Jean Reidy's Blog

Dear Readers,

Hooray! A new book is coming. And it’s for every Bun who loves a kid. And for every kid who loves a Bun … and a Digger! Thank you, thank you, editor Caroline Abbey, Random House Children’s Books, Erin Murphy, and illustrator, Andrea Armstrong. I couldn’t be more thrilled about this one. And I can’t wait for Bun and Digger to cuddle and crash their way into the hearts of young readers everywhere.

Happy Reading!

Jean

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Dear Friends, I’m absolutely thrilled to introduce you to my latest picture book! Bob was the biggest, strongest,
and smartest bear in the whole wide world.
Everyone knew it.
Everyone knew it because
Bob told them over and over and over again. BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST (illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson) is an endearing, funny story about talking, listening, and the joy of learning to be a good friend!

And the reviews are in!

“Delightfully funny!”    

Booklist STARRED Review

“Beautiful!”   

School Library Journal

“Jaunty, vibrant!”   

Kirkus

“Emotionally generous!”   

Publishers Weekly

Now here’s everything else you need to know!BUYING THE BOOK AND AUTOGRAPHED BOOKPLATESBOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST is available from your favorite bookseller (Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon) or you can request it at your library.

Would you like an autographed bookplate for your copy? Request it here!

A VERY SPECIAL STORYTIME AT THE BOOK STALLBring your youngest readers and listeners, and join illustrator Amy Jindra Hodgson and me for a very special storytime at  The Book Stall  (811 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois, 60093) on March 14th at 10:30 A.M. We’ll have reading, games, crafts, autographs, and an art demonstration. The event is free and open to the public.

Reservations are not required.

TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS AND PARENTS Check out my  FREE Classroom Companion and Storytime Guide   (linked to learning standards) for BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST. It’s full of activities, games, crafts, puzzles, and even a reader’s theater script that make reading and learning with the book extra fun.

For other FREE resources and information about booking school visits, please visit the Schools and Libraries page of my website.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORDIf you’re excited about BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST, here are 4 ways to help spread the word:Buy the book for yourself or as a gift. Links are above.Request the book through your local library system.Share information about the book with others who might be interested: teachers, parents, grandparents, librarians, local booksellers, etc.If you enjoyed the book, post reviews on online retail sites, Goodreads, and social media. Reviews can be short and sweet; just a sentence or two is great! Or drop me a note. I’d love to hear from you.With excitement and gratitude,

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What an extra-happy way to start the new year! BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST received a big, beautiful Booklist STARRED review. I couldn’t be more excited. Here’s what they had to say!

“Bob the bear is the biggest, strongest, and smartest—according to himself. He never misses a
moment to sing his own praises when he comes across other animals in the forest. When Bill, an
affable badger, moves in, instead of talking about himself, he asks questions of others. Bill’s
genuine interest in getting to know his new neighbors leads him to make many friends, while
Bob’s bragging ways only isolate the ursine egotist. As Bob watches Bill engage in
conversations, always driven by earnest curiosity, it leads Bob to ask Bill a question of his own.
When that question leads Bill to ask Bob about himself, he shows Bob the magic of thinking of
others. As Bob begins to ask questions of Bill, and later the other animals, he becomes less
boastful and more likable and considerate. This delightfully funny picture book gently shows
young readers that getting to know others rather than showing off is the way to make friends.
The animals are whimsically portrayed in a variety of colors and clothing. The story is told
through a main text as well as speech bubbles that show the characters interacting with one
another. Reidy’s latest picture-book offering will leave readers, like Bob, feeling the biggest,
strongest, and smartest when it comes to friendship.” — Ashley Leffel

BOB will be coming to bookstores and libraries in February (from Penguin/Rocky Pond Books, Amy Jindra Hodgson and me!). But you can give the book an extra boost (and I’d be SO grateful!) by preordering it now. 

Find out more at https://jeanreidy.com/…/bob-is-the-biggest-strongest…/

Happy Reading!Jean

 

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School Library Journal calls BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST “A beautiful book about true friendship.”

