, Maria Wen Adcock so we can learn all about her path to publication! Maria has also offered to giveaway a signed copy of IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE to one lucky winner! Make sure to read all the way to the end of the interview for details on how to enter the giveaway. Thanks, Maria! Meet Rising Star
Author Maria Wen Adcock!
Photo Credit © Maria Wen Adcock Maria Wen Adcock is the author of It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George [January 2023] published by Clarion Books/Harper Collins. Maria is a first-generation Chinese-American writer and founder of the award-winning multicultural parenting blog www.BiculturalMama.com. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Bloomberg News, Newsday, and Huffington Post. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and co-host of the annual publishing event Multicultural Children’s Book Day. She resides on Long Island with her husband and two children. Welcome, Maria and congrats on your new release, IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! It's a hit in our house. I'm thrilled to have you here to celebrate Chinese New Year and chat about your publication journey! Thank you so much, for your generous giveaway, too! Make sure to enter for your chance to win a signed copy of IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! Details on how to enter at the bottom of the interview. 
Maria's debut picture book, IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR CURIOUS GEORGE, illustrated by Rea Zhai, is out now with Clarion Books. AD: Let’s start with a speed round…Top three favorite children’s book authors? Grace Lin, Judy Blume, H.A. Rey
Coffee, tea (or neither)? Both!
Where is your safe place? My home.
Dogs, cats, (or neither)? Cats - I have a tuxedo cat!
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl - but I know I should go to bed earlier!
Three words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world…Perseverance, faith, tenacity.
AD: Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs?
MWA: Hi! I’m Maria Wen Adcock, and my debut book, “It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George” just came out on January 3, 2023. I’ve known since I was a kid that I wanted to write a book. I just didn’t know how to make that happen. Along the way, I tried to stay close to publishing by working on the business side in marketing for Time Inc. magazines. I worked on titles such as Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, Real Simple, Southern Living, and a bunch more. But I always longed to work on the Edit side.
After my first daughter was born in 2009, I bowed out of the corporate world to raise her and started freelance writing from home. Given I had no professional writing experience, my first assignments were either done for free or for pitiful pay. During this time, I recalled my childhood dream to write a book. As such, I started writing picture book manuscripts and also launched a blog, BiculturalMama.com, in 2011.
I originally launched the blog to have a platform for my future books. I just didn’t know it was going to take 12 years! So my blog became a parenting blog with a focus on Asian American culture. It has since evolved to focus on multicultural children’s books and is now my author site as well.
During this time, I queried agents and editors to pitch my manuscripts but to no avail. So I started attending writer workshops and conferences to really learn the craft of children’s book writing, and from there my manuscripts improved.
In May 2020, a literary agent noticed my book pitch at a Twitter book pitching event. She asked to see my other manuscripts and then we spoke on the phone to see if we were a good fit. That is how I acquired my fabulous agent, Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency!
Having an agent opened doors to access to the larger publishers who typically will not consider a manuscript unless the author has representation. My agent played a pivotal part regarding my opportunity to write It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George.
Maria with her new book, IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! Photo Credit © Maria Wen Adcock Yes! AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing? Favorite genres you like to write in?MWA: I focus on multicultural stories, specifically on Chinese American culture. It is what I know well and is important to me. I’m currently focused on writing picture books.
AD: Breaking into the publishing industry is not easy! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere?
MWA: One of the biggest challenges is keeping the faith over the years through many rejections from queries I’ve sent out. Along the way, I birthed two children, and these life events made it even more challenging to find time to focus on my writing. But I’ve always known I wanted to have my stories published, so this kept me going.
AD: Yes! I think all creators can relate to the grit it takes to keep going in this tough industry. As creators (and humans), we also tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas for improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well. With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your writing journey?
MWA: My biggest accomplishments have been acquiring a literary agent and publishing a book. It has been such a long journey to get to this point. It’s a dream come true!
AD: Yay, congrats on both of those big accomplishments. An inspiration and reminder that if we don't give up, success awaits! In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?
MWA: I believe my strength is adding authenticity through my life experiences into my stories. This makes it unique to me.
