 KLiC: What was your inspiration for Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name? YH: The inspiration for the book title came from the story behind the book. During the pandemic, I started working with a primary school in the west of Scotland. About 90% of the school’s pupils at that time were from an ethnic minority background but the pupils didn’t see themselves as the main character in books and didn’t use their own names in creating stories in class. Names, which were from their own culture, community, religion, or heritage. I remember one of the teachers telling me that the children had been putting together a list of teddy bear names for a raffle and had chosen predominantly European names like Jack, Alan and Sarah. Not one of those children had picked a name like their own such as Anum, Omar or Fauzia. This anecdote became crucial to the school developing a project called ‘We Can Be Heroes’ where myself and two other writers worked with the pupils to help create stories where those children saw themselves in the books they read and were the heroes of those stories. My time at the school was also the inspiration for both the story and title of my book, Abdullah’s Bear Needs A Name!, about a boy called Abdullah who gets gifted a teddy bear passed down through generations, but he can’t find the right name for the bear until one day he hears an old story about his Dadaji (granddad).  KLIC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? YH: I can’t praise Sophie Benmouyal, who is the illustrator of the book enough! She’s done such a terrific job and really brought the story to life more than I could have imagined. There are so many favourite illustrations to pick from! I think every spread where Abdullah is holding the bear you can see the love on his face. I really valued the collaborative process with my publishers in terms of the illustrations where I was asked for my opinion and feedback which was then given to Sophie who would then go ahead and do the illustrations based on that. I think this makes the book more authentic and richer in cultural experience and really goes that extra mile. For example, the detail on the shalwar kameez (clothes that the characters are wearing), the Pakistani food, the shops on the street, etc. But one of my favourite illustrations is where Abdullah asks his Abba to tell him a bedtime story. The details are wonderfully done and this was based on my own experience visiting Pakistan. A fun fact, Sophie started to research into her own Moroccan heritage for the book’s illustrations, so the book really is a piece of so many people’s heart – their experiences, stories, culture and histories. KLIC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book? YH: I want children to believe that they are worthy of being the central character in books. I want them to develop confidence and believe in themselves. For a long time growing up, I believed that only those who looked a certain way were worth reading about. I hope Abdullah’s Bear Needs A Name! will help change that perception and encourage all children to believe that they are important and worth reading and writing about, no matter who they are. Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name! releases in February 2026, but you can learn more or pre-order here.  Yasmin Hanif is a British-Pakistani author, poet and educator from a Muslim background. She worked on the 'We Can Be Heroes' project, which tackled the lack of diversity in children's literature and won several UK awards. Yasmin's debut picture book Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name! is inspired by this project. She lives in the west of Scotland, UK.
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 We are so excited to host debut picture book author Moniza Hossain! Her picture book, Street Puppy, Masjid Cat releases on October 7th. It is illustrated by Wastana Haikal. Read more below: What was your inspiration for Street Puppy, Masjid Cat? I was looking after my sister’s dog when I wrote this book. Every evening, we would go for a walk past our neighborhood mosque, and the dog was absolutely obsessed with the cat that lived in the mosque. He would sit at the gate and cry while the cat glared out at him. Needless to say, his love was not reciprocated. I decided to write him a happier ending in my book, where a dog and a cat find common ground in an unlikely friendship. I love the fact that cats often live in mosques and I’ve always thought that a picture book about this unique cultural phenomenon would be cute and sweet. Serendipitously, the universe threw a mosque cat story in my lap. I think this was a story that was always meant to be written. There are so many misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, and this story gave me the perfect opportunity to shed some light on the importance of kindness in my religion. Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? I tend to write my picture books very quickly. Once inspiration strikes, I can usually have the story drafted in about three days. The first few lines of this book (which have not changed since I wrote them) came to me while I was walking the dog. I took my phone out and dashed the lines out in the notes app. I built on those lines once I got back home and then shared the draft with my critique partners. I did a few more rounds of edits and then sent the manuscript off to my agent. I don’t remember how long it took for the book to sell, but my editor came back with a R&R fairly quickly. She wanted me to flesh out the friendship arc within the story a little bit more. Once I did that, she took the manuscript to acquisition, and the book sold. What are your favorite illustrations in the book? It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I love every page of this book. I had the honor of working on this story with Wastana Haikal, who is a brilliant Indonesian artist, and he brought the story to such vivid life with his exuberant, colorful art that it took my breath away when I first saw it. My favorite page is probably the page that introduces the two main characters, because their distinct personalities leap off the page so charmingly. The dog is sweet, the cat a little naughty. You get a peek at the setting of the story; the Southeast Asian city the stray dog roams about in and the beautiful mosque the cat lives in. The book is rife with cultural details that add to the beauty of the tale. -- Moniza Hossain is a Singaporean author of Bengali descent who writes children’s books inspired by her heritage. Her debut picture book, Street Puppy Masjid Cat, is coming out in October of 2025 with Little Bee Books, and her sophomore picture book, Ritu In The Sun, will be published by Random House Children’s Books in 2026. She also writes books for middle-grade readers. Her middle-grade debut, The Fear Factory, will be published by Holiday House Books in 2026. She has a short story in the award winning anthology Being Ace, and another in an anthology entitled The Beasts Beneath the Winds, that will be published in the fall of 2025 with Abrams. When she’s not busy writing, she teaches English literature and paints dragons. Follow her at: Twitter: @moniza_hossain Instagram: @monizahossain   We are excited to feature Nadia Salomon on the blog today to discuss her newest picture book, A Rakhi For Rakesh, published July 8, 2025 with HarperCollins (Versify), illustrations by Nabi H. Ali. KLiC: What was your inspiration for A RAKHI FOR RAKESH? NS: I wrote A RAKHI FOR RAKESH after celebrating Raksha Bandhan with my big brother, Superman. We used to exchange rakhis via mail. But as we got older, we realized the power of siblinghood. Once our parents are gone, we’ll only have each other. In 2018, Superman happened to visit during Raksha Bandhan weekend. We performed the rakhi ceremony. We choked up, there were tears, and I thought...I would love to write about this emotional experience for littles. KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? NS: I love all the illustrations in the whole book - Nabi's art is incredible. He created the images in a new style that I'm incredibly thankful for. After having read our book and flipped through the pages - my favorite illustrations are:
They capture emotion and joy beautifully.  KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? NS: I use a cheat sheet to draft story ideas. While some stories write themselves, others are 'hot'. Some of my stories require a lot of revision, research, and additional brainstorming. I apply craft tools I learned along the way to write better stories. I wrote A RAKHI FOR RAKESH in 2017. I revised and polished it for a year. At the time I was unagented. I shopped it around myself and a small press offered publication in March of 2018. I was thrilled. This happened right around the same time I accepted literary representation. Sadly, I lost the book deal during the process. I was devastated, but my agent assured me we would find it a home. I set the story aside for several months. We revised A RAKHI FOR RAKESH then took it out on sub in early 2021. It sold to Editor, Elizabeth Agyemang, who fell in love with it and offered publication in August of 2021.  KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? NS: I want children to takeaway, that love is a complicated emotion filled with conflicting feelings. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? Giving up is easy. Staying the course is hard, but so worth it in the end. Set goals. Follow through to complete them. Put the effort in and don't expect others to do the work for you. If something isn't working the way you expect, try something different. Querying wasn't working for me, I entered pitch events and landed my agent that way. I didn't get here alone. I'm thankful for every single person who helped me along the way. It took lots of hands and support from so many wonderful creatives who cheered me on, showed me how to write, and to believe in my words. They were shoulders for me to cry on, and were always standing by to help me reframe when I couldn't see through the forest. I'm a firm believer in paying it forward. Always give something back to the community that raised you. Knowledge is a gift and power. Be responsible with it.  Nadia Salomon is an award-winning journalist. She is the author of Goodnight Ganesha, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book and an ALSC Día Selection. A Voice of Hope is her acclaimed release. It received the 2025 BCALA, SLJ Children and Youth Literary Award, a 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Book award, a Bank Street Best Children's Book award, and earned two starred reviews from SLJ and The Horn Book. Nadia's title, A Rakhi for Rakesh, released with HarperCollins (Versify) in July 2025. It's about a pair of siblings who must overcome big emotions to celebrate the sibling holiday, Raksha Badhan. She works closely with SCBWI, 12x12 Challenge, Kids Comics Unite, and Storyteller Academy. When Nadia’s not spinning yarns, you’ll find her blogging about her favorite reads at Nadia’s Nook.
