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

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News to Use, Reviews, Stops and Sightings.

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

Posted & filed under Great Reads, Reviews, Thoughts from my Books.

It’s that Book Festival Time of Year!

Friends, after two years of virtual visiting, I’m excited to be back on the road with in-person events!

I can’t wait until 10/8 and the Warwick Children’s Book Festival where I’ll be signing copies of SYLVIE and all my latest books. Check out this amazing line-up of authors, illustrators, music, and fun. All the details are right here! https://www.warwickchildrensbookfestival.org/

And then, the very next weekend, on 10/15, I’m heading to the amazing Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, described as a “magical day of literacy” with signings, storytimes and more with all of your favorite children’s authors. It’s huge and not to be missed. Here are those details! https://ccbfestival.org/

I’m so excited to meet new readers and book lovers at both. And I hope to see you there!

Happy Reading!

Jean

Posted & filed under Appearances, Marketing Minutes, News to Use, Stops and Sightings.

ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO is out today!

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

This warmhearted picture book celebrates the joy of sharing your story with a friend or someone special.

Me and You in a Book Made for Two puts kids at the forefront and asks them to be the authors of their own stories. With its empowering and aspirational themes that celebrate the power of friendship, collaboration, and teamwork, this book fits the canon of timeless, classic books about how we’re stronger together than we are apart.

Twice the adventure! Double the fun!

From HarperCollins

Part of the What Would You Do in a Book About You? series

Named one of the TODAY Show’s best gifts for babies!

“Featuring upbeat rhymes and busy, cheerful, animated art, this peppy, motivational read invites kids to imagine what they could do or be, during playtime and beyond.”

– Booklist –

BUYING THE BOOK AND AUTOGRAPHED BOOKPLATES

ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO is on sale now. You can order your copy 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!

TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS & PARENTS

Check out my FREE Downloadable Curriculum/Storytime Guide linked to learning standards available on my book page.

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 ME AND YOU IN A BOOK MADE FOR TWO, please help me spread the word. Here are some sample social media posts and the cover photo to get you started:

With excitement and gratitude,
Jean

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News, News to Use, Thoughts from my Books.

A GRAND Dedication

I dedicated A GRAND DAY to my grandmother who lived with us while I was growing up – Nonna Fortuna. Her name was perfect because I felt so very fortunate to have her in my life. She was a gardener and a gatekeeper. She read to me even though she barely spoke English. She knit my mittens, twirled my jump rope & loved me all day long. And I loved her.

I’d love to hear about a special grandparent or grandchild in your life. Please add your stories to the comments below.

And to find out more about A GRAND DAY or to purchase your copy, please see the book page on my website https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/

Happy Reading!

Posted & filed under Great Reads, On a Personal Note, The Writing Process, Thoughts from my Books.

A GRAND DAY Case Cover Reveal!

Picture book creation is always full of surprises. And with A GRAND DAY, illustrator extraordinaire Samantha Cotterill and the rockstar team at Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books surprised me with this amazing case cover showcasing the scale and perspective of those beautiful 3-D scenes. I’m blown away!

To find out more about A GRAND DAY or to purchase your copy, please see the book page on my website https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/

Happy Reading!

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News to Use, Stops and Sightings, The Writing Process, Thoughts from my Books.

A GRAND DAY is on sale today!

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

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

Any day spent together is sure to be grand! This rhyming, warmhearted picture book captures the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren in every kind of family!

From Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Family ties so strong and true. / Part of me / is part of you.”
Young readers and their grown-ups will appreciate this homage to familial love and will return to it again and again. 

A heartfelt, exuberant ode to intergenerational bonding.

– Kirkus Review –
BUYING THE BOOK AND AUTOGRAPHED BOOKPLATES

A GRAND DAY is on sale today. You can order or buy your copy 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!

 

TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS & PARENTS
Check out my FREE Downloadable Curriculum/Storytime Guide linked to learning standards available on my book page.