Maria's Book Launch Event-Book Signing Photo Credit © Stephanie Goutevenier AD: What inspires your work as a whole and what inspired It’s Chinese New Year Curious George?MWA: As a whole, I’m inspired to write books that spread awareness of the wonderfully diverse world we live in. Although many cultures have different traditions, the values of each often overlap. It’s important for me to show this through my stories.
I had the opportunity through my agent to write It’s Chinese New Year Curious George which is part of a broader series of Curious George tabbed board books that include many holidays. The publisher wanted to expand to include Chinese New Year and was looking for an author who had the background to authentically write about the holiday. I submitted samples of what I would write, and the publisher loved it! I was hired to write the book.
While outlining the book, I delved into my childhood experience growing up in a Chinese American household. There are many traditions, and I packed as many as I could into the space of the book. I feel this is the type of book I wish I had when I was a kid…especially because I loved Curious George!
AD: You did a wonderful job of incorporating facts with fun into the story to keep readers engaged as they learn about the holiday and culture. I learned so much about the many traditions and symbolism pertaining to Chinese New Year and the tabbed format wove each element together beautifully.
Now that we know a bit more about the story and how it came to be, can you tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck? What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author?
MWA: When I have an idea for a story that keeps popping up in my mind, then I know I need to write it down. I’ll write the idea in a notebook or on my computer. If I’m feeling stuck about story ideas, I’ll think about what things in my childhood or my heritage moved me emotionally - positive and negative. There’s usually a kernel of an idea somewhere in there.
Joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) made a huge difference in the development of my writing. I learned it’s not enough to just write a story. You also need to know the structure of writing books and what editors are looking for in terms of a story arc, word count, etc. Attending SCBWI workshops and conferences helped me to grow so much as a writer.
AD: Yes! I considered myself a writer for a very long time but learning the craft of writing for children was a whole new area for me. It definitely took a lot of practice and studying!
A recent school visit with K-1 students. Photo Credit © Brian Stellato AD: What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?Join a critique group. This was one of the best things I’ve done. Often we’re too close to our manuscripts to see inconsistencies, wordiness, logic errors, etc. But I can absolutely say that being part of a writing critique group has improved my manuscripts. I actually now oversee one of the critique groups for SCBWI Long Island which is my local regional chapter.
AD: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
Website & Social Media Handles
Website: https://www.BiculturalMama.com
Facebook Maria Wen Adcock Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/mariawenadcockauthor
Instagram: @BiculturalMama or https://www.instagram.com/biculturalmama
Twitter: @BiculturalMama or https://twitter.com/biculturalmama
Pinterest: @BiculturalMama or https://www.pinterest.com/biculturalmama Maria, thank you so much for joining us for this special Spotlight feature on Rising Stars in KidLit! Congrats again on IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE which is now available for order where books are sold! Feel free to drop a comment below to support Maria and her work. Be sure to subscribe to the Rising Stars series so you don't miss out on the next Rising Stars in Kidlit feature and follow along on Twitter at #RisingStarsinKidlit!
Win a signed copy of IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE!! 
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK...Everyone’s favorite curious little monkey celebrates Chinese New Year with his friend Mei in this playful rhyming tabbed board book. Curious George joins his friend Mei and her family as they prepare for and celebrate Chinese New Year! From cleaning house and finding red clothes to wear, to hanging decorations and enjoying a family feast, to fireworks and a dragon dance, George and readers will enjoy learning about many Chinese New Year traditions. With a rhyming text, colorful illustrations, and sturdy tabbed pages for the littlest hands, this playful board book makes a great read for all fans of Curious George—those who celebrate Chinese New Year, and those who are learning about it for the first time! AndTO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
✅ Follow Maria & Amanda on Twitter
✅ Retweet this post on Twitter
✅ Tag 3 friends in the comments on Twitter
A random winner will be selected to receive a signed copy of IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE! The deadline for this contest is Monday, January 30th at 9AM EST. The winner will be announced shortly after on Twitter. And if you'd like to order your own copy of the book, check out the link below. CLICK HERE TO ORDER IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE
Photo Credit © Angela Wood Photography Hi! I'm Amanda!Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her family and her rescue pup, Cora.
Amanda is represented by Jennifer Unter of The Unter Agency.
Amanda's newest release, MOONLIGHT MEMORIES, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, (WorthyKids, 6/13/2023) is now available for preorder!
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