I’m super excited for my book launch next week for UNICYCLE DAD, by Sarah Hovorka and Alicia Schwab, published by Amicus Ink March 12, 2024.
I made new business cards, stickers and bookmarks.
UPCOMING BOOK SIGNING & SALES
March 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rosemount Writers Festival in Rosemount, MN. Book signing and sale.
March 23, 10:30-Noon, UNICYCLE DAD, Alicia Schwab: Book signing and storytime at Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105
Red Balloon is excited to welcome local illustrator Alicia Schwab for a special storytime in honor of her new picture book, Unicycle Dad!
Sarah cooks, takes care of her brother, and does homework on her own, while her single dad is at work or school. Based on the author's childhood, Unicycle Dad shares the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Join Alicia Schwab for a read-aloud of Unicycle Dad, a drawing demonstration, and snacks!
To attend: This event is open to the public, but registration helps us when considering spatial constraints. You can register through March 23, 9:00am and order a copy of the book below. Extra copies of Unicycle Dad will be available for purchase during the event.
Signing Guidelines: Following the event, Alicia Schwab will sign and personalize copies of the book. If you would prefer not to stay for the signing portion, Red Balloon is happy to have your books signed and personalized for you and will contact you when they're ready to be picked up.
Accessibility: Red Balloon Bookshop is wheelchair accessible and has a handicap parking spot directly behind our store. If you have a disability or medical condition and have questions about or need other specific accommodations, please email events@redballoonbookshop.com or call 651-224-8320.
Alicia Schwab (a-LEE-sha SHH-wab) (she/her/hers) is an award-winning illustrator of books in multiple genres. Alicia is an advocate of autism and learning differences, and specializes in books about characters who conquer adversity. She speaks on various topics at bookstores, schools, libraries, conferences, and book festivals.
Sarah Hovorka is an author of picture books, novels and short stories for all ages. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the California Writers Club. Sarah lives with her husband and her three sons in California.
On March 16th, 2024, I will be at the Steeple Center in Rosemount, MN, selling my books at the Rosemount Writers Festival and Book Fair. 9 a.m. —4:30 p.m.
You can read more about the Festival at the Patch.com
From the picture book UNICYCLE DAD, written by Sarah Hovorka and illustrated by Alicia Schwab.
I illustrated three new books out in 2024:
UNICYCLE DAD, written by Sarah Hovorka
THE GOAT THAT ATE THE REMOTE, written by Eunice Hafemeister
THE FORGOTTEN DOORWAY, written by A. G. Roberts
I hope to see you there!
To arrange an interview with Alicia or to request review copies of any of her books, please contact ::
Rachel M. Anderson, Marketing & PR Consultant/Publicist
RMA PUBLICITY :: 952-240-2513 :: rachel@rmapublicity.com
I’ve been reading lots of picture books, both picture books and picture book-graphic novels. Here’s some of my #libraryloot.
Stop That Yawn! by Caron Levis and LeUyen Pham. Levis’ text is spunky and fun. Pham’s character design is superb.
Gabby Wild has had enough of bedtime. Yawn, curl, snuggle, snore—what a bore!
So instead of tucking in, she jets out—with poor Granny in tow—to a place where beds are for bouncing, hushes are shushed, and it’s never too late for ice cream. But sometimes, even when you grit your teeth and seal your lips, it’s impossible to stop that…YAWN!
There’s a yawn on the loose! Can Gabby stop that yawn from spreading the snooze, or will it be lights out for Never Sleeping City?
48 pages, 4-8 years, Trim: 9 x 12 inches, October 2018, ISBN 978-1481441797
Lost & Found, by Shaun Tan
A collection of three jaw-dropping stories: The Red Tree, The Lost Thing, and The Rabbits, by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Shaun Tan
128 pages, 12 years and up, Trim: 9 x 11.75, March 2011, ISBN 978-0545229241
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man, by Michael Chabon and Jake Parker
Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. But Awesome Man also has a secret. . . . Can you guess what it is?