You can find her online on her website and on Instagram @nadiasalomon.author.  Book Release News for GOAL SETTING IN THE WRITING CLASSROOM: BUILDING STUDENT AGENCY, INDEPENDENCE, AND SUCCESS Book Description Goal setting is an integral part of life. But when and how do we teach this important skill to students? And how can we do so in ways that are engaging, rewarding, and nestled into our other priorities in the writing classroom? In Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom: Building Student Agency, Independence, and Success, Valerie Bolling breathes new life into the work of goal setting with students. Bolling guides teachers, step by step, through helping students set goals, monitor progress, revise (and sometimes even abandon!) goals, and celebrate their achievements along the way. Moreover, Bolling illustrates how teachers, themselves, can set their own goals so that they are learning alongside their students and serving as models for them. Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom draws on Valerie Bolling’s experiences as a teacher, instructional coach, and children's book author to offer relevant and engaging stories, lessons, strategies, and graphic organizers to help all students become successful and independent goal setters and writers. Pre-Release Buzz “When it comes to motivating writers, self-selected goals are much more powerful than school-selected goals, and this book offers practical steps that not only help students to make and revise goals, it also offers reflective practices that foster continual improvement. I like how Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom positions the students to do the thinking.” ―Kelly Gallagher, author of Write Like This and Teaching Adolescent Writers “Valerie skillfully blends her experience as a children’s author and middle school writing teacher to offer practical strategies that help students set and achieve personal writing goals. This book is a valuable tool for educators.” ―Dr. Towanda Harris, author of The Right Tools: A Guide to Selecting, Evaluating, and Implementing Classroom Resources and Practices “In Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom, Valerie Bolling shares her knowledge and experience as an educator, author, and human that gives new meaning to the term mentor author. Students will love learning about her process, can reflect on her work and find easy to implement steps to improve their own writing. She shares her secrets to meaningful goal setting ‘that leads to confidence, perseverance, and self-reflection.’ Read, write, reflect, and repeat.” ―JoEllen McCarthy, educator, literacy advisor, and author of Layers of Learning: Using Read Alouds to Connect Literacy and Caring Conversations Release Date and Purchase Information Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom: Building Student Agency, Independence, and Success is released TODAY on June 20, 2025. You may order here: Bookshop Routledge Amazon How This Book Came to Be My editor, Kassia Omohundro Wedekind, saw me present on a panel during the 2023 NCTE annual conference. After the conference, she emailed me to see if I’d be interested in writing a book for teachers. I wasn’t sure at first because I’d never written such a book. Though I’d been an educator for 30 years, I doubted if I’d be able to do it, especially when I was told that I’d need to write a minimum of 30,000 words! (This book is almost 40,000 words.) After careful consideration – and encouragement from my husband, agent, and friends – I decided to accept the challenge. Having only published children’s books before, I was hesitant, but Kassia assured me that she would be a collaborator throughout the process, and she kept her word. Each step of the way she was there, and I’m so grateful for her guidance and support. Why It Made Sense for Me to Write This Book I believe in goal-setting, personally and professionally, and I have witnessed how taking this action has contributed to my success as well as my students’. My husband and I set goals every year as a couple and as individuals. When I was a classroom teacher and instructional coach, I set goals each year. I determined what I would study and learn to develop a particular skill or gain an understanding of something new. I also looked at student data to set goals for what I wanted students to learn and improve. As a writer, I set goals, too. I have set goals to study and write new genres, read a certain number of books, and schedule events to promote and sell my books. Most importantly, I have achieved or surpassed most of the goals I’ve set, and many of my students have exceeded their goals. My 30 years as an educator and five years as an author of 11 children’s books make me a credible source for writing about this topic. What’s Next I’m working on my second book for teachers, which I’m co-authoring with Pamela Courtney. My first picture book biography, A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (illustrated by TeMika Grooms) will be released on Sept. 16, 2025. I also have another picture book, The March for Hope (illustrated by Monica Mikai), scheduled for release in 2026 and a board book, Chloe’s Community Garden (illustrated by Felicia Whaley) slated for 2027.  Valerie Bolling is an award-winning educator and author. She was an educator for 30 years, teaching grades 2, 4, 5, and 8 and working as an instructional coach and planning professional development for middle and high school teachers. She has been an author of children’s books for five years, having published more than 10 books. Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom is her first book for teachers. A graduate of Tufts University and Teachers College, Columbia University, Valerie has always loved teaching and writing, and she enjoys connecting with both children and adults and inspiring them to write their own stories.
