A book, a blog post and a podcast: Things to check out if you’re a kidlit fan

Hello fellow children’s book lovers. Today’s post is a collection of things I’ve stumbled across recently in the picture book world that I’ve really, really liked.

Let’s begin.

A BOOK

If you’d asked me to name Australian picture book authors, I would have started and ended with Mem Fox, the author of so many books I read my kids when they were small.

But, I’m not sure I would have come up with anyone else. That changed last week, when I stumbled upon THE TRUCK CAT (Bright Light, 2024) written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.

The book is about Yacoub, a long-haul trucker who’s new to the country. As he drives and drives, he’s kept company by Tinka, a truck cat who goes wherever Yacoub drives and makes the distances seem shorter.

Yacoub has his job, and Tinka, but he doesn’t always feel like he fits in. As Frenkel writes, “Other humans didn’t always undertand Yacoub: his jokes, his words. His silences.”

Still Yacoub isn’t exactly unhappy. Until Tinka is lost and Yacoub is driving alone. Fortunately, Tinka is found by a friendly baker who feeds him fish heads and gives him a safe place to stay. But Tinka worries about Yacoub. And Yacoub worries about Tinka.

Until, at a rest stop, Yacoub smells the warm spices of his home country, follows his nose to a bakery and finds Tinka purring against the glass, a new family in the baker and an expanded definition of home.

The writing in this book is lovely and warm and moving. The story works on so many levels — losing a beloved pet, adjusting to a new life, trying to fit in, making a connection and discovering what it means to be home.

There’s so much gorgeous, simple language and so much heart. And, the book has an extremely interesting author’s note that explains how Australia is largely composed of immigrants and how Frenkel’s family found its way there.

If you want a similar book about a truck dog who gets lost, check out WHERE’D MY JO GO? by Jill Esbaum and Scott Brundage.

A BLOG POST

If you’re a kidlit lover, you’re likely already familiar with Librarian Betsy Bird’s Fuse Eight blog.

But, I’d like to draw your attention to one recent post highlighting a new nonfiction picture book — THE BLACK MAMBAS: THE WORLD’S FIRST ALL-WOMEN ANTI-POACHING UNIT (Millbrook, 2025) by Kelly Crull.

Rarely have I read a blog post and thought, “I must instantly go and procure this very title.” But I thought exactly that in this case.

Why? Because it’s an amazing, enchanting topic about a group of female South African park rangers who work tirelessly to protect animals and stop poachers. They are, as Bird so aptly describes them, “friggin’ real-life superheroes.”

The book is illustrated with photos, taken by Crull, who spent a ton of time with these women and tells their story in a wonderful way.

And the blog itself is fun to read. Bird lets her awe for the book, the rangers and Crull come through. So read her post, and then find the book.

AND A PODCAST

Kidlit lovers are also likely familiar with The Yarn podcast hosted by Travis Jonker and Colby Sharp.

But, I’d like to draw your attention to one recent episode where Jonker interviews picture book author and poet Mk Smith Despres.

I had not heard of Smith Despres before seeing a link to this podcast pop up in my LinkedIn feed. But I’m so glad that the link appeared, that I listened to the episode, and that I now know more about Smith Despres and her newest book THERE’S THAT SUN AGAIN (Penguin Random House, 2025) with art by Julie Benbassat.

I’ve heard lots of authors talk about their creative process and their books, and I always come away with insights, but this interview was fresh and meaningful and made me want to sit down and start creating.

A PRE-ORDER OPPORTUNITY

I’d also like to share that Annie Cron’s and my upcoming picture book ONE CAN BE (Beaming Books, Sept. 2, 2025) is available for pre-order. What’s it about? I’m so glad you asked.

I hope you enjoy perusing all the odds and ends I shared. It’s one of the joys of being part of the kidlit world.