40 pages, 3-6 years, Trim: 8.5 x 11 inches, Sept. 2011, ISBN 978-0061914621
Oh No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World, Mac Barnett and Dan Santat
Some kids are too smart for their own good...and maybe for everybody else's good. When an overly ambitious little girl builds a humongous robot for her science fair, she fully expects to win first place. What she doesn't expect is the chaos that follows! "I probably shouldn't have given it a superclaw, or a laser eye, or the power to control dogs' minds," she laments. Kids, don't try this at home!
40 pages, 3-7 years, Trim: 10.4 x 11.85, June 2010, ISBN 978-1423123125
I haven’t posted book reviews in a while. Check out what I’m reading from my local library!
I’ve been taking Rivkah La Fille’s Graphic Novel Writing Workshop via NE SCBWI. She has loads of good information. I highly recommend her courses.
We learned that for the graphic novel genre, authors focus on page count instead of word count. Graphic novel-picture books can have +32 pages. Most picture book authors aim to limit their manuscripts to 32 pages and 500 words.
Another great graphic novel course is from Ken Lamug via Storyteller Academy. This is a pace-yourself-style class that is great for busy people.
Welcome to Anorev, a land where time has no meaning. Robots work and children play, but the play is no fun and the work is no use. A curious boy named Ayden and his robot friend Zoe know that something's missing, but they can't imagine what it might be… until 314 identical men in green bowler hats fall from the sky. At last, our heroes have a chance to discover what happened to their world, what might start the clocks back up again, and what tomorrow really means. Blending clockwork whimsy with majestic art-nouveau visuals, Jim McCann and Janet Lee present a hand-crafted fairy tale that feels both familiar and entirely new in this prestige reprinting!
146 pages, 9-12 years, Trim 9.81 x 11.38 inches, August 2017, ISBN 978-1603094139
Without a word, The Wanderer presents one little paper boat's journey across the ocean, past reefs and between icebergs, through schools of fish, swaying water plants, and terrifying sea monsters. The little boat is all alone, and while its aloneness gives it the chance to wonder at the fairy-tale world above and below the waves, that also means it must save itself when it storms. And so it does.
96 pages, 8-14 years, Trim 9.4 x 12.35 inches, Oct. 2020, ISBN 978-1646140176
The brave captain of a tiny spaceship is surrounded by flying saucers. Though the situation appears dire, he knows just what to do … um, wait! The brave captain - ahem, boy - tells the author to stop the action: He’s got it all wrong. This is not the boy’s story. He belongs in a different story.
40 pages, 6-9 years, Trim: 8.85 x 11.3, June 2023, ISBN 978-1525303432
Welcome to Mad Scientist Academy! The first day of school is always exciting, and Dr. Cosmic’s new students can’t wait to get started. After their teacher reveals that their school pet, Oscar, is a dinosaur, they quickly realize Dr. Cosmic has an unusual teaching style. To find Oscar, the class has to follow the clues through the realistic dinosaur exhibit Dr. Cosmic designed and built over the summer. But when a malfunction causes the robotic dinosaurs to come alive, this prehistoric exhibit feels a little too real!
40 pages, 5-8 years, 8.6 x 11 inches, July 2017, ISBN 978-0553523782
A touching tale based on the author’s childhood experience. The narrative, revolving around a father-daughter relationship, adeptly relates the challenges of learning to ride a unicycle to the broader struggles in the father and daughter’s life. As the story unfolds, readers discover the family’s low-income status and the father’s journey to obtain his high school degree while navigating the responsibilities of single parenthood. Hovorka introduces many poignant moments, including her father’s graduation and subsequent disappointment at work resulting in him needing a second job, that showcase the harsh realities of financial struggles. The children adapt to his increased workload, with the daughter taking on more responsibilities at home. Schwab’s illustrations add a simple and realistic charm to the narrative. This book skillfully captures the emotions and challenges faced by the characters, making the story accessible and engaging for young readers.
