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SCBWI loves celebrating our members’ successes and noteworthy news, and there are many! Read on to find out who’s got something to shout about. Digital high-fives welcome in the comments!






Finding Home by Maggie Grinnell published in 2025. “I have sold 18 copies of it and I’m on Amazon and lulu.com. I’m very proud of this fact because it’s self published.”

The Star Who Lost Her Shine, by Alex Huey Evans, will be released on May 25th, 2026. “It’s a heartfelt story about rediscovering confidence and remembering that you are worthy just as you are. Star learns that joy doesn’t come from always being the best, it comes from trying your hardest and shining in your own unique way. It is illustrated by fellow SCBWI-er, Matilde Sannito.”

Oak Tree Comics is proud to announce that it has signed a new sales and distribution agreement with Lakeside Book Company. Founded in 2020 by author Josh Oaktree, Oak Tree Comics is an LA-based independent children’s book publisher where imagination meets environmentalism. Oak Tree Comics has open submissions and is currently seeking stories. To learn more: www.oaktreecomics.com/submissions

The Memory Cake, written by Caroline L. Perry and illustrated by Jennifer Bricking, won a 2026 Christopher Award in the Books For Young People category. The Christopher Awards celebrate creatives whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.”

Messi’s Magic, written by Caroline L. Perry and illustrated by Luciano Lozano, was named a 2026 Children’s Book Council Kids’ Favorite. The book also earned a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and a starred review from School Library Journal.

Dr. Haleh Massey’s upcoming humorous middle grade novel, My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit!), is receiving some wonderful reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal!

Sibert Honoree Colleen Paeff’s newest picture book, Pufflings Fly Free! A Rescue Tale from Iceland, received excellent reviews from Kirkus (“An engaging blend of personal narrative and environmental education.”) and Publishers Weekly (“It’s a sprightly portrait of cross-species care.”). Available June 9, 2026!

Thrilled to share that Karol Ruth Silverstein has signed with Abigail Samoun of Red Fox Literary. Silverstein reports, “We’re both very excited about my new MG novel-in-verse, which I’m now polishing up for submission to editors, hopefully soon!”

Kitty Felde’s Snake in the Grass and Chesapeake Press have just won the 2025 SPARK Award for excellence in independent publishing for children, in the Books for Older Readers/Novel category. SCBWI says “the professionalism and quality of the writing and art is an exceptional example of independent publishing.”

Maggie Grinnell will be reading her book, Finding Home, “at the Delmar Fairgrounds, June 27 at 2 PM.”

Paromita De says, “I am absolutely thrilled to share the cover and story of my brand-new debut picture book, Paromita. Paromita is a young Indian girl who once loved her beautiful name and the Kathak dances she learned from her grandma. But at school, her name becomes a target, turned into a joke by a teacher. Paromita decides it might be easier to change her name—to ‘Pat’—to fit in. Spoiler alert: it isn’t.”

Ann Suk Wang, award-winning author of The House Before Falling Into the Sea, is thrilled to announce she is now represented by Kayla Cichello of Upstart Crow Literary. She looks forward to the stories ahead!

Eori Tokunaga, winner of the SCBWI-LA Writers and Illustrators Day “Illustration Banner Contest” and runner-up for the “Picture Book Category,” is happy to announce that she is now represented by Joyce Sweeney of The Seymour Agency after being selected as a PBParty 2026 Finalist!

The Mythbehaving podcast interviewed Rosalind Barden for their May 13, 2026, episode to chat about writing in multiple genres, including children’s and YA mystery, her writing process, and more. The Mythbehaving podcast is about all things book related and can be found on Spotify and Podbeam.



If you have some Great News to share, use this form to submit for our next quarter’s publication!

For more fantastic content, community, events, and other professional development opportunities, become a member today! Not sure if there is a chapter in your area? Check here.

Images courtesy of corresponding authors.

“Great News” original photo  by Branden Harvey on  Unsplash. Digitally manipulated by Sarah Parker-Lee.