Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

A SUPER launch for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!

On a gorgeous May morning, Abhi Alwar and I launched our sweet summertime story, SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, NY! We talked about the inspiration for the story, did a reading, and Abhi did an illustration demo with ALL SEVEN COUSINS in the story! Afterwards, we enjoyed … [Read more...]

A New Picture Book on Naturalization!

I'm SO thrilled that SOME OF US: A STORY OF CITIZENSHIP AND AMERICA will be illustrated by amazing Huy Voun Lee and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2025! As an immigrant and a naturalized citizen, this book is very important to me, and I can't wait to share it with the … [Read more...]

A THIRD STAR for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!!

I'm humbled and thrilled that Abhi Alwar and I have received a THIRD starred review, this one from Booklist, for our forthcoming picture book, SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, releasing May 16, 2023 from Abrams Books! I'm so delighted that this sweet book about summer, family, and ice cream is resonating with … [Read more...]

The Cover Reveal for THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS!!!

I am THRILLED to share the EPIC cover of THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS, an epistolary middle grade novel co-written by my amazing friend Chris Baron and me, coming August 29, 2023 from Yellow Jacket/Little Bee Books! Nerdy Book Club graciously hosted our cover reveal interview! Read it to find … [Read more...]

A Booklist STAR for A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY!!

I’m so excited that A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY, my nonfiction picture book illustrated by amazing Kathleen Marcotte and coming from Little Bee Books on June 20, 2023 has received a STARRED review from Booklist!! I can’t wait to share this book with the world!! You can preorder now from your … [Read more...]

Another STAR for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!!

I'm so delighted that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, written by me and illustrated by amazing Abhi Alwar, has earned a second starred review, this one from Publishers Weekly! Our story about summer, family, and ice cream releases on May 16, 2023 and is available for preorder today! … [Read more...]

An Amazing Launch for MIRROR TO MIRROR!

What a launch day for MIRROR TO MIRROR! A school visit with Copper Dog Books, signing books at The Concord Bookshop, and a fabulous IN PERSON launch last night at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!! I'm so grateful for everyone who came, especially Casey Robinson, who interviewed me about writing MIRROR … [Read more...]

The Cover of MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW!

I'm delighted to share the cover of MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW, beautifully illustrated by Neha Rawat, coming from Candlewick Press on September 5, 2023 and available for preorder now! This is a story about Aarav, a boy who likes to go fast, and his Thatha (grandfather), who likes to takes … [Read more...]

A STAR for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!

The first trade review is in for my forthcoming picture book, SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, beautifully illustrated by Abhi Alwar, and it is a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus Reviews! The reviewer says: "It’s clear that though relationships evolve over time, they can still stay strong. Framed by the cousins’ … [Read more...]

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS Final Copies Arrive!

Finished copies of SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS arrived today, and they are absolutely beautiful! This book exists because my agent asked me to write a summer story. And so I thought back to my many childhood summers with my cousins, and all the fun we used to have…but also the awkwardness and … [Read more...]

The Massachusetts Book Awards!

What an incredible day at the Massachusetts State House for the Massachusetts Book Awards! For the first time since 2019, there was an in-person celebration of amazing authors and books from here in Massachusetts! My husband Lou and my dad got to accompany me, and it was SO lovely to share … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal for YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART!

I'm so thrilled to show you the cover of my nonfiction picture book, YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART! I first drafted this book way back in 2013, and called it "The Hardest Working Muscle." I always intended it to be a lyrical nonfiction book, but I couldn't figure out how to bring it all together. I … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal for A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY!

I am SO delighted to share the cover of my next nonfiction medical-themed picture book, A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY! Beautifully illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte, this book will be released by Little Bee Books on June 20, 2023! I was delighted to talk to Betsy Bird on her School Library Journal … [Read more...]

NCTE National Convention!

I had an amazing time in Anaheim, California, at the NCTE National Convention. I had the pleasure of being on two super-star-packed panels: "Book Banning and Erasure of the Whole Child" and "Underrepresented Authors on Diversity in STEM/STEAM Fiction and Nonfiction." It was a real treat to see old … [Read more...]

New York State Reading Association Conference and a Charlotte Award nomination!

I was so excited to attend the NY State Reading Association Conference, where I presented, signed books, and mingled with other authors and book-lovers. I'm thrilled that my picture book SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2023 New York State Charlotte Award nominee! … [Read more...]

VCFA WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency!

I had a fantastic time at the  Vermont College of the Fine Arts' WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency. I was honored to be the Guest Author at this four-day conference, and it was fun spending time with agents, editors, VCFA faculty, and alumni. We gave and listened to lectures, chatted about craft and the … [Read more...]

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