Connect with Me Website: valeriebolling.com Instagram: instagram.com/valeriebollingauthor Bluesky: valeriebolling.bsky.social Facebook: facebook.com/ValerieBollingAuthor LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valerie-bolling-223a92271  We are so excited to interview the talented author-illustrator, Corlette Douglas. She has two books coming out on June 24th: LEO WAKES UP GRUMPY and LEO TAKES A BATH. For this interview we talked to her about LEO WAKES UP GRUMPY. KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? CD: My favorite illustration in the book is the one where Leo is screaming and the words Ah appear on the wall, as well as the one where Leo is tossing his toys, making a big fuss. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? CD: Learning to express one's emotions is vital for a developing young mind. But at times, it's essential to take a step back and breathe, think about our emotions, and if we can't do it alone, there's always an adult to help you remember that the grumpy way we're feeling will only last for a little while. KLiC: What’s next for you? CD: My goal is to keep writing fun stories and explore my illustrating and writing process. KLiC: Is there anything you want readers to know about you or your book(s)? CD: I hope the readers can see a little of Leo in themselves as they read these stories. We were all once or are becoming toddlers learning new helpful emotions for the first time, and patience goes a long way when handling toddlers who have tiny bodies and big emotions.  Corlette Douglas is a Guyanese-American artist and author of children’s books from Brooklyn, New York. She's a 10-year veteran in children’s media with work ranging from animation to print, creating content meant to educate and entertain. Readers will soon discover that she is a vibrant and colorful human being who carries those characteristics over into her work. Corlette adores creating characters that are compelling, authentic, and relatable. Her characters often deal with the everyday struggles of making hard choices, overcoming intimidating situations, or dealing with big emotions in a small body. Learn more about Corlette and order her books here.
 Valerie Bolling was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her agent sister, Pamela Courtney, about her debut picture book, A Season for Fishin’: A Fish Fry Tradition. Let’s learn more about this beautiful book… VB: Pam, I’m so excited for your debut. What’s your one-liner to describe this book? PC: Chér and Papéré reel in a skillet full of Louisiana fun as the start of still water fishin’ and the flavors of the season’s first fish fry get underway... Let the Cane River fish fry begin. Howeeee! Sounds like fish fry Friday. VB: That’s a great description. I’m sure some readers are craving fried fish now. Tell us how this fish fry story came to be. PC: This book began as a poem in Renée LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab class as part of a collection of poems for a novel in verse. However, it was suggested the poem would be a cool children’s book and that I had to add a young protagonist. All of my childhood memories of running from house to house on Friday evenings tasting the neighbors’ fried fare poured. I didn’t, couldn’t, move until my protagonist caught and ate her catch. I wrote the draft in one sitting. This does not happen often. But when it does, y’all . . . it's pure magic. Now, it has to be noted there were revisions after my completed first draft. I don’t like revising. However, my editor challenged me to add heightened depth to my character. So, I dug deeper. I researched for a second element that would add a new perspective to my character’s—well, character. Here's where I began adding layers to my character. My character wanted to be part of this family tradition of still water fishin’. What really is still water fishing? What would it mean to participate in this tradition? My character wanted to bring home a batch of bream for Maméré. What would this mean for the character’s standing in the family if she failed? What exactly are bream? The only thing I knew about bream is that it’s one of my mama’s favorite panfried fish. And the one thing my character needed to go still water fishin’ and catch some bream was a cane fishing pole. But what would that pole look like? AND how can it connect to this tradition? I researched everything. Oddly enough, through my research, I found so many interesting facts. I was having fun! Revision Fun Fact—During revision, I learned that bamboo, what we call river cane, is native to my part of Louisiana. That’s what many use to make the fishing poles. As a child, I thought cane fishing poles were ONLY made from sugar cane stalks. VB: It’s really interesting to hear about your process, Pam. I didn’t realize how much research you did for the book, and you seem to have had a clear vision for it. Did the illustrator’s vision match yours? Were there any sweet surprises? PC: I fell in love the first time I saw my character’s sweet face. So much joy. There are some places where the movement and energy leap off the page. Toni Chambers shares her vision through these rich, saturated colors. Now in my mind, I envisioned this story in pastels (think E. B. Lewis). In hind-sight, no way would that work with the text. Having said that, I’m so glad I was not the illustrator. What Toni brought to this