Welcome to our Fall 2018 Children’s Announcements issue! In our first feature, we speak with publishers about the unsung value of early chapter books in hooking young readers. We also profile author-illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who makes his YA debut this fall with a deeply personal graphic memoir. Finally, as someone who knows both sides of the publishing process, Leila Sales shares 10 things that authors wish editors knew, and vice versa. All this, plus our comprehensive A-to-Z listings of titles being released by children’s and YA publishers between Aug. 1, 2018, and Jan. 31, 2019. Happy reading!

Books for Emerging Readers
Publishers discuss the unsung value of early chapter books in fostering literacy.

What Authors and Editors Wish They Could Say to One Another
Leila Sales shares 10 truths every editor knows, and 10 truths every author knows, as someone who wears both hats.

A New Direction for Jarrett J. Krosoczka
The author-illustrator mines difficult childhood memories for his YA debut.

Fall 2018 Children's Announcements: Publishers A-E

Fall 2018 Children's Announcements: Publishers F-L

Fall 2018 Children's Announcements: Publishers M-Q

Fall 2018 Children's Announcements: Publishers R-Z

Spring 2019 Children's Sneak Previews

About Our Cover Artist

Serge Bloch has worked in a wide range of media across the globe, but his passion for children’s illustration, in particular, was kindled at an early age by artists in and around his native France. Growing up, he recalls, “I loved comics: Tintin, Asterix, Spirou. And Babar, too—it’s a little masterpiece.” After graduating from the Claude Lapointe illustration studio at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts, Bloch says, “I started by making books for children, having come out of an art school where we were trained to do that. I subsequently diversified my work—with exhibitions as well as drawings for advertising and communications—and as a result I got to work around the world, in Europe, in the U.S.A., and in Asia. I feel very lucky!”

To date, Bloch has illustrated hundreds of books; his accolades include a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, a Bologna Ragazzi Award, and a Prix Baobab, among others. He divides his time between two of the world’s art capitals: Paris and New York City.

“In Paris, I have a large workshop with a team and assistants,” Bloch says. “We can do more work that way, from cartooning to graphic design and scenography.” And for a break from the city, Bloch says, “I also have a workshop in the South of France. It is hot and very beautiful; you can share your time between work and walks in nature.”

Describing his creative life in Manhattan, Bloch says, “I am alone and I focus more on my work for galleries and exhibitions. I take advantage of the time I spend in New York by seeing my friends and my work relations—[editors] Neal Porter and Jill Davis, among others.”

At the moment, Bloch notes, “I am working on some exhibitions in China, Switzerland, and Colombia.” Stateside, he has a new, as-yet-untitled project forthcoming with Porter at Holiday House, which he describes as “a book to explain to children that it’s important to vote and to vote well, if we want to have good elected officials—not like some today.” Back in France, he says, “I have another book coming out. It’s a book about my family, my grandfather, and my parents; it took me 30 years to dare to do it.” —E.K.