Announcing a New Book Deal!

At the risk of sounding a bit like Bob, I’m so excited to start off a brand new year with a brand new book deal. And I’m thrilled to be bringing this braggy but loveable bear to life along with awesome editor Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) and super-talented – and oh-so-fun! – illustrator Amy Jindra. Many thanks to my beloved agent and friend, Erin Murphy, and everyone on team Bob … making his appearance for young readers and listeners in the fall of 2025!

 

A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO selected for Illinois Reads!

Friends, I‘m beyond excited that A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO (from Joey Chou, HarperKids Books and me!) has been selected for Illinois Reads 2024, and I’m thrilled that this sweet book will be in the hands of Illinois’ youngest readers and listeners at the beginning of their reading journeys. Thank you, Illinois Reading Council. I’m incredibly honored.📚❤️

Below are the Illinois Reads events at which I’ll be appearing! To learn more about the book or to order your copy, see the book page here on my website. 

With gratitude,

Jean

 

Saturday, February 3, 2024

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, the Illinois Reading Council will host the Illinois Reads Book Festival from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Westmont High School, 909 Oakwood Drive, Westmont, Illinois. More information will be available soon at Illinois Reads Book Festival webpage.

Friday, March 15, 2024

On Friday, March 15, 2024, educators can register to attend the Illinois Reads Authors Luncheon at the 2024 IRC Conference. Participants will get to have lunch with an Illinois Reads Author and receive a FREE Illinois Reads book (choices will be on a first-come, first-served basis). Following lunch, participants will spend the next hour moving from table to table, meeting other authors, and discussing their books. After the luncheon, there will also be an additional autograph session with the authors from 2:15 to 3:15 pm in the BOS Center Exhibit Hall. Register at the IRC Conference Website.

August 9-18, 2024

The Illinois Reading Council is excited to share that the Illinois Secretary of State and Honorary Illinois Reads Chair, Alexi Giannoulias, has asked ILLINOIS READS to join him in his tent at the 2024 Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois. When visiting the fair, look for the tent in the Children’s Area. There will be story times, meet and greets with authors, photo opportunities, FREE AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS, and much more. More information and a detailed schedule will be available by end of July!

TRAD – TRUMAN Read Aloud Day Coming 9/20!

Teachers and Librarians –

I’m celebrating the start of a new school year on September 20th with TRAD – TRUMAN Read Aloud Day. Sign up for a free 15-minute virtual visit during which I’ll read this heartwarming, back-to-school story (which the NYT calls “An enchanting tale of bravery, heroism and undying devotion.”) followed by a Q&A. I can’t wait!

Here’s a link with all the details – https://tinyurl.com/3aya8z5x

To find out more about TRUMAN or to purchase your copy, please see his book page on my website.

With excitement and gratitude,

Jean

A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO … and other news!

Dear Friends,

I find it hard to believe that a year has already passed since I moved to Chicago. I’m loving life in the Windy City and planning to stay a while. I’m also finding that new sights, new sounds and new people all lead to new thoughts. Chicago is a great place to keep my creativity fully charged. So with that said …

I’m thrilled to introduce you to my latest picture book!

Your whole world is waiting.
Just step through the door.
There’s much to discover.
There’s more to explore.


A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO
 
celebrates the joy of sharing the world with others and all the wonderful things that can happen when you are part of something bigger. 

“This heartwarming and whimsical picture book celebrates the potential found in every child to step into their lives with joy, curiosity, and the untethered ability to make the world a better place.”

School Library Journal  STARRED review

 

 

 

This is the third book in the WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? series, which was named one of the TODAY Show’s best gifts for babies!

BUYING THE BOOK AND AUTOGRAPHED BOOKPLATES

You can purchase your copy of A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO  from your favorite bookseller (IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon) or request it at your library. Would you like an autographed bookplate to go with it? Request it here!

 

STORYTIME AT THE BOOK STALL

Bring your youngest readers and listeners and join me at The Book Stall (811 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois 60093) on June 24th at 10:30 A.M. where I’ll be reading this latest book followed by songs, crafts, autographs and fun. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

 

TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS & PARENTS

Check out my FREE Downloadable Curriculum/Storytime Guide (linked to learning standards) available on my book pages for this and all of my books. For other FREE resources and
information about booking school visits, check out the 
Schools and Libraries page of my website.

