Captivate the hearts and minds of young adult readers! Writing for young adult (YA) and middle grade (MG) audiences isn't just "kid's stuff" anymore--it's kidlit! The YA and MG book markets are healthier and more robust than ever, and that means the competition is fiercer, too. In Writing Irresistible Kidlit, literary agent Mary Kole shares her expertise on writing novels for young adult and middle grade readers and teaches you how to: • Recognize the differences between middle grade and young adult audiences and how it impacts your writing. • Tailor your manuscript's tone, length, and content to your readership. • Avoid common mistakes and cliches that are prevalent in YA and MG fiction, in respect to characters, story ideas, plot structure and more. • Develop themes and ideas in your novel that will strike emotional chords. Mary Kole's candid commentary and insightful observations, as well as a collection of book excerpts and personal insights from bestselling authors and editors who specialize in the children's book market, are invaluable tools for your kidlit career. If you want the skills, techniques, and know-how you need to craft memorable stories for teens and tweens, Writing Irresistible Kidlit can give them to you.

The National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count stars in this charming picture book, just right for young community scientists, bird watchers, and nature aficionados. A young girl and her mother participate as community scientists in the Christmas Bird Count. The girl is excited when Big Al, the leader of their team, asks her to record the tally this year. Using her most important tools―her eyes and ears―she eagerly identifies and counts the birds they observe on their assigned route around town. She and her team follow the rules, noting the time of day, the habitat, the birding ID techniques used for each sighting. Finally, they meet up with the other teams in the area to combine their totals for a Christmas Bird Count party and share stories about their observations. Sidebars tally up the birds they observe and record. This book introduces young readers to birdwatching with simple explanations of birdwatching techniques and clear descriptions of bird habitats. Stephanie Fizer Coleman's charming illustrations add color and context to a joyful story that's sure to inspire the nature lover in everyone. Back matter includes more information about all the birds featured in the book and about the Christmas Bird Count, the nation's longest-running community science bird project. Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award Mathical Honor Award International Literacy Association Primary Fiction Award

Hold on to your hats for the conclusion of the celebrated hat trilogy by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen, who gives his deadpan finale a surprising new twist. Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. . . . Evoking hilarity and sympathy, the shifting eyes tell the tale in this brilliantly paced story in three parts, highlighting Jon Klassen’s visual comedy and deceptive simplicity. The delicious buildup takes an unexpected turn that is sure to please loyal fans and newcomers alike.

A little girl thinks her mother's garden is the ugliest in the neighborhood until she discovers that flowers might look and smell pretty but Chinese vegetable soup smells best of all. Includes a recipe.

The Most Trusted Guide to the World of Children's Publishing! The 32nd edition of Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market is the definitive and trusted guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for kids and young adults. If you're a writer or an illustrator for young readers and your goal is to get published, CWIM 2020 is the resource you need. In this book, you'll find more than 500 listings for children's book markets, including publishers, literary agents, magazines, contests, and more. These listings include a point of contact, how to properly submit your work, and what categories each market accepts. This edition also features: • Interviews with bestselling authors including Cassandra Clare, N.K. Jemisin, Jacqueline Woodson, Leigh Bardugo, and more. • Craft articles on topics ranging from P.O.V., mocking-up picture books, and including diverse characters. • Business articles on topics such as making the most of your platform, tracking submissions, and blocking out distractions when you write, and much more.

“Jarvis strikes a brisk, matter-of-fact tone that’s spot-on. . . . His pictures are . . . gorgeous—and thanks to his accomplished cartooning, they’re funny, too.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Deep in the jungle lurks Alan the alligator, descended from a long line of very scary alligators. He prepares carefully—polishing his scales, brushing each of his big, scary teeth, and practicing his frightening faces—then sneaks into the jungle to terrorize the other critters. But after a long day of scaring, Alan loves to enjoy the crossword, run a warm mud bath . . . and take out his teeth, which nobody else knows are false. Until one morning, that is, when Alan wakes up and finds that his teeth are gone! Without those teeth, he’s just not very scary. And scaring is the only thing he knows how to do—or is it? Witty, charming, and playful storytelling in this 2017 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book will have preschoolers cheering for Alan as he discovers a new way to fit in.

A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed. Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she'd be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily. Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly--even if it takes a hundred tries.

A heart can be hopeful, or silly, or happy. A heart can be rugged, or snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and debut author-artist Michael Hall captures each one with a delicate touch. For each feeling, the bold, graphic artwork creates an animal out of heart shapes, from "eager as a beaver" to "angry as a bear" to "thoughtful as an owl." An accessible and beautiful debut, My Heart Is Like a Zoo is everything a classic picture book should be: honest, sincere, and speaking directly to even the very youngest child. Ages: 0 - 5

Who are today's must-know children's authors and illustrators? McElmeel's ready reference introduces you to some of the hottest new names in children's literature, and reacquaints you with established authors and illustrators who are just now becoming recognized for their contributions to the field. You'll find engaging biographical sketches, photos, selected bibliographies, and lists of resources for 45 authors and illustrators, including Laurie Halse Anderson, Haemi Balgassi, Toni Buzzeo, David Diaz, Kate DiCamillo, Linda Sue Park, Chris Soentpiet, Anastasia Suen, Simms Taback, and many more. This all-new new volume is a current and affordable update to the Popular Authors Series. Students will enjoy using it as a resource for reports and research papers, and librarians will find it a handy reference and collection development tool. A great addition to the elementary school library and to the children's room at the public library. Grades K-6