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Erica Rand Silverman

@ericarsilverman

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VP, Children’s Publishing & Senior Literary Agent at Stimola Literary Studio | work life | 🪩

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My new picture book, Crocodile Tears, is finally here! 🐊🦋

The idea for this book started with a photo I saw of a caiman surrounded by colourful butterflies. I loved the contrast between this big, scary-looking animal and these tiny, delicate creatures, and thought there was a story there.

And that’s how Clayton came to be! A big crocodile with an even bigger heart.

I hope Clayton’s story inspires children to look beyond what their eyes see and get to know someone for who they truly are.

And lastly, here’s to the butterflies in our lives who help us see ourselves more clearly! Thank you. 🦋💗🐊

Crocodile Tears is out now at your local bookstore and wherever books are sold! 💛

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I am traveling the Maple Leaf line north back to Toronto. I am working, I AM, but also, the sun is shining on the autumny leaves and the beauty of it is distracting. It’s been a grand trip to celebrate Little, Brown Books for Young Readers’ 100th, full of dear colleagues along the way and a stop in Hudson for friends and film and a peek at Maria Kalman’s new book about joy, and really, what a joy it has been!

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Spending a brisk fall morning at an independent bookstore for story time with 3 of the greats is just about as good as it gets!♥️ Thank you @elizakinkz, @devas_t, and Anne Wynter for joining us and for your fun presentations. Thank you to @firstlightbooks for hosting and partnering with @texasbookfest. ✨☀️📚🍂✨

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All of the artwork in Crocodile Tears was actually made out of cut paper.

After working on Matisse: Magician of Color, I became really interested in using that technique again for another book.

So for Crocodile Tears, I would first do my rough drawings in Photoshop, then print them out and trace the different shapes onto pieces of paper that I had painted by hand.

From there, I would cut everything out, glue all the pieces down, and then bring the artwork back into Photoshop to add some of the final details.

The first page I tried this process on was the scene where Clayton is reading to the butterflies.

That page had pretty much all of the other animal characters in it too, so I thought it would be a good test to see how the whole world of the book would come together using this technique.

And once I finished it, I really loved how it looked. It felt colourful, playful, and had this handmade quality that felt perfect for the story.

So from there, I just kept going and ended up using that process throughout the entire book.

Crocodile Tears is available October 20th wherever books are sold!

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How I created the cover for my newest book, Crocodile Tears. Coming out Oct 20th! 🐊💗🌟

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A little look at the real-life inspiration behind Crocodile Tears 🐊🦋

It all started with one incredible photo and the idea of a crocodile with some very BIG feelings.

Crocodile Tears is available October 20th wherever books are sold!

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Children’s books out today!

🐮🐷 Cow and Sow by Matthew Farina, illus. by Doug Salati | @matthewfarina @dougsalati.
Publisher: Tundra (PRH Canada) | @tundrabooks.
Agent: Erica Rand Silverman | @ericarsilverman.

The pair behind the Ezra Jack Keats Honor award-winning picture book Lawrence in the Fall team up again in this tongue-in-cheek homage to one of figure-skating’s most essential jumps, the Salchow!

Take a spin on the ice with Cow and Sow in this warm and witty picture book about the uplifting power of friendship from award-winning author Matthew Farina and Caldecott medalist Doug Salati.

★ “Farina and Salati’s story has a timeless, universal quality . . . A book that guarantees hours of pure comfort and joy, in all manner of weather.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “What starts as a slapstick lark deepens…into a wise meditation on new skills and old friends.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
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🧟‍♂️ They Will Not Save Us by Marie Arnold | @mariearnoldbook.
Publisher: Scholastic | @scholastic.
Agent: Allison Remcheck | @alliremc.

From Coretta Scott King Award Honoree Marie Arnold comes a terrifying middle grade horror novel that returns the Zombie to its homeland, the island nation of Haiti.

Lena is a descendant of a long line of Mumbos — Vodou priestesses. When a mysterious man arrives in Lena’s small Haitian village and moves into the giant house on its outskirts, she finally has something to distract her from her father’s death. But soon, strange things start to happen in her village. People start staring at Lena like they don’t recognize her at all. Their eyes go blank. Their steps turn stiff. Zombie-stiff. And wherever Lena runs, they follow.

★ “Paranormal thrills and striking portrayals of emotional turbulence combine in an intense and dynamic adventure.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “A compelling, textured blend of Haitian culture, supernatural suspense, and the challenges of living through grief.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

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Out now!

🤖 Robot See, Robot Do (Ready-to-Read Ready-to-Go!) by Vikram Madan | @artbyvikram.
Publisher: Simon Spotlight | @simonkids.
Agent: Erica Rand Silverman | @ericarsilverman.

A little robot makes merry mischief by copying everything his friends do in this laugh-out-loud Ready-to-Go Ready-to-Read by Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator Vikram Madan.

Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, this story was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading!

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Out today!

🐆 Mia’s Cheetah by Amelia Bothe | @ameliabothe.
Publisher: Clarion (HarperCollins) | @clarionbooks @harperkids.
Agent: Erica Rand Silverman | @ericarsilverman.

Mia is not excited about the long, boring drive to Nana’s house. Too many miles. Too much waiting. Too little fun. But then her dad lets her in on a secret game and everything changes. Now, the trip that started out so dull suddenly feels much too short! And when they finally get to Nana’s house, Mia discovers this special tradition runs deeper than she ever guessed.