story is so much more than what my writer’s eye could ever see. Now, one of my favorite images in the book is . . . no, wait. I have several favorite moments that Toni gifted. I loveLoveLOVE that she gave our character this layered quirkiness by giving her a pair of yellow galoshes and purple hair. Imagine the personality of this kid in yellow Wellies fishing off the riverbank of Ol’ Cane River. Imagine! The next thing that almost brought me to tears was the matching overalls and striped shirts that the character and her papéré wore. There is no way I would ever have thought of showing their bond, their intimacy, in that sweet, sweet, yet oh-so-familiar way. Everyone knows that families down south love any occasion to dress alike. LOL. I enjoyed the story Toni delivered. VB: It's obvious that you love Toni’s illustrations and the sweet details she added to the story. How do you hope young readers will experience this book? What suggestions do you have for parents and teachers who read this book to children? PC: I wrote this book to share my multicultural experience in my rural Louisiana. I grew up speaking in a way I thought was purely unique to southern, Black American culture. However, the language of my childhood crisscrosses so many groups of people. Page after page shows that Black people are not a monolith. That’s important. Having said that, there are so many fun activities that can accompany this read aloud. Sharing the rich, yet complicated history of my hometown will be a fascinating lesson about powerful women in industry, the impact our waterways had on the nation’s economy, the influences of African, Tribal, and European peoples can be explored through food—so let’s cook up some Louisiana fare. Explore the sounds by sharing the multicultural blends of Zydeco music. Engage in the culture of the Mardi-Gras parade. This book demands you to have fun when creating activities. Laissez le bons temps rouler! VB: Wow, Pam! This book is such a treat! What book(s) can we look forward to next from you? PC: I have a book coming out in Fall 2026 called Freedom’s Eve: A Story of Watch Night. I am working on a piece of little-known American history, a biography, and a rhyming nonfiction story I’m excited for y’all to learn all about. But you’ll have to wait for those. VB: We’ll look forward to Freedom’s Eve next year and your future titles. Thanks so much for chatting with me, Pam, on the KidLit in Color blog. A Season for Fishin’: A Fish Fry Tradition is available wherever books are sold. Pam encourages readers to support their local bookstore.  Pam’s Louisiana upbringing inspired her 2025 spring publication, A Season of Fishin’—A Fish Fry Tradition, Macmillan (FSG) and nurtured her life’s passion of writing, teaching, and enjoying culturally diverse music. Combining these loves Pam created MyLMNOP,
a literacy and music program for early learners. With nearly three decades as an early childhood practitioner and elementary school teacher, Pam brings the eyes of an educator to each narrative she crafts, as she engages children in history, folklore, and the mysticism of her rural Louisiana culture. “My duty is great,” states Pam. “I’m a writer who teaches. I’m a teacher who writes.” Pam is the recipient of WeNeedDiverseBooks Mentorship, Highlights Diversity Fellowship, and the WeNeedDiverseBooks Walter Dean Myers Grant. Pam also serves as faculty for the Highlights Foundation. For more about Pam and her books... Website: https://www.pamelacourtney.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pamismylmnop.bsky.social IG: https://www.instagram.com/pam_is_mylmnop/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pam_is_mylmnop TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pam_is_mylmnop?lang=en  KLiC: What was your inspiration for Ripening Time? This story, inspired by my childhood, is about a little girl who is waiting across a week for plantains to ripen. It’s a celebration of food and family and connecting across generations. My parents are Jamaican immigrants, and I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, a place where—at the time—it wasn’t always easy to find plantains. My mother used to go to the grocery store across town in search of plantains, sometimes finding the food we longed to eat. Their presence in our home was always a special treat. Waiting for those green plantains to ripen was so hard, but that ripening time produced the very taste I wanted to eat! Given that background, Ripening Time was the perfect title! KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? I first drafted this book in the autumn of 2021. I wanted to tell a story connected to a beloved food in my life, and I was also interested in creating a book structured around the days of the week. The ripening of plantains felt like the perfect fit. It took me another six to eight months after that first draft to finish the manuscript because I struggled to bring the story to a satisfactory ending. Sometimes the ideas are there, but the ending isn’t! Working with wonderful picture book writing coach, Rona Shirdan, helped me get that manuscript over the finish line! Sometimes we just need a solid outside voice to speak into our work. The manuscript sold to WorthyKids in the summer of 2022.  