Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 30
January 30, 2020
MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM Featured by Middle Grade at Heart!
I was honored to have MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM chosen as the January 2020 book club selection for Middle Grade at Heart! Check out the January newsletter for a Q & A, cool recipes, a writing activity, and artistic activity! Subscribe to the Middle Grade at Heart newsletter to find more awesome MG reads!
January 22, 2020
MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM in Parents Magazine!
I was thrilled to see MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM featured in the February 2020 issue of PARENTS Magazine as a “fresh foodie read” along with these other diverse, delicious books!
January 21, 2020
Cover Reveal: GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL by Hayley Barrett, Illustrated by Renée Andriani
Today, on National Squirrel Appreciation Day, I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of the latest picture book by my dear friend and critique partner, Hayley Barrett! Hayley is the author of BABYMOON, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, and WHAT MISS MITCHELL SAW, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. Her next picture book, GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL, is a funny, lighthearted story about a girl named Pearl who wants to leave food out for birds and finds an impressively resourceful nemesis in the form of…a SQUIRREL. What follows is a series of escalating attempts by Pearl and the squirrel to outsmart each other. Squirrels are smart…and so is Pearl. Don’t miss this romp of a story! It releases on June 2, 2020!
I asked Hayley a few questions about GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL. 
Rajani: Can you tell us the inspiration for this story?
Hayley: Stories come from strange, sometimes far-flung places, don’t they? My inspiration for Girl Versus Squirrel began with three little seeds which grew together into this book.
Disclaimer: While this is a fond memory, I’m not terribly proud of it now. Kids! Don’t catch birds!
1. When I was a kid, I decided to try to catch a bird. I asked my handyman dad for advice, and we ended up working together. Bit by bit, we constructed and tested an elaborate bird-trap using an old gerbil cage, a pulley, string, and some bread. Once the trap was set, I had to wait and watch it for hours. Many birds came close—but not too close—to the open cage door.
Did we finally catch a bird? Yes. Then we quickly released it. From this experience, I learned a lot about trial-and-error, patience, and perseverance. Thank you, Brave Sparrow Friend, wherever you are.
2. I was a dreamy, nature-loving kid who often talked to animals. Squirrels, in particular, were excellent conversation partners. They’d perch on my fence, and we’d chirrup and chatter to one another for hours. I like how squirrels notice us as much as we notice them.
3. This story truly kicked into action when I saw Kacy Catanzano’s first, electrifying appearance on American Ninja Warrior. (Have you seen it? Go watch it!) After watching Kacy swing and soar through a ridiculously tough obstacle course, I started to write GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL.
Rajani: What’s your favorite squirrel fact you learned while writing this story?
Hayley: The book includes lots of information about squirrels, but during my research, I learned from Dr. John Koprowski of the University of Arizona that mother squirrels likely do not bring food to their young in the nest. When the babies are big enough to leave the birthplace, the mother begins teaching them to find nourishment. Isn’t that interesting? I think so.
Rajani: Can you tell us more about the artwork in the book?
Hayley: Renée Andriani is this book’s perfect illustrator. She has a gift for capturing both human and animal energy, and she’s great at portraying the emotional connection between characters. Look at the fun, colorful cover and you’ll see exactly what I mean. As for the interior spreads, I love how creatively Renée moves characters across the pages, and her obstacle course elements are a blast. They’re exactly how i imagined them. You can see for yourself on June 2nd, when GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL leaps headlong into the world. Thank you, Renée!
And so, without further ado, feast your eyes on the lovely cover of Hayley’s new book, beautifully illustrated by Renée Andriani:
Giveaway Time!
Hayley is giving away a signed copy of GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL plus some super squirrelly, peanut-free swag! Enter below to win!
January 10, 2020
My Storystorm 2020 Post on Summoning the Subconscious
Every writer needs ideas. And every January, I participate in Tara Lazar’s Storystorm to inspire me to start the year off coming up with story ideas. This year, I got to be a Storystorm 2020 contributer, and I wrote a post about accessing the subconscious mind. I hope it helps you tap into your creative well. Check it out here!
January 4, 2020
My Interview on The Children’s Book Podcast!
