It's Pre-Order Reward Time!

Free swag, raffle, and a giveaway.

It’s getting real! My early reader chapter book, One Mad Cat and the Missing Book, releases in less than two months and it’s time to lock in those pre-order rewards.

Provide your pre-order receipt from the bookstore of your choice and I’ll send you a special swag package AND you’ll be entered to win a grand prize:

Summer Reads Video

I recently had the honor of talking about One Mad Cat and the Missing Book for the Brodart “Tell Me More” Summer Reads program, in a free webinar for librarians. You can watch the full presentation here, including book talks from Christy Mihaly (America’s Founding Myths...And What REALLY Happened!), Maria Oka (Wish on a Willow), Lauren Tarshis (I Survived the Night of the Lions, 2025), and Liz Brizzi (Milo and Twig).

The Reviews Are Coming In!

Two trade reviews are in for One Mad Cat and the Missing Book—and they’re wonderful! Here’s one of my favorite quotes from the Kirkus review:

“A simple story line, dry humor, and an enjoyably cranky feline protagonist combine for a satisfying whodunit.” -Kirkus Reviews

Read the full Kirkus review here.
Read the full SLJ review here.

This is the first book in the series and Book Two is well underway, so get ready for more from this cute, grumpy, mystery-solving cat.

Another JLG Gold Standard Selection

After hearing that One Mad Cat and the Missing Book would be my first title to become a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, I’ve received word that my upcoming picture book, Lots and Lots of Ocelots, has ALSO been selected! (To learn more about what it means to be a JLG Gold Standard Selection, I wrote a post about it on Kidlit Survival Guide.) Stay tuned for more on this skip counting and animal fact book, illustrated by Angel Chang and coming this August with Workman Kids. Available for pre-order now.

Kidlit Survival Guide

In case you missed it, a few of our recent posts:

Ways to Kick Yourself into Writing Gear
A Good Literary Citizen
Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights)—What’s the Deal?
When All the News is Bad

Life and Other Stuff

I had a lovely time at KinderBooks on Independent Bookstore Day, where I read from Ava Lin, Super-Duper Happy and did some drawing demos. It was so lovely to connect with a new-to-me bookstore and to meet local readers and creators.

I also did some school visits, made terrariums with my kids, celebrated my birthday with local kidlit friends (Kirsten Pendreigh, Stephanie Sy, and Helena Juhasz), and got new headshots (thanks to @simayatography).

And… I have secret book news! Ahhh! Stay tuned for when I can share details publicly.

Giveaway

I loved doing the indie bookstore giveaway last month, so I’m going to do it again. Pick any one of my books and I’ll order it from your local indie for you to pick up in store. I’ll include One Mad Cat and the Missing Book and Lots and Lots of Ocelots on pre-order as options. Like and comment for a chance to win! (Open to U.S. and Canada.)