A heartwarming story of family resilience and an empowering narrative about overcoming obstacles—a valuable addition to any collection. —School Library Journal
This article (by Carrie Pearson) describes how we are beyond the Pandemic era of ZOOM-only conferences. Unfortunately, that isn’t entirely the case for me but I appreciate being included in two of the images in the post. I will be cheering on the SCBWI Conference goers from my home studio.
In 2019, I won the PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD (Honorable Mention) at the SCBWI Marvelous Midwest Conference.
The SCBWI Marvelous Midwest conference theme in 2019 was, “County Fair”. Here I am with my good friends: Jonathan Bing and Louise Aamodt wearing our costumes for the festivities. We had a ball!
THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM
written by Tonya Duncan Ellis and illustrated by Jenin Mohammed.
Balzer and Bray, May 14, 2024
A moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas—and the origins of Juneteenth.
When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.
They built me to remember.
On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in the United States. This day was soon to be memorialized with the dedication of a park in Houston. The park was called Emancipation Park, and the day it honored would come to be known as Juneteenth.
In the voice and memory of the park itself—its fields and pools, its protests and cookouts, and, most of all, its people—the 150-year story of Emancipation Park is brought to life. Through lyrical text and vibrant artwork, Tonya Duncan Ellis and Jenin Mohammed have crafted an ode to the struggle, triumph, courage, and joy of Black America—and the promise of a people to remember.
Look at all these positive reviews for UNICYCLE DAD, written by Sarah Hovorka and illustrated by Alicia Schwab.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sarah knows her unicycle-riding dad is special--even as Sarah cooks, takes care of her brother, and does homework on her own. When her dad finally graduates from high school, gets a second job, and eventually lands a promotion, Sarah realizes there's so much more that's special about him. Unicycle Dad shares the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Raised by a single teenage father in poverty, author Sarah Hovorka grew up in a family structure lived by many but seldom represented in children's books. Illustrator Alicia Schwab captures the story with warm, expressive art.
Unicycle Dad
Sarah Hovorka, author
Alicia Schwab, illustrator
Amicus Ink
https://amicuspublishing.us
9781681529028, $18.99, HC, 24pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unicycle-Dad-Sarah-Hovorka/dp/1681529025
Synopsis: Sarah knows her unicycle-riding dad is special -- even as Sarah cooks, takes care of her brother, and does homework on her own. When her dad finally graduates from high school, gets a second job, and eventually lands a promotion, Sarah realizes there's so much more that's special about him.
Critique: "Unicycle Dad" shares the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Raised by a single, teenage father in poverty, author Sarah Hovorka grew up in a family structure lived by many but seldom represented in children's books. Illustrator Alicia Schwab captures the story with warm, expressive art. Entertaining and thoroughly appropriate for children ages 5-9 on the subject of homelessness and poverty, "Unicycle Dad" is a very special and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Sarah Hovorka is a bookworm and self-proclaimed homebody. Exploring our world and the vastness of the human experience through books, she hopes to share a little of her world through her own writings. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and has completed a certificate in creative writing from UC San Diego.
Editorial Note #2: Two bookworms raised Alicia Schwab in the Madison, Wisconsin, area working several jobs to support Alicia and her siblings. Alicia started making books when she was little and has gone on to illustrate books and publications in Germany and the USA, including "The Mukulkball", "Takoza", "Lite", and various magazines.
THE FORGOTTEN DOORWAY, written by A. G. Roberts and illus. by Alicia Schwab
Mysterious happenings. Disappearances. Whispers about a long-told prophecy.
Morgan Lawrence is putting her plan into action: she will become ruler of the known lands. To do it, she must search for the last master key and control the young adventure team of prophecy. She'll stop at nothing in her quest for power, including kidnapping the esteemed wizard Master Jacob Arrington.
It's up to Henry, Miranda, and Jesse, three young, untrained, wannabe adventurers to defeat her. But they'll have to learn to trust each other and work together as their quest brings them more questions than answers. Has the ancient prophecy begun? Are they the adventurers who were foretold? And is the forgotten doorway active once more?