This week I had the incredible opportunity to speak with marvelous Matthew Winner on The Children’s Book Podcast! I’m a huge fan of Matthew, a fantastic children’s librarian who does superlative work spreading book love. We chatted about MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM and what it means to me, my favorite Shakespeare lines, and, of course…food! Check out the podcast here, and get ready to hear me giggle! 
January 2, 2020
Another Best of List on Librarian’s Quest!
I was honored to find MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM featured on Librarian’s Quest, a fantastic blog by librarian Margie Myers-Culver. Not only does she list the titles, cover images, and descriptions of these extraordinary 2019 middle grade books, she also posts links for more info, and quotes from the books! I’m thrilled to see my book among these lovelies!
January 1, 2020
A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2019!
I’m thrilled and honored that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM was selected as a Best Book of 2019 by A Mighty Girl!! Check out the entire list to see more wonderful books, many written by my friends!! What a way to begin 2020!
A Nerdy Book Award!
Each year since 2011, the Nerdy Book Club, a remarkable group of book bloggers and educators, selects its favorite books of the year. I was thrilled and honored to find that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is on their list of 2019 middle grade novels! Check out this incredible list of books, and watch your TBR pile grow!!
December 31, 2019
Farewell 2019, Hello 2020!
Last year, I chose a theme word for 2019 using this word generator and got “savor,” which felt perfect for me and my baking-themed debut novel. Here’s what I said looking ahead to 2019:
2019 is going to be full of exciting moments, and I’m going to try to savor them, to slow down and revel a bit when I’m feeling joy. But I’m also going to do my best to savor the not-so-great moments, when there are disappointments, or when the writing won’t flow and every word feels like a struggle. I’m going to try to appreciate the work, even when it isn’t easy. Because work is good in itself. And because I am privileged to be doing work than may end up as books for children. I’m going to savor that. Or at least I’m going to try!
How did I do?
My debut middle grade novel, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, published on June 11, 2019!
You may have heard people say that debut year is a rollercoaster. They are CORRECT. It was a year filled with surprises. I had many highs to celebrate! And although there were moments of stress and teeth-gnashing and doubt, I think I managed to stick to my theme word of “savor” pretty well.
I did a ton of book events all over the country, and found that to my surprise, I actually enjoy promotion. I got to collaborate with fellow authors, made lots of new friends, and reconnected with old ones. I attended workshops and conferences and filled my creative well. I Skyped, Flip-gridded, and visited many schools (including the one I attended as a child!) and got to share my author journey with wonderful kids. Best of all, I got to spend time with my family and bask in their love.
Oh, and I finished another novel, and started another. I revised several picture books and managed to write a new PB draft that I love. And I announced four more books, coming in 2021 and 2022!
Here are some of my favorite photos from launch events, the launch party, bookstores, conferences, workshops, retreats, nErDCamps, and school visits this year:
So this year, when I tried the word generator, this is what I got:
Now how’s that for a cool word? My debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH releases on July 14, 2020! I don’t have a cover yet, but here’s a taste of the tantalizing interior art by Archana Sreenivasan:
SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is set in ancient India and tells the story of a poor boy named Bhagat who wants to earn a place as the Rajah’s musician. As you may guess, the tale involves music and math—a math puzzle, in fact, that teaches the basics of binary numbers. And numbers are…that’s right…infinite.
But so are we. We are infinite as creators, and as humans. There’s no telling what we can do through courage, hard work, and perseverance.
So that’s what I’d like to do in 2020: embrace the infinite. Set lofty goals and push myself to be the best writer, doctor, mother, wife, and person I can be. My family has a lot of life milestones to celebrate next year, and I’d love to celebrate more publishing milestones as well.
What’s your word for 2020? Maybe give the word generator a try, and let me know! Whatever your word is, I wish you all the best for 2020 and beyond, including time filled with love, joy, and doing the things you enjoy most.
In honor of the new year, I’m giving away a preorder of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS plus a preorder of a 2020 picture book of your choice from my debut PB group, The Soaring 20s! Enter below to win, and Happy New Year!!
December 30, 2019
MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM featured on Betsy Bird’s Blog!
I’m honored and delighted that librarian extraordinaire Betsy Bird chose MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM as one of her favorite middle grade books of 2019! My book is keeping pretty incredible company…check out the full list here.