 

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

If you’re excited about A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO or any of my books, 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. Often you can do this electronically.

· Share information about the book with others who might be interested: teachers, parents, grandparents, educators, 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!

IN OTHER NEWS!

SYLVIE is a sight to be seen!

Friends, illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins and I are absolutely thrilled that our sweet and surreptitious SYLVIE is a finalist for the 2023 Colorado Book Award, the winner of the Children’s Book Council’s Favorites Award for 2023, is a nominee for the 2024 Grand Canyon Reader Award and one of
the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books of 2022.
She’s in hiding no more!

A GRAND DAY is reviewed in the New York Times!

What a wonderful Sunday surprise! A GRAND DAY was in The New York Times!!! And the review calls it “a rollicking celebration of familial love, in all its intergenerational, interracial and differently-abled forms.” I’m so grateful for illustrator extraordinaire, Samantha Cotterill (Friends, her art will make you want to jump right into the pages!), agent Erin Murphy, editors Sylvie Frank & Paula Wiseman and the entire dream team at SimonKIDS. Wahoo! https://www.nytimes.com/…/sabine-timm-jamie-michalak…

PUP 681 Is a “One Book” Read!

PUP 681 is making waves. The Miller Creek School District, in the California Bay Area, chose PUP 681: A SEA OTTER RESCUE STORY as their “One Book” Read selection for TK through second grade.  The “One Book” celebration concluded with a virtual visit during which I got to meet with hundreds of young readers who also happened to be enthusiastic otter experts.

TRUMAN Wins March Madness!

I couldn’t be more thrilled that TRUMAN is still winning the hearts of young readers everywhere. First graders in Marblehead, Massachusetts created a sixteen-book bracket for their “March Reading Madness.” And TRUMAN won the whole tournament. Now he’s just waiting for his invitation to the White House. 🙂

In-Person School Visits Are Back!

I’ve really missed visiting schools over these past two years. And while I loved our virtual visits, connecting in person with bright, shining young readers is
truly something special. I’d love to visit your school. Let’s get a date on the calendar. See my Schools and Libraries
page
 for more information.

My Family is Growing!

In 2022 we welcomed grandchild #5 to the Reidy family and in November 2023, we’ll be welcoming #6. My family is growing and so is my heart. In addition to love, laughter and lots of fun, my grandkids keep me well-supplied with endless inspiration … as well as a loyal reader base. All the more reason to keep writing picture books!

Well, that wraps it up, for now, friends. Yes, it’s been a big year. And
I’ve loved having you all as a part of it. Peace, love and happy
reading!

With excitement and gratitude,

Jean

 

A School Library Journal Starred Review for A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO!

With the excitement of an upcoming book release, also comes a bit of worry … about reviews, that is.

A good review is like a “Phew!”

A great review is like a “Well, what do you know?”

And, let me tell you, a starred review is full-blown, heart-in-your-throat gratitude and elation.

Thank you School Library Journal for this glowing, starred review of A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO! I couldn’t be more excited and more grateful to illustrator Joey Chou, agent Erin Murphy and the entire amazing team at HarperCollins.

Here it is:

“Imagine the beauty and wonder that could be found in a book written by the world’s children. In this story, readers are introduced to a wide range of young people, all coming together with the collective intent of creating a shared narrative. Readers are presented with myriad possibilities for action in the hypothetical story described within the pages of this book, including swimming with salmon and spelunking in an unexplored cave. But no matter what the children decide to experience, their shared love crosses any barriers that might exist. This enables the children to create not only a beautiful story for themselves, but one for the world, as well. This heartwarming and whimsical picture book celebrates the potential found in every child to step into their lives with joy, curiosity, and the untethered ability to make the world a better place. Told in short, rhyming couplets, the narrative is easily accessible to very young readers, and it is designed to be voiced aloud thanks to its singsong rhythm and balanced meter. Digitally rendered illustrations depict a variety of children in enchanting scenes, using bright, vibrant colors to attract the attention of young children in particular. ­Together, the narrative and ­images ­complement one ­another, and they succeed in inspiring ­readers of all ages to bravely venture into the world they imagine. VERDICT This expertly designed picture book is a love letter to the Earth’s future, and it is a joy to read aloud to young children.”

