Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 3

Cover Reveal for MAUNTIE AND ME!!

I’m delighted to share the cover of MAUNTIE AND ME, written by me and illustrated by Nadia Alam, coming from Candlewick Press on November 12, 2024!

Priya loves having her favorite aunt, Mauntie—short for “My Auntie”—all to herself. But what happens when cousin Aditi visits and wants to spend time with Mauntie, too?

This is a sweet story about rivalry, jealousy, and family love.

MAUNTIE AND ME is available for preorder now!

A Dazzling Launch for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!!

Such a wonderful launch of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!!

What a fantastic evening we had! I was grateful to see so many people despite the soggy weather. I did my first-ever presentation about SONA and answered so many thoughtful questions from Casey Robinson and others!!

It was so much fun to share this book with so many friends. I’m very grateful to be part of the local writing community.

Five years ago, I had no books published. Now I have 16. Dreams do come true! And I owe so much to my fellow writers, critique partners, and friends. Thank you!!

There are signed copies of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore! Grab ‘em while you can!!

The Trailer for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!!

I’m OVERJOYED to share the dazzling trailer for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS! The trailer was created by amazing Dan Haring and the incredible cover art is by Nidhi Naroth.

SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS releases in one week on March 5, 2024, and is available for preorder today!

Please join me at the launch at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore on March 5 at 7 PM to learn about the inspiration for the book, hear an excerpt, and share some yummy treats! If you preorder from the Silver Unicorn, you’ll also get some really cool swag!

Finished Copies of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!

A delivery came today from Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins — finished copies of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!!

It’s so amazing to hold the finished book in my hands, and it is GORGEOUS!! I’m so excited for readers to get their hands on my first fantasy adventure. While there’s plenty of action and magic, it also involves colonialism and who gets to tell history.

And yes, there’s a MAP!! Fantasy author dream fulfilled!!!

SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS releases in just 2 weeks on March 5, 2024, and is available for preorder today!! Join me at the launch with Silver Unicorn Books on March 5 at 7 PM and/or preorder to get a special bookmark featuring a charm with one of the Golden Beasts!

Another STAR for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!

I’m utterly thrilled that Sona and the Golden Beasts has received a second starred review—this one from Booklist! The complete review will be published soon, but in the meantime I’m reveling in the conclusion that the story is “a meaningful and magical exploration of tough topics through a memorable lens.” Sona and the Golden Beasts releases March 5, 2024 and is available for preorder today!

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title!

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is an annual award given by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center for “outstanding writing in a picture book for children in the birth-through-seven age range published in the United States or Canada.” This year, the winner is Just Like Grandma, written by my friend Kim Rogers. I’m incredibly honored that Summer Is For Cousins is one of ten Highly Commended titles!

A STAR for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!

The first trade review for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS is in, and it’s a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus Reviews! I’m so thrilled about this stellar news—the full review is amazing!

My middle grade fantasy with magic, myths, colonization, creatures, family, friendship, love, and betrayal releases 3/5/24 from Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins and is available for preorder today!!

SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

I’m absolutely elated that SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! This means that many more classrooms, libraries, and readers will have access to it.

My next MG novel is set in an Indian-inspired fantasy world with dangerous magic, mythical beasts, love, and betrayal. It deals with colonialism and who gets to tell history.

SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS releases March 5, 2024 and is available for preorder TODAY wherever books are sold! Digital ARCs are available on NetGalley and Edelweiss now!

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023!

I’m SO excited that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023 among so many incredible books!

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of 2023!

I’m THRILLED that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS by Abhi Alwar and me is on Chicago Public Library’s list of Best Board and Picture Books of 2023! It’s an extraordinary list, and I’m honored to see our book on it!