Meet Marisol McDonald!

We're head-over-heels to announce the release of Monica Brown's latest picture book today, MARISOL MCDONALD DOESN'T MATCH, illustrated by amazing debut picture book artist Sara Palacios!

What do President Barack Obama, actor Keanu Reeves, reporter Soledad O'Brien (and award-winning author Monica Brown!) have in common with the spunky heroine Marisol McDonald? Like nine million other Americans, they are mixed-race. While the multiracial population in the U.S. has grown rapidly very few children's books reflect the experience of being mixed-race. According to the 2010 US Census, the number of mixed-race children in the US increased almost 50% in the last decade, making it the fastest growing youth group in the country. The New York Times recently published a series of articles called "Race Remixed" which explores the growing number of mixed-race Americans.

MARISOL MCDONALD DOESN'T MATCH is a funny and lively story about a biracial Peruvian-Scottish soccer-playing pirate-artist who doesn't match---and doesn't want to! Check out the early reviews, including a coveted starred review from Kirkus:

"A little girl celebrates her multiracial background and pride in her individuality through a creative and non-conformist attitude. Marisol's varied, distinctive lifestyle and multiracial family affirms our increasingly blended society and clearly celebrates independent thinking. Brava!" —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review

"In this lively bilingual book, Marisol is brought to life in both English and Spanish through Brown’s dynamic prose, Palacios’s vibrant illustrations, and Dominguez’s outstanding translation. This fun book allows readers to meet a wonderful character. The story encourages readers to embrace their uniqueness and be exactly who they are." —School Library Journal

"The vivacious Peruvian-Scottish-American protagonist of this bilingual book has brown skin and hair 'the color of fire.' Her friends tell her that she 'doesn’t match,' because of her appearance and her wardrobe, but when Marisol tones down her style, she realizes that it doesn’t feel right. Palacio’s collage work incorporates newsprint, vibrant patterns, and Peruvian motifs, echoing the message about being true to oneself." —Publishers Weekly

"Brilliant, rambunctious, delightful..." —Smithsonian BOOK DRAGON

Be sure to download and share the fun Activity Kit and view details about Monica Brown's upcoming tour on her website.

The Code Busters Club Is Here!

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Can YOU solve the code? Deciper over a dozen codes in THE CODE BUSTERS CLUB: Secret of the Skeleton Key by Agatha-award winner Penny Warner --- an interactive adventure and first book in a new middle grade mystery series from Egmont! Here is what Kirkus Reviews had to say about the book:

This first of a series delivers a splendid story of four youths on a code-breaking spree. Cody and her three buddies comprise an exclusive club revolving around studying and creating codes. It’s all in fun, but things amp up to intense when Cody and Quinn spy two lurking strangers at Mr. Skeleton’s creepy old house.

As the club members investigate the charred house and each new clue leads to the next. Adding depth to an already smart, fast-paced mystery, there’s a resonant back story. Readers are active participants in the momentum and are frequently invited to solve classic forms of code, such as ASL, Morse and semaphores. This intriguing tale has vivid characters and such a tantalizing cliffhanger that readers won’t be able to resist cracking the next Code Busters. ---Kirkus Reviews

Join the Club---be sure to visit the Code Busters Club website for special code busting supplies and secret intel! Stay tuned for more info on contest and events with Penny Warner.

Sewing for Boys book and blog tour

As the proud mom of a boy I'm always on the lookout for books that celebrate boys--so today I'm thrilled to announce our latest craft book, Sewing for Boys. In this first-ever "boys-only" sewing book, you'll find 24 projects—ranging from sporty to dapper—to create an entire handmade wardrobe little boys will love. The projects/ patterns span all seasons and also include specialty items for playtime, art, and "on the go" accessories. The clothing (ranging from baby to age 7) is comfortable, durable, and completely unique. From a retro button-down shirt and suspender shorts to a just-like-dad robe, these 24 sewing projects will keep the boys in your life dressed with style year-round. My favorites are the fisherman hat (shown on the cover) and the treasure-pocket pants that feature the biggest pockets ever for boys to fill!

Debut authors Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage of Patterns by Figgy’s are also mamas of boys (and our editor at Wiley just welcomed a baby boy this summer!) --- so we're all celebrating boys with Sewing for Boys! To learn more about the book, meet the authors at book events in Portland and Michigan or follow them on their blog tour. ---Stefanie

September 16th, from 6-9pm, Shelly Figueroa will be speaking and signing books at Modern Domestic in Portland, Oregon (1408 NE Alberta St.).

September 16th, 17th, and 18th, meet Karen LePage, get your book signed, and even sample goods for sale at her booth, #17, at the DIY Street Fair in Ferndale, Michigan.

Blog tour now underway---be sure to stop in to see some of the wonderful creations--like this one from SEWMAMASEW---- and for a chance to win your very own copy of the book!

September 5 Made by Rae
September 6 Sew, Mama, Sew
September 7 The Southern Institute & Film in the Fridge
September 8 Elsie Marley
September 9 Noodlehead & Oh, Fransson!
September 10 I Heart Linen
September 11 Anna Maria Horner
September 12 Craft Buds, Pink Chalk Fabric, Prudent Baby, Sew Much Ado
September 13 Very Purple Person, Quilt Story & Sew Sara
September 14 The Long Thread
September 15 Susan Beal
September 16 True Up
September 17 All Buttoned Up & Bolt Fabric Boutique
September 18 MADE & Wiley Craft

Adriana in Writer's Digest

Check out WRITER'S DIGEST "Ask the Agent" feature of our very own Adriana Dominguez---where she talks about how to get her attention with your *short* query letter and the specific submissions she will be seeking this fall!