What a great way to start the weekend.

A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO comes out on June 13th. To learn more or to preorder your copy, see the book page here on my website. 

Happy Reading!
Jean

SYLVIE is a sight to be seen!

Friends, illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins and I are absolutely thrilled that our sweet and surreptitious SYLVIE is a finalist for the Colorado Book Award 2023, the winner of the Children’s Book Council’s Favorites Award for 2023, a nominee for the 2024 Grand Canyon Reader Award and one of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books of 2022. SYLVIE is a story about courage, community, friendship and one small spider with a big, bold heart. She’s rocking the reading world and is in hiding no more! Hooray!

 

To find out more about SYLVIE or to purchase your copy, please see her book page on my website.

With excitement and gratitude,

Jean

 

 

SYLVIE is one of the best books of 2022!

 

Friends,

Right before the end of 2022, we received some excellent end-of-the-year news! I’m so honored and excited that SYLVIE (from Lucy Ruth Cummin, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster and me!) has been named one of the Best Books of 2022 by The Canadian Children’s Book Centre! And we couldn’t be more excited.

To find out more about SYLVIE or to purchase your copy, please see her book page on my website.

Happy Reading!

🥳📚🕷️

 

 

 

A GRAND DAY in The New York Times!

What a wonderful Sunday surprise! A GRAND DAY is in The New York Times!!! And the review calls it “a rollicking celebration of familial love, in all its intergenerational, interracial and differently abled forms.” So grateful for illustrator extraordinaire, Samantha Cotterill (Friends, her art will make you want to jump right into the pages!), agent Erin Murphy, editors Sylvie Frank & Paula Wiseman and the entire dream team at SimonKIDS. Wahoo! ❤️ https://www.nytimes.com/…/sabine-timm-jamie-michalak…

Here’s the glorious review:

“[W]ipe the sleep from your eyes already, because Jean Reidy and Samantha Cotterill’s A GRAND DAY (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, 40 pp., $18.99, ages 4 to 8) is a rollicking celebration of familial love, in all its intergenerational, interracial and differently abled forms.

‘A million kisses! Hugs! Hooray! Our grand day begins this way.’

Bursting with earnest rhyme and mixed media dioramas, Reidy and Cotterill’s book whisks us from one smiling family to another over the course of one day. There’s jelly toast and tea at one grandparent’s house, gardening at another, and baking, picnics, yoga and pumpkins everywhere!

‘Pack a basket. Fill a plate. Grand day goodies! We can’t wait!’

How could anyone feel surly or bored when every moment is so bright and crisp, and full of poetry, pie, cartwheels, campfires, marshmallows and music? Each scene is so deftly constructed, lit and photographed, your fingers will want to reach out and grab that rake or strum Grandpa’s beautiful blue guitar. Reidy’s rhymes are as waltz-y as they are warm, but it is Cotterill’s handiwork that really made me want to nibble on a page or two.

To find out more about A GRAND DAY or to purchase your copy, please see the book page right here!

Happy Reading!

Jean

ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO Review!

Friends, I’m loving this review from YA and Kids Books Central calling ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO a fun read-aloud “that will spark young imaginations” in “a charming, rhyming story about friendship and crafting your own story.”

But if you’d like to read more, here’s the review in its entirety!

“ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO is a sweet picture book about friendship and imagination. The book first asks what two friends will do together and proposes they consider what they would do in a book that is made about them. Using rhymes and a question format, it proposes many activities to spark the imagination about all the cool things friends could do in a book.

What I loved: This is a story that will spark young imaginations with plenty of ideas about activities and all the things they could dream of doing with a good friend or two or three. The whimsical illustrations are quite colorful and detailed, bringing the story to life. The text flows smoothly with some great rhymes throughout that make it fun to listen to and to read aloud. It is ultimately a story that celebrates friendship and using your imagination in a sweet way.

Final verdict: ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO is a charming, rhyming story about friendship and crafting your own story.”

To find out more about ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO or to order your copy, check out my book page.

Happy Reading!

Jean