Thank you, Candlewick Press! More-igami is now available in paperback. Find it at Barnes & Noble, your local independent bookseller, or wherever you buy children’s books.

I’m deeply grateful to announce that I’ve been selected to receive a Marion Vannett Ridgway Honor Award for More-igami.

The Ridgway Award is given annually “in recognition of an outstanding debut in the world of children’s picture books.” Established in 1993, the award is named for an artist’s representative who took a special interest in new authors and illustrators just breaking into the publishing business.

Winners are selected by a group of published authors and illustrators.

More-igami was among a handful of “new children’s books too good to miss” featured in the May 2017 issue of Young Children, the journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

“This story ties together themes of skill development, community, diversity, and good character. Classroom extension activities abound,” says the review.

Download a PDF of the complete “Reading Chair” article.

The Washington Library Association has released its list of nominees for the 2018 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award . . . and More-igami is on the list!

I’m extra happy about this nomination, because it means More-igami will be shared with children all over Washington. During the 2017-18 school year, librarians and teachers in public and private schools throughout the state will read all the nominated books to students in kindergarten through third grade. Then the kids will vote for their favorites. How wonderful to know that my story will be heard by thousands of school children — an author’s dream come true.

Thank you to the Chicago Public Library for naming More-igami one of its 30 Best Picture Books of 2016, a collection the library describes as “the very best picture books published for kids from birth to 3rd grade in 2016.” What a wonderful honor to be included on this list.

What a thrill to get an e-mail from Candlewick Press telling me that Kirkus Reviews had named More-igami to its list of The Best Picture Books of 2016! I’m deeply honored.

During my recent trip to Boston, I got to visit the Candlewick Press offices. So lovely. Have you ever seen a four-foot bear made out of LEGOs? I have — in Candlewick’s lobby!

While I was there, they filmed an interview with me as part of their “Five Questions (Plus One!)” series. Watch the video to find out about my path to becoming an author and see one toddler’s adorable reaction to More-igami.

The Georgia Center for the Book selected More-igami as one of ten children’s books on its “Books All Young Georgians Should Read” list for 2016. What a lovely honor from the literary community of my home state!

The list was established in 2010 and is intended as a guide for parents, teachers, and librarians looking for books with connections to Georgia.

“A gem,” concluded Kirkus Reviews, which today released a starred review of More-igami.

“Kleber uses simple language but gives young readers great credit for understanding multiple concepts conveyed at once, and the story is all the better for it. … [Karas’] art shows his hand … which gives the book a gentle, handmade feel. It’s an excellent companion to Kleber’s story, which encourages patience, practice, and sharing creativity….”

The full review will be published in the magazine’s Feb. 1, 2016 issue.

ABOUT KIRKUS REVIEWS
Founded in 1933, Kirkus has been one of the most trusted and authoritative voices in book discovery. When Kirkus Reviews was established by Virginia Kirkus, it was an innovation in the publishing field. Virginia arranged to receive advance galley proofs of books from publishers — only 20 or so at first, but eventually nearly every firm of any size in the industry. She read the galleys and wrote brief, critical evaluations of their literary merit and probable popular appeal. Today, Kirkus Reviews covers more than 7,000 books published by traditional houses and more than 3,000 self-published books every year. The magazine is published on the 1st and 15th of every month, and because of the scope of their coverage, their authoritative voice and the timeliness of their reviews, Kirkus Reviews is revered by many as the first indicator of a book’s potential. For more information, visit www.kirkus.com.