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? There is an absolutely gorgeous spread that takes place on Friday in the story. The plantains are almost ripe and the family is dancing in celebration. I love all the vibrant colors Carlos Vélez Aguilera brought into this illustration. They bring such happiness. During school visits, I love to talk with the children about how we can feel the excitement and joy because of the colors! And this book is full of such joy. This illustration perfectly captures that emotion present across the entire book! KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? The journey to publication can sometimes be such a strange thing, and I think it matters that we: 1) connect with community that understands the work that we do; people who can encourage us and we can encourage as well, 2) keep learning—whether through reading craft books and mentor texts, taking classes, attending webinars, etc. and 3) believe that the work we create matters in the world; that our work adds beauty to the world.  KLiC: What’s next for you? I just wrapped up my second season of my podcast Picture Books Are for Grown-ups, Too! It’s such fun, but it’s also quite a bit of work, so I’m excited to take a little rest from that. In addition, I’m thrilled that my next picture book, Beyond Alaska’s Window, illustrated by Monica Mikai, will release with Viking in 2026. Inspired, once again, by my life, it’s the story of a Jamaican family in Alaska who eats the same Jamaican meal every Sunday across the changing seasons. This story is so close to my heart, and I loved creating a book I wish the child version of me had a chance to read decades ago.  Patrice Gopo is the child of Jamaican immigrants and was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She is an award-winning essayist and the author of multiple picture books, including Ripening Time and All the Places We Call Home. Patrice lives with her family in North Carolina, where one taste of fried plantains immediately takes her back to some of the sweetest moments in her childhood. Please visit patricegopo.com to learn more.
Name: Patrice Gopo Book Title: Ripening Time Publisher Name and Date published: WorthyKids/Hachette; April 22, 2025 Illustrator full name: Carlos Vélez Aguilera  In the summer of 1975, I was ten years old, and the only things I had to worry about were keeping my comic books untarnished, getting tennis balls off roofs, and keeping up with the increasingly bold stunts of my best friend David. And then Jaws came to town. Growing up across the street from your best friend is both joyous and convenient. But ten years in, diverging interests can get harder to ignore, especially as you stumble toward “manhood.” You might find yourself trying to bridge the divides in any ways possible. In my case, it was by watching a movie about a giant killer shark. For a boy who was barely keeping up as it was, going to this movie was a test of my manhood that could not be avoided. So I asked my dad to take me.  Once I’d made the decision to go, I was excited to see it — partly to prove my bravery and partly to become part of a massive cultural phenomenon. There were parodies, games, a hit novelty song, even a Saturday morning cartoon based on the shark. Everyone was seeing this movie. How bad could it be? Turns out, pretty bad. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. The poster was rather clear. Far from proving my courage, Jaws left me a cowering mess. All seeing it did was further underline the growing gap between myself and David, as well as the distance between where I stood and the world’s expectations of a boy’s “manliness.” I couldn’t go near water of any kind. I saw sharks everywhere. Jaws himself took up residence in my closet and became the manifestation of all the fears and demands that were overwhelming my life. Not to mention getting salt water all over my comics.  I’ve never been very good at manly stuff. Car engines were Dr. Seuss-ian contraptions, bikes were best used with both wheels on the ground, and the scariest thing I could handle on TV was Grimace from the McDonald’s commercials (that guy was nuts!). And things didn’t change much as I got older. I’m still going nowhere near a “suicide hot wing.” My individual tastes butted up against my need to fit in, and there was a growing realization that who I was didn’t line up with who some people thought I should be. It hadn’t occurred to me that I was supposed to be “macho” until I was confronted with all the ways I wasn’t.  Sifting through those days for this memoir made me realize how much of our youth is still swimming around inside us. I guess we’ve all got some version of a giant shark living in our closet. Confronting and overcoming them is part of the process of becoming who we really are. I’ve come a long way since then — I can go in pools now! — but like many of us, whenever I enter a large body of water, I still hear some faint “du-nuh du-nuh du-nuh” music. But I remain determined to keep any sharks from pushing me around, or getting salt water on my comics.  Paul Gilligan writes and draws the syndicated comic strip Pooch Café, which has been twice nominated by the National Cartoonist Society for best strip. He’s the author/illustrator of the early-reader graphic novel series Pluto Rocket, the chapter book series King of the Mole People, and the graphic memoir Boy Vs. Shark. He lives in Toronto with his wife and kids, where he quite comfortably swims in lakes and pools, as long as nobody makes any “du-nuh” sounds.
