You all know how obsessed I am with my grandkids!
That’s why my latest book deal is a dream come true!
As a matter of fact, when I first began to brainstorm the story, my third grandchild had just been born and I had recently learned that my fourth was on the way.
I’ve drawn inspiration for this book not only from my amazing days with my own grandkids and my mom’s wonderful relationships with my own four children but also my awesome memories with my own grandparents … one of whom lived with us during my growing up.
I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with genius editor Sylvie Frank and amazing cut-paper illustrator, Samantha Cotterill.
Fall 2022 is going to be “grand” for sure!
Here’s the announcement!
“Sylvie Frank at S&S/Wiseman has acquired world rights to Grand Day by Jean Reidy (l.) (Truman), illustrated by Samantha Cotterill (Secret Rhino Society), a picture book tribute to grandparents and grandkids and the fun time they have when they’re together. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.”
Antonia Markiet at HarperCollins has bought, at auction, What Would You Do in a Book About You?, written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Joey Chou, and two additional picture books by the author-illustrator team. What Would You Do in a Book About You? empowers children to be the authors of their own stories, embracing all the possibilities that life—or imagination—puts in front of them. Publication is slated to begin in spring 2021; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
The Colorado Book Award annually “celebrates Colorado’s outstanding authors, editors, illustrators, and photographers.” And the Crystal Kite Award “is a peer-given award to recognize great books from 15 SCBWI regional divisions around the world.”
Thank you to both Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book and to The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I’m deeply honored.
With all of the other headlines lately, I forgot to mention this. Both 
Nearing the end of my book, Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story, our little pup draws comfort from the rhythmic rocking provided by her caregiver. Why? Because the rocking reminded her of the rhythm of the ocean waves. Young readers can easily learn the relationship between rhythms and patterns by exploring ocean rhythms and music rhythms with the exercise below.
When you change your point of view, your world grows. And that’s a beautiful thing.
In my book 
If you think about it, there are dozens – if not hundreds – of ways to interact with a picture book. Exploring, discussing, and comparing details in the art are some of those ways.
