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Uplift: An AANHPI Kidlit Newsletter

@upliftkidlit

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A newsletter created by eight authors + illustrators to uplift Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander children’s literature and culture

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It’s always a happy day when I get to spend a whole day with book lovers!

Looking forward to being in Marlboro this weekend, celebrating books, stories and all those who uplift literature and literacy. @1000bookfestival

Come out to the historic hamlet of Marlboro this Saturday and spend the day with us 📚☀️

#marlborobookfestival

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I have a whole bunch of events coming up this month and next. I hope you can join me if I’m visiting your ‘hood!

More to come soon, just didn’t want to squish them all in ☺️!

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The October Uplift Kidlit Newsletter is out now! Check your emails or visit Substack here: https://upliftkidlit.substack.com/p/happy-spooktober

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Some more good news - a lovely review for this upcoming book of mine and @taraanandart. Thank you @kirkus_reviews

#librarians #educators #sportsorgs get your copy now.

Pre-order link in my linktree! 👆🏽🥰

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For over 95 years Junior Library Guild (JLG) has supported librarians by reading tens of thousands of titles and handpicking what they consider the best ones across 70+ categories.

I am so thrilled to see their gold sticker on the cover of my next picture book!

HUGE thanks to the team without whom this book would not be, including my agent @wendilulugu, kickass illustrator @taraanandart, the publishing team @vikingbooks and my brilliant editor @akaliaaa120 .

And of course the champion herself @mcmary.kom whose story inspired me to write this picture book🥊

Release date : Jan 26, 2027
Pre-order link in bio👆🏽!

#JLGSelection #Authorgoal #PBbio #womeninsports

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Shiho and I are so, so excited for our next book together, “Fried Rice Surprise!”

In this follow-up to “Ramen for Everyone,” Fern and her mother cook up some awesome fried rice for Fern’s friends. If you preorder through Shiho’s local bookstore Bel Canto OR Pat’s indie Bards Alley, you’ll receive the book when it’s released on October 20 together with a super sweet surprise—a signed book plate (by both authors!), a bookmark and a sticker!

*Why preorder?*
Preorders help build launch momentum, boost sales rankings, and signal strong market demand to publishers and bookstores. Preorder numbers also help booksellers decide how many copies to stock and which titles to highlight (in the shop window, face out on the shelf, etc.).

Link in bio @shihopate and @ediblewords
and here: https://www.shihopate.com/fried-rice-surprise-preorder

Hurry, supplies are limited and promotion ends October 20th!

THANK YOU!!

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Next week! @mrschureads reveals the cover of my next picture book, illustrated by @taraanandart - the inspiring story of Mary Kom, a trailblazer who punched through every barrier to become a champion.

From a small village in Manipur to the world stage, Mary Kom’s journey is one of courage, determination, resilience, and the power of believing in yourself.

Get ready to meet the woman who showed the world what it means to fight for your dreams.

Published by @vikingbooks Book release date Jan 6, 2027

#MagnificentMary #MaryKom #CoverReveal #BookReveal #BoxingChampion #WomensHistory #WomeninSports #IndianAthletes #WorldAthletes #Inspiration #ComingSoon

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Episode 15 of In The Picture is out today with author illustrator Meenal Patel @meenalpatelstudio

We talk about the confluence of graphic design and kidlit, picture books as design objects, the value of learning about project management, delving into work that comes from a personal, emotional space, the challenges of starting up a creative business, including learning about contract language - yikes! - and the joy and fulfilment that comes from storytelling.

Y’all, Meenal went deep and was so generous with her experiences, I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Swipe to see Meenal’s books, and go order them for your home or library!

Take a listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (link in bio) and share with friends and fellow kidlit creatives. Don’t forget to POST A REVIEW to feed the algorithm. 🙏🏽😁❤️

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It’s time to vote for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards and Round 1 is open till Jun 23.

There are 31 amazing titles in the NY Division and one of them is mine 😁 I hope it gets your vote!

Please cast your ballots - and remember SCBWI members can vote in ALL divisions.

https://www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite

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I am so honored to see OVER IN THE MANGROVES in the 2026 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year edition! The list includes “the most outstanding works published in 2025 for all ages and literary genres.”

The books are selected by members of Bank Street’s Children’s Book Committee, which includes librarians, teachers, psychologists, and former publishing professionals.

Published by @scholastic and luminously illustrated by @diksha.pawaskar, our picture book is an ode to mangroves, incredibly important ecosystems that are vital to the health of our planet. To find out that we not only made the list but were placed in the Ecology category is a double dose of wonderful!

As a #kindergartenteacher, the annual Bank Street Best Children’s Books was such a valuable resource for me in deepening and broadening my classroom and home libraries.

I am so proud that our book is being highlighted and that educators, parents, and caregivers will have the opportunity to discover it because of this honor.

Thank you to the committee (I know you wade through literally thousands of books and must make very hard choices). I am grateful for your care and consideration in elevating children’s literature and for making this book a part of the 2026 canon.

@hgliterary @brianlarossa

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Episode 14 of In the Picture is out today with Art Director Holly Hoover of Eerdmans Books! @eerdmans

We talk about her creative process, the joy of acquiring picture books from abroad, her perspective on asking for illustration samples, having the humility to know when to get out of a project’s way, her advice to illustrators about their voice, what may surprise people about her job and so much more.

Take a listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
(link in bio👆🏽) and share with friends and fellow kidlit creatives. Do post a review to feed the algorithm!

And look out for upcoming episodes with @meenalpatelstudio and @london.ladd 😍

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🌺 GIVEAWAY CLOSED 🌺

ONE Giveaway, FOUR HAWAIIAN BOOKS
AANHPI month may be ending, but every day is a great day to read Native Hawaiian authors! To celebrate Kānaka writers all year, here’s a special giveaway.

TO ENTER:
❤️ Like this post
👉🏼 Follow @kauawrites, @shaykauwe, @maliamaunakea, & @kealakendall
💬 Tag a friend (for fun, tell us 1 thing you learned about the PI community this May 👀)

Closes 11:59pm HST, June 11. Winner gets all 4 signed books. Only open to US & Canada. To learn more about the books, look below ⬇️ and check out PEAK Reads exclusive interviews with each author!

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