Andrew Hacket's Blog, page 5

The Backstory: AN ACCIDENTAL HERO: A MOSTLY TRUE WOMBAT STORY

The Backstory welcomes Laura Roettiger and her latest picture book, AN ACCIDENTAL HERO: A MOSTLY TRUE WOMBAT STORY with illustrations by Debbie Palen. This wonderful story uses an unexpected structure to report on the surprising actions of our furry friend, Wombat while teaching about selflessness and kindness. Keep reading to learn all about this book and for your chance to win a 30-minute Zoom AMA or class visit from Laura.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing...

The Backstory: MY BLOCK LOOKS LIKE

Janelle Harper joins The Backstory today with her picture book debut, My Block Looks Like (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2024) with illustrations by Frank Morrison. Between Janelle's lyricism and Frank's style, this book will have you feeling like you've been dropped into the heart of The Bronx. Keep reading to learn all about the inspiration for this book and for your chance to win a critique from Janelle.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration b...

The Backstory: WHEN AN ELEPHANT HEARS NO

I am excited to welcome my friend and Kidlit Clubhouse pal, Dazzle Ng to the blog today with her picture book debut, WHEN AN ELEPHANT HEARS NO. Children are going to love Little Elephant and relate to his elephant-sized feelings to the word no. Keep reading to learn where this idea originated and for your chance to win a manuscript critique from Dazzle.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind WHEN AN ELEPHANT HEARS NO.

First off, please tell...

The Backstory: BIRTLE AND THE PURPLE TURTLES

The Backstory welcomes Tara J. Hannon to the blog today with her early graphic novel, BIRTLE AND THE PURPLE TURTLES. This book is perfect for beginning readers and will have them begging for the next one. Keep reading to find out how this story came to be and for your chance to win a copy of your own.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind BIRTLE AND THE PURPLE TURTLES.

First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.

TH: Birtle an...

The Backstory: TAKE ME TO LĂOLAO

Hello and welcome to the first Backstory feature interview of 2024! I am thrilled to welcome my Kidlit Clubhouse pal, Kelly Zhang to the blog today with her picture book, TAKE ME TO LĂOLAO. Keep reading to learn about how this gorgeous book came to be and for your chance to win a 30-minute Zoom with Kelly.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind TAKE ME TO LĂOLAO.

First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.

KZ: TAKE ME TO LĂOLAO...

2nd Annual Solstice Surprise Book Bash Celebration

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Solstice Surprise Book Bash Celebration!

Last year our Book Bash chat on Twitter was a huge success, however, as we all know the landscape of kidlit social media has changed over the year and I wanted to be sure my friends who have migrated away from the app formally known as Twitter still had a chance to participate.

Thus, I bring you the Book Bash 23 blog post edition - cue horns, sirens, and confetti explosions!

While a blog post lacks the connection and interacti...

The Backstory: GNOMES & UNGNOMES

What better way to cap off the 2023 Backstory lineup than by featuring 109 creators? It's true! Now while I can't chat with all 109 creatives at once, I am lucky enough to have the captains at the helm of this literary ship, co-editors Kristen Wixted and Audrey Day-Williams here to talk all things GNOMES & UNGNOMES: POEMS OF HIDDEN CREATURES, the latest poetry anthology releasing from The Writers' Loft.

I am also lucky enough to be one of those 109 creators to have their work featured in this c...

2nd Annual Kidlit Solstice Surprise Book Bash

IT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year's inaugural Book Bash was a huge success with 64 kidlit friends joining in the fun. And with another year almost gone by and the days steadily getting shorter it must mean it is time again to get our book gifting on!

This year I am thrilled to introduce another gift-giving option to spread cheer and literacy this holiday season. In addition to our usual secret book swap, you will also have the opportunity to purchase and donate to our BOOK DRIVE ...

The Backstory: ROCK STARS DON'T NAP

AH: Joining us today is a rock star author, teacher, and creative that I am lucky enough to call a critique partner, Jason Perkins. Jason is here to share the inside scoop on his debut, ROCK STARS DON'T NAP (HarperCollins) with the most exquisite illustrations by Cale Atkinson. Keep reading to find out more and for your chance to win a query or picture book critique.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind ROCKSTARS DON’T NAP.

First off, plea...

The Backstory: SIMPLE GIFTS

Today on The Backstory, Author Ann Harrel joins us with her latest book, SIMPLE GIFTS (Clavis Books, 2023) with illustrations by Malgosia Zajac. This sweet, winter-themed title will help every reader appreciate the simple gifts they have to offer. Keep reading to find out more and for your chance to win a signed copy from Ann.

Andrew: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind SIMPLE GIFTS.

First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.

...