And here it is: the cover for A Pandemic Is Worldwide, to be published in February 2022!
So much gratitude and respect for the illustrator, Taia Morley (do check out her website here), who managed to take on this sobering topic with such grace. The art conveys the seriousness of the situation without letting it get grim.
I have to confess to some sadness, as well. When I first proposed this to my editor, Tamar Mayes at HarperCollins in the summer of 2020, she had a little hesitation (which I shared). A trade book is not a quick undertaking. Even rushing it (which we did), it wouldn’t be on shelves for a year and a half. Would pandemics still be relevant, we wondered? Would the world have moved on?
I’m sad to say–I’m heartbroken to say–this book will be relevant and needed and timely in February of 2022.
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Sarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Not sure I’ve ever seen such a melancholy publication announcement! The important thing is that I’m guessing this will do some good for those who need it. Congratulations 🙂
I know! It’s odd to be quite proud of a book and sad that it’s needed…but I do believe that information is a good antidote to fear.