Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

The Soaring 20s on KidLitTV!

KidlitTV hosted members of my debut picture book group, The Soaring 20s, on their segment On the LOOKOUT for Kids' Books, Fall 2020! To find out more about my fellow creators' debut books, a few secrets, and some advice for kids, see the whole post here, or check out the individual videos … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal for BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS!

I am delighted to show the world the cover of my forthcoming picture book, BRACELETS FOR BINA'S BROTHERS, gorgeously illustrated by Chaaya Prabbhat and coming April 20, 2021 with Charlesbridge! The story involves one of my favorite Indian holidays—Raksha Bandhan, also knowns as Rakhi, which … [Read more...]

A New Picture Book Announcement!

I'm utterly thrilled to have another picture book with Candlewick Press! Although Aarav’s always in a hurry and his grandpa likes to take things slow, they find a way to make masala chai together every day. When Thatha gets hurt, chai goes from delicious to undrinkable, until Aarav realizes that … [Read more...]

Legit Kidlit!

I'm honored to be the first guest on Legit Kidlit, where Alexis and Tiffany, two awesome teachers, interview authors and spread book love! Check out Part 1 of my "interview" below, and subscribe to hear more from other wonderful authors! And you can check out Part 2 here, and be sure to … [Read more...]

The First Finished Hardcover of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS!!

I got a special delivery from my editor Cheryl Klein at Lee & Low Books, and I opened it with the help of my dog, Boomer. It was the first finished copy of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, gorgeously illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan, and I couldn't be more delighted!! The book will … [Read more...]

The Inaugural nErDCampPA!!

On July 16, 2020 I was so thrilled to be a part of the first-ever nErdCampPA!! The day started off with an incredible keynote from Paula Chase on "How Convenience is Killing Reading": I participated in five panels, including: "Diversity and #ownvoices in Kidlit" with Mayra Cuevas, … [Read more...]

How About Those F & G’s?!

This week I got a very special delivery from my editor at Lee & Low Books! “Folded and Gathered” (F & G) copies of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH, arrived at my house! An F & G is a copy (two copies in my case, which I didn’t realize until I opened … [Read more...]

A Fantastic Inaugural nErDCampCT!

I was thrilled to take part in the first annual nErDCampCT on Saturday, June 13, 2020! This virtual conference brought together CT educators and librarians with authors from across the country. After a livestreamed YouTube meetup with everyone, we broke into different "rooms" with panels and … [Read more...]

My Webinar on Writing Picture Books with the Highlights Foundation!

I was honored to give a free webinar through the Highlights Foundation on writing picture books—a topic that is very near and dear to my heart! I hope to inspire both new and experienced picture book writers with my presentation, "So You Want to Write a Picture Book?" You can watch the whole … [Read more...]

A Big Birthday Giveaway!!

Today is my birthday. It’s a BIG birthday. Today, I turn 50! Unfortunately, I’m not celebrating it the way I thought I would. The world is dealing with a pandemic. We’re being socially distant. Schools are closed, people are working from home, the streets are empty, and we’re not sure how … [Read more...]

Celebrating Math Picture Books on ReFoReMo!

If you want to write picture books, you need to read picture books — lots of them! Reading For Research Month, or ReFoReMo, is a fantastic resource for learning about all kinds of recent picture books. This year, I wrote a guest post featuring recent picture books that celebrate math! Check out the … [Read more...]

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS Cover Reveal and Interview with Mr. Schu!

I am overjoyed to share the cover of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, which will release this year from Lee & Low Books, gorgeously illustrated by the incredible Archana Sreenivasan, on Mr. Schu's blog! The brilliant cover is below, and you can read my interview with Mr. Schu here! … [Read more...]

“Leap Into Publishing” with SCBWI Central-South Ohio!

I was honored to be asked by SCBWI Central-South Ohio to be faculty for their day-long workshop, "Leap Into Publishing," at the Columbus Main Public Library on February 29, 2020! I was joined by my fantastic agent, Brent Taylor, and another client of his, L. Philips. Brent gave an informative … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal: GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL by Hayley Barrett, Illustrated by Renée Andriani

Today, on National Squirrel Appreciation Day, I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of the latest picture book by my dear friend and critique partner, Hayley Barrett! Hayley is the author of BABYMOON, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, and WHAT MISS MITCHELL SAW, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. Her next … [Read more...]

Farewell 2019, Hello 2020!

Last year, I chose a theme word for 2019 using this word generator and got "savor," which felt perfect for me and my baking-themed debut novel. Here's what I said looking ahead to 2019: 2019 is going to be full of exciting moments, and I'm going to try to savor them, to slow down and revel a bit … [Read more...]

Picture Book Boot Camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple at The Highlights Foundation!

I was absolutely overjoyed to attend the 7th (!) annual Picture Book Boot Camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple! It took place at the always-welcoming, always-inspiring Highlights Foundation, where twenty-four lucky picture book authors got to learn from Jane and Heidi and from each other. We also … [Read more...]

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