With playful, not-to-be-missed illustrations and a tender family twist, Mia’s Cheetah celebrates the power of imagination waiting just outside our windows.

★ “A joyful, mesmerizing celebration of imagination.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Mia’s pink cheetah is a playful symbol of the imagination’s infinite and eternal power in this cozy, admirable call to find wonder in an ever-more digital world.”
—Booklist, starred review

★ “This visually stunning book has made its gentle case: no journey is boring when the imagination rides along.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

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Picture book out today!

🐏 Tom Nancy: The Sheep Who Swapped Brains with a Boy by Mac Barnett, illus. by X. Fang | @macbarnett @xfang_studio.
Publisher: Tundra (PRH) | @tundrabooks.
X. Fang’s agent: Erica Rand Silverman | @ericarsilverman.

From two of the most acclaimed picture book makers today comes a hilarious trickster tale like no other. A sneaky sheep has a proposal for an innocent boy that will change both of their lives forever: a brain swap! A deliciously subversive story that delivers some hilarious just deserts.

A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Children’s Book of 2026

★ “This delightful read-aloud will elicit true gasps of surprise at the climax. Attend the tale of a nefarious woolly con artist, and prepare for laughs galore.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “[A] wickedly funny farm fable . . . It’s a comeuppance tale with bite to spare, and an ending ewe won’t see coming.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “The rather dark conclusion, with all the air of a classic fairy tale, will shock and delight young readers. A sure-fire crowd-pleaser.”
—Booklist, starred review

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Part 2 of my lovely chat with the super talented #kidlit agent Erica Rand Silverman. @ericarsilverman
During our session Erica drew some tributes to some of her represented illustrators, including @xfang_studio @X Fang, Mika Dong, @areyouokfai @acaseoflala @jasharawan @robinrosenthal @derekdesierto …and more. At the end @mrshoffy shares her Lauren’s List: Picture Book Biographies (below)

As we made art, we chatted about:
• when she thinks the #kidlit industry will bounce back
• the types of picture books that publishers are looking for
• how do I know what trends are coming up?
• what is meta data in publishing?
• timing is everything in this industry!
• what should a kidlit author/illustrator provide to their agent to give a book the best chance possible?
• how much variety to have in your portfolio, while showing your unique voice
• her beloved dog, Snickers and my dogs @MayoAndNoodle
• her typical workday
• working with contracts in the children’s book industry
• what support should authors/illustrators expect from their agents beyond the deals
• …and so much more!

Materials:
🎨 Erica used:
@SakuraOfAmerica Craypas
Colored pencils

🎨I used:
@HolbeinArtistMaterials acrylic gouache
@LiquitexOfficial acrylic & acrylic gouache
@CaranDache Supracolor & Fluo, @Prismacolor Premier & @FaberCastellGlobal colored pencils
@Posca_USA markers
@CrescentCardboard illustration board
@StrathmoreArt 50lb tracing paper
@Fiskars Easy Action Shears
@ElmersProducts Glue Stick

#kidlitart ##childrensbookillustration PictureBookAgent

Lauren’s List: Picture Book Biographies

📓JIM! by @jerroldconnors
📓THE DAY GLO BROTHERS by @bartographyatx
📘GABBA GABBA WE ACCEPT YOU by @lucindaschreiber
📘VIGDÍS by @ranglygenring
📓MARINA ABRAMOVIĊ by @fausto.gilberti
📙JUST LIKE RUBE GOLDBERG by saraharonson and @neubeckerpictures
📘NIKOLA TESLA: GREAT LIVES IN GRAPHICS by@tworiversnyc
📕LITLE PEOPLE, BIG DREAMS: DOLLY PARTON by @mariaisabelsanchezvegara and @dariasolak
📓DIANA’S WHITE HOUSE GARDEN by @jenhillstudio
📕THE RIGHT WORD by @jenbryant13 and @melissasweetillustrator
📓STARMAN by @cordell_matthew

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Part one of my lovely time chatting with #kidlit agent to the stars Erica Rand Silverman
@ericarsilverman
Make sure to check out part 2.

During our session Erica drew some tributes to some of her represented illustrators, including @xfang_studio @X Fang, Mika Dong, @areyouokfai @acaseoflala @jasharawan @robinrosenthal @derekdesierto …and more. At the end @mrshoffy shares her Lauren’s List: Picture Book Biographies

As we made art, we chatted about:

• her previous life as a teacher
• how much fun it is to see little kids play with Craypas
• how to encourage a teenager who might want to get into the industry
• @LittleGoldenBooks under her pillow
• getting to sit at the table with other creative people
• when some people are nervous to talk to her

Materials:
🎨 Erica used:
@SakuraOfAmerica Craypas
Colored pencils

🎨I used:
@HolbeinArtistMaterials acrylic gouache
@LiquitexOfficial acrylic & acrylic gouache
@CaranDache Supracolor & Fluo, @Prismacolor Premier & @FaberCastellGlobal colored pencils
@Posca_USA markers
@CrescentCardboard illustration board
@StrathmoreArt 50lb tracing paper
@Fiskars Easy Action Shears
@ElmersProducts Glue Stick

#kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #PictureBookAgent #picturebooks

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