 KidLit in Color author, Valerie Bolling, was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her KidLit in Color sister, Tina Athaide, about her debut middle grade novel, Wings to Soar. Let’s learn more about this special book… Tina, what’s your one-liner to describe Wings to Soar? A powerful middle-grade novel-in-verse that captures a refugee girl's resilience and hope as she navigates hate, loss, and the search for her missing father in 1970s England. Wow! That one-liner will certainly make people want to read this book! Please tell me how this book came to be. Wings to Soar is more than a story—it's a healing gift to “little Tina,” a way to process the early childhood experiences that shaped my life. The decision to write this novel in verse, with white space on the pages, is deliberate; it mirrors the pauses, the breaths, and the moments of silence that are so much a part of navigating trauma and uncertainty. At the same time, this book is a gift to my students, especially struggling readers. The white space serves as an accessible pathway for kids who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by a dense narrative, as well as providing them with a narrative that shows the power of perseverance and the importance of finding light in challenging times. I love that Wings to Soar is both a gift to your younger self as well as to your students. What you said about what the space on the page allows is a gift in itself – both a reminder to breathe and reflect and an invitation to struggling readers. Speaking of writing for the reader, share with us how you cross between writing novels and picture books. Do you have a preference or “sweet spot?” I don’t know if I have a “sweet spot,” but crossing between writing novels and picture books allows me to explore a wide range of themes and tones. My middle-grade novels often dive into more serious subjects. These stories give me the space to tackle tough issues with the nuance they deserve. When I switch to writing picture books, I embrace the opportunity to celebrate the lighter, more humorous aspects of life, capturing the joy, curiosity, and whimsy of childhood. Picture books allow me to create moments of laughter and wonder for young readers. What type of writer are you, Tina? Are you a plotter or pantser? Do you have any writing routines? I like to call myself a plotter when crafting my books—really, I do. I even go so far as to write out basic outlines, color-coded and everything. But then, inevitably, my true nature busts out... and, suddenly, I'm a full-blown pantser, leaping from idea to idea like an over-caffeinated squirrel. The outline becomes more of a suggestion, and the story takes on a life of its own, dragging me along for the ride. Who needs a roadmap when the detours are so much fun? Balancing these two forms lets me honor both the serious and the silly in life, offering stories that resonate with children at different stages and emotional experiences, all while reflecting the rich tapestry of South Asian heritage. I laughed at the image of an over-caffeinated squirrel! What’s your involvement in the writing community? I wouldn’t be where I am today without my writing community. SCBWI has connected me with amazing writers and illustrators, giving me a sense of belonging. Kidlit in Color has been especially meaningful, surrounding me with supportive authors of color who share my passion for diverse stories. Attending and speaking at conferences is always a highlight—I love learning from the pros, meeting fellow writers, and staying inspired. These connections and experiences keep me grounded and excited to keep creating stories. How do you hope readers will experience this book? What suggestions do you have for parents and teachers who read this book to children? I hope readers experience Wings to Soar as a journey of resilience, hope, and the power of friendship during challenging times. I want them to connect with Viva's struggles and triumphs, feeling both the weight of her challenges and the light of her determination. Beyond Viva's personal story, I hope readers gain insight into a significant historical event—the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972—and learn about the incredible resilience of the people who lived through it. For parents and teachers reading this book to children, I suggest using it as a starting point for discussions about the refugee experience, racism, and the importance of family and community. Encourage young readers to reflect on how they can support others who may be facing difficult circumstances. Since the book is written in verse with thoughtful use of white space, allow children to pause and absorb the emotions and messages in each poem, giving them the space to ask questions, share their thoughts, and connect the past to the present. Those are great suggestions, Tina. What book(s) can we look forward to next from you? Sunshine in the Monsoons is my new picture book that follows Mira as she seeks out the hidden joy of the rainy season, missing the bright umbrella-twirling, puddle-jumping fun she once shared with her grandmother. As thunder roars and rain pours, Mira and her brother embark on a quest to find sunshine in the monsoons to bring back to their grandmother. [HarperCollins, Aug. 2025] We’ll look forward to that book next year. Thanks so much for chatting with me, Tina, on the KidLit in Color blog. Wings to Soar is available wherever books are sold. Tina encourages readers to support their local bookstore.  Tina Athaide is a children’s book author who writes stories to capture the texture and richness of a wide scope of cultural experiences, recent or distant, with the hope to open readers’ hearts. She was born in Entebbe, and after leaving Uganda, she immigrated with her family to Canada from England. Believing that books can present different experiences to children in an organic, natural way, she started publishing early literacy readers for the educational market before her debut MG book, Orange for the Sunsets, and picture book, Meena’s Mindful Moment.