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 GRAND DAY, please help me spread the word. Here are some sample social media posts and the cover photo to get you started:

  • “A million kisses! Hugs! Hooray! Our grand day begins this way!” A GRAND DAY – a new book from @jeanreidy, Samantha Cotterill & @simonkids, celebrating the love between grandparents and grandchildren in every kind of family! Order it today! https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/
  • “Family ties so strong and true. Part of me is part of you!” A GRAND DAY – a new book from @jeanreidy, Samantha Cotterill & @simonkids, celebrating the love between grandparents and grandchildren in every kind of family! Order it today! https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/
  • Celebrate the love between grandparents and grandchildren with A GRAND DAY – a new, rhyming, warmhearted picture book from @jeanreidy, illustrator Samantha Cotterill and @simonkids. Buy it right here! https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/
  • A perfect gift for a grandchild or grandparent – A GRAND DAY – a new book from @jeanreidy, illustrator Samantha Cotterill & @simonkids, celebrating the love between grandparents and grandchildren in every kind of family! Buy it today! https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/
With excitement and gratitude,
Jean
Posted & filed under Great Reads, News to Use, Reviews, Thoughts from my Books.

A Sneak Peek at A GRAND DAY!

My upcoming picture book, A GRAND DAY (from Samantha Cotterill, Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster and me!) celebrating the special bond between grandchildren and grandparents in every kind of family, comes out on July 5th. I can’t wait. And while I’ve not yet received my author copies, I have had some lovely sneak peeks at this beautiful book. I’m happy to share them with you.

The first are a few spreads from the F&Gs (the folded and gathered review copies). And as you can see Samantha Cotterill’s 3-D art is amazing. Check out those adorable details! I’d love to live inside these pages.

Then, a few weeks ago, a surprise package arrived from Samantha. It contained not only a copy of her beautiful collaboration with my friend Elaine Vickers, THANKFUL, but also this tiny, constructed painting from one of the 3-D “sets” from the book. I was over the moon to receive this very special gift.

Samantha Cotterill’s work makes me swoon!

But in addition to these peeks from the book, I have other “grand day” news. Right about the same time that A GRAND DAY comes out (July 5th) my 5th grandchild is due! The timing is stupendous and serendipitous and miraculous. July can’t come soon enough!

To find out more about A GRAND DAY or to purchase your copy, please see the book page on my website https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/

Happy Reading!

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News to Use, On a Personal Note, Stops and Sightings, Thoughts from my Books.

A Beautiful Kirkus Review for A GRAND DAY!

Friends, please bear with me and my braggy posts for just a little longer because I still have two more picture books coming out this year! And A GRAND DAY, which comes out on 7/5 from SimonKIDS, Samantha Cotterill and me,  just got this beautiful review!! ❤️

Yay!!!

Kirkus Reviews – thank you so VERY much!

Grandparents and grandkids (including my own 4+) – this one’s for you!

Here’s the review!

“Every day is a grand day when family members have fun together. Children and parents and most especially grandparents gather to enjoy one another’s company while sharing a wide variety of activities. Brief, simply expressed rhymes capture the excitement the children feel while participating in each adventure. The rhymes appear within brightly-hued double-page spreads that enlarge and enhance every aspect of the events. Families are seen enjoying breakfast on the porch, backyard gardening, making art, and visiting the park to play, have picnics, and read. They cook together, play dress-up, dance, discover treasures in the attic, have a family feast, and roast marshmallows around a fire pit. Cotterill’s stunning mixed-media, three-dimensional illustrations flesh out the tale and depict every activity and setting in minute detail while conveying the love and joy of the extended families with laughter and loads of hugs and kisses. Family members are diverse in skin tone; one child uses a wheelchair. The phrase grand days has a subtle added meaning, referring to both the fun of the day and the special closeness children feel with their grandparents. ‘Family ties so strong and true / Part of me / is part of you.’ Young readers and their grown-ups will appreciate this homage to familial love and will return to it again and again.

A heartfelt, exuberant ode to intergenerational bonding.”

I’m blushing!!

To find out more about A GRAND DAY or to purchase your copy, please see the book page on my website https://jeanreidy.com/books/a-grand-day/

Happy Reading!

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News to Use, Reviews, Thoughts from my Books.