See the full review right here. But here’s a little more to whet your appetite. “With its punchy illustrations and clever callouts to show inner thoughts and conversations, this book puts forth the notion that respect isn’t given to the loudest or the braggart. Instead, it’s earned through conversation, through respecting differences, and through listening to others. It’s a worthy SEL lesson, as well as one that’s funny via exaggeration and commentary.”

I’m completely humbled by this early Christmas gift. School librarians and teachers are masterful guides when it comes to kids and books. And they have my overwhelming respect. Simply said, they REALLY know their stuff. I couldn’t be more grateful!

BOB will be coming to bookstores and libraries in February (from Penguin/Rocky Pond Books, Amy Jindra Hodgson and me!). But you can give the book an extra boost (and I’d be SO grateful!) by preordering it now. 

Find out more at https://jeanreidy.com/…/bob-is-the-biggest-strongest…/

Happy Reading!Jean

The post A Stunning School Library Journal Review of BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST! appeared first on Jean Reidy, Children's Author.

Hooray for more happy news!

Publishers Weekly calls BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST “emotionally generous.” Don’t you just love that? And they absolutely nail it when they say, “The story’s tidily phrased moral (‘Friends get to know friends’) lands on a truth: genuine curiosity builds connection far more powerfully than self-promotion ever could.”

BOB will be coming to bookstores and libraries in February (from Penguin/Rocky Pond Books, Amy Jindra Hodgson and me!). But you can give the book an extra boost (and I’d be SO grateful!) by preordering it now. Find out more at https://jeanreidy.com/…/bob-is-the-biggest-strongest…/

 

Happy Reading!Jean

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Look what arrived last weekend! My very first author’s copy for BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST. And you know what else arrived? The very first review. It’s always a wee bit nerve-wracking waiting for book reviews to roll in. But when the first one does, and it’s from Kirkus Reviews, and it’s terrific, I not only breathe a little easier … but I walk around all day with a silly smile on my face. Kirkus calls BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST “jaunty” and “vibrant,” and they adore Amy Jindra Hodgson‘s art. (I do too, by the way!) But here is one of my favorite reviewer lines: “Modeling the key to making friends, this gentle tale wields its messaging with a whisper rather than a thump.” Bob will be coming to bookstores and libraries in February from Penguin/Rocky Pond Books, Amy, and me! I can’t wait.

To find out more about BOB or to preorder a copy, check out the book page right here!

Happy Reading!

Jean

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Are you looking for fresh reads for your back-to-school bookshelf? Try this trio! This series empowers kids to dream big and be the authors of their own life stories, while growing their social and emotional relationships too. Yes, there’s a lot packed into these sweet, little reads. And check out the FREE curriculum and activity guides for all three. These and more can be found at https://jeanreidy.com/.

Happy Reading!

Jean

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It’s that back-to-school time of year! And new beginnings take courage. If you have a favorite young reader, teacher or librarian in your life who’s heading back to school, this brave little tortoise, TRUMAN, might be the perfect companion!

You can find out more about TRUMAN, purchase your copy or browse the Free TRUMAN Storytime and Curriculum Guide right here: https://jeanreidy.com/books/truman/Happy Reading!Jean

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Friends, while it’s still 9 months away from hitting bookstore and library shelves, I couldn’t wait to share with you Amy Jindra Hodgson’s adorable cover for our book BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST. It’s about a braggy bear who, with a little less talking and a lot more listening, discovers how it feels when friends get to know friends. Look for Bob coming from Rocky Pond/Penguin in February 2026! YIPPEE!

You can find out more about BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST or preorder your copy right here.

Happy Reading!

Jean

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Let the Graduation Season  Begin!

It’s that graduation time of year! And for all your graduates, young and old, I have the perfect gifts. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? and A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO can be found wherever books are sold. (Or simply click on the book covers to see online purchase options.)

Parents and teachers, check out my FREE Graduation Event Kit for fun home or school celebrations: https://jeanreidy.com/…/upl…/2021/04/WWJDBK-Grad-Kit.pdf.

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

xo

Jean

(To find out more about WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? or A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO, or to purchase a copy, click on their covers to be taken to their book pages.)

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