For more about Tina and her books, please visit: Website: http://www.tinaathaide.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004255516156 X: https://x.com/tathaide Instagram: https://instagram.com/tinaathaide  What was your inspiration for MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL? I’m a former lawyer and first learned about Mamie while researching Asian American civil rights cases. I grew up just across the bay from San Francisco, where Mamie fought to attend her neighborhood school and, like Mamie, am the daughter of Chinese immigrants, so I was surprised I hadn’t learned her story. It stuck in my mind as something more people should know, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit and anti-Asian hate was on the rise, that I truly felt compelled to write this book. Please tell us about your writing process. What kind of research did you do for your book? How long did it take you to write and sell this book? etc. I started with the legal research – Mamie’s California Supreme Court decision, Tape v. Hurley, and all the documents filed in her case. I also read books and journal articles to get a good overview, then went more specific, listening to a recorded interview of Mamie Tape from 1972 (shortly before she passed away), and interviewing some of Mamie’s relatives, including her eldest great-granddaughter who lived with Mamie while growing up. A big source of my information came from the dozens of newspapers from the 1880s that reported on Mamie’s case. Even though they often reflected the anti-Chinese bias of the time, they were the most immediate accounts of what happened and helped paint of picture of how much Mamie’s fight was a two steps forward, one step back process. It took me about eight months to research, write, and sell this book. It was a very unusual process as I had submitted my manuscript for an industry critique through the Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference, but instead ended up getting an offer from my now-editor Phoebe Yeh at Crown Books for Young Readers!  What are your favorite illustrations in the book? Michelle Jing Chan did an amazing job with the illustrations, so it’s hard to choose, but I think my favorite is of Mamie standing on a hillside overlooking San Francisco Bay and her neighborhood where she fought to attend school. Michelle beautifully captured a combination of determination, uncertainty, and innocence in Mamie’s expression. And the foggy windy sunset is so San Francisco! The scene really sets the tone for the rest of the book and Mamie’s long fight. Another one I love is of Mamie and her family eating the traditional Chinese New Year’s meal of jai. This illustration is extra special because the dishes on the table are inspired by actual dishes hand-painted by Mamie’s mom, which I had a chance to see when I visited Mamie’s great-granddaughter. Michelle did a wonderful job sprinkling little historic details like this throughout the illustrations. What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? I hope this book inspires children to step up in the face of unfairness and be part of the change, whether in big or small ways. I also hope they’ll recognize that even though change often comes slowly, especially in terms of social justice and the fight for equality, every little step helps move us forward.  Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? Lean into the kidlit community! I have met so many amazing creators through conferences, classes, pitch contests, and writing communities, and it has made all the difference in my journey. You won’t find a more supportive group of people who share their wisdom, root for each other, and commiserate together! These connections and friendships have really furthered my growth as a writer and helped sustain me in my writing practice.  Traci Huahn (she/her) writes books for kids and especially loves stories rooted in Asian American culture, history, and identity. Mamie Tape Fights to go to School is her debut picture book. As a former attorney and the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Traci feels a deep connection to Mamie’s story and hopes it will inspire young readers to become changemakers, even if it starts by taking just one small step.
Traci was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and still lives close to where she grew up. Most days you can find her there writing, along with her husband, two kids, and their pup who loves belly rubs and Brussels sprouts. To learn more about Traci visit her at: Website: www.tracihuahn.com Instagram: @tracihuahn Bluesky: @tracihuahn.bsky.social |
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