Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title!

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is an annual award given by the Cooperative Children's Book Center for "outstanding writing in a picture book for children in the birth-through-seven age range published in the United States or Canada." This year, the winner is Just Like Grandma, written by my friend Kim … [Read more...]

An Incredible NCTE 2023!

I went to Columbus, OH for 3 days, 3 signings, 8 panels, and uncountable chances to connect with educators and author friends! I got to hang out near the big poster of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS! My next MG, a fantasy, releases March 5, 2024! I got to stand next to a life-size Mrs. Z! ROHAN … [Read more...]

The 2023 Massachusetts Book Awards!

What an amazing day at the Massachusetts Book Awards at the Massachusetts Statehouse today! I got to celebrate I'LL GO AND COME BACK winning the Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Reader category, and hang out with a bunch of stellar authors including Jane Yolen Heidi Stemple Malinda … [Read more...]

A Warm and Wonderful Launch for MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW!

I celebrated the release of MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW at lovely Belmont Books with a wonderful groups of friends and family! We enjoyed celebratory cookies and delicious masala chai as well as a read-aloud and a lovely Q & A session! For those who missed the event, there are signed books … [Read more...]

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 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...]

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...]

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...]

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