Join them as they race to uncover these mysteries in The Forgotten Doorway!
I recently posted my standing/walking/reading desk. Well, I took it all apart and redesigned it to stand completely free of the treadmill. When I walked, the treadmill jiggled and made reading the bouncing words on the page too hard. Look! Now with my new design, it’s easier to see the numbers on the control panel.
Why go through all this trouble? I want to read more, but I’m sitting too much. And, I need to exercise more, but exercise is boring. The desk for this treadmill is below my waistline and makes reading down there impossible. So, I made the desk really tall so I could read with my type of glasses without looking down.
I repurposed plumbing traps as feet to keep my reading tower from tipping over. I love it!
TRAVIS NOVITSKY EXHIBITION: Starting November 15th, 2023 and running through April 2024, the 15 images you see on this page will be on display at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, MN as part of the "Spirits Dancing" exhibit.
I had the honor of designing this book cover SPIRITS DANCING, photography by Travis Novitsky, and text by Annette S. Lee for the Minnesota Historical Society Press 2023. Novitsky’s photos are truly stunning and show just how beautiful our northern sky truly is. These photos were taken over many years and must have taken a lot of perseverance to be in the right spot at the right time.
I want to read more and I want to walk more. But the desk on my treadmill is too low and causes neck strain. So, I made an elevated stand. Even better I can move it and use it elsewhere. Exercise is so boring, but I hope this will make it more fun.
Thank you, Vivian Kirkfield for hosting our UNICYCLE DAD cover reveal on her blog! https://viviankirkfield.com/ Enter to win a portfolio critique #giveaway from ALICIA! And a manuscript review from SARAH HOVORKA. Go to Vivian's blog to enter. Vivian will draw a winner by the end of October.
written by Sarah Hovorka and illustrated by Alicia Schwab
Amicus Ink, March 12th, 2024!
You can pre-order the book here.
@amicus_publishing @authorsarahhovorka @viviankirkfield
Here is the cover I designed. Preorder a copy of SPIRITS DANCING The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge, and Living Connections to the Cosmos
Photography by Travis Novitsky, Text by Annette S. Lee
Minnesota Historical Society Press (November 7, 2023)
An exploration of human connection to the aurora, the Milky Way, and the wonder of the universe above us, with gorgeous photographs by a master photographer.
I enjoyed designing this cover. Travis Novitsky’s photography is stunning.
Cover design: Alicia Schwab
Please congratulate Sarah Kurpiel from the PB24Galore Team! Sarah's picture book A LITTLE LIKE MAGIC is coming fall 2024. Follow us @pb24galore for news and giveaways. linktr.ee/pb24galore HOORAY, Sarah!
Hello everyone! My friend Shirley Ng-Benitez @shirleyillos has invited me to paticipate in AWEtober 2023 again this year! Please follow @awetober for updates and I’ll be sharing further as the month progresses.
Each year, we're truly amazed by the generosity of the children’s publishing community. Artist/Authors/Illustrators/Editors/Agents, and friends of AWEtober have generously auctioned, bid, and donated their wonderful art and services to raise over $24,000 to victims of the California Wildfires, coral reef restoration efforts, hurricane victims, and more. This year, our fundraising efforts will support organizations helping the victims of the Maui fires, as well as coral restoration efforts around the globe.
As a reminder, Shirley doesn't handle or make any $ from this endeavor, nor is this affiliated with Instagram or anyone else. All of the participants are generously donating their time, money, and heart, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the organizations we’re supporting this year: @hawaiicommunityfoundation @wckitchen @coralrestorationfoundation @reef_restoration_foundation @sea.trees There will be original one-of-a-kind artwork, handmade items, prints, books, opportunities to videochat with industry professionals, and more!
We believe that one person can make a difference and that we are all connected. Together with Art, WE can make a difference! AWEtober 2023!
MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA
written by Jeanette Fazzari Jones and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett
Two Lions, Kids Books, Children’s Stories, March 12, 2024