The Story of Joan Baez
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Beach Lane Books
(Simon & Schuster)
(pub. 2.24.2026)
48 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Monica Brown
Illustrator: Molly Mendoza
Character: Joan Baez
Overview:
" From a young age, Joan Baez knew she wanted to make the world a better place. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Scotland, she learned values of compassion and advocacy from her parents. As Joan learned about people in need around the world, she sang to make herself feel better—and her beautiful voice made others feel better, too.
Joan sang songs about workers’ rights, civil rights, and the struggle for justice. She started in coffee shops and clubs, worked her way to singing at folk festivals and on New York stages, and eventually she sang next to Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington, alongside César Chávez, and for the President of the United States.
Joan realized music could move people’s hearts, minds, and feet toward a path of justice and peace. And she used the gift of her beautiful voice to do just that."
Tantalizing taste:
"Joan's parents gave her a ukulele, and it changed her life forever. When Joan plucked on the strings and sang, she found her power...
Joan realized music could move people's hearts, minds, and feet toward a path of justice and peace. She decided to use the gift of her voice to do just that...
Joan sang with love, and her words rose high in the sky like stars, giving listeners the courage and light to fight for justice."
And something more: Monica Brown shared in the Author's Note: "Joan Baez knows that the work of making the world a better place is never finished. May she inspire all of us to lift our voices in support of a more just and peaceful world."
- Jun 25
The Colorful Story of Cyndi Lauper
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
{Simon & Schuster)
(pub. 4.21.2026)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Authors: Amy Guglielmo and
Jacqueline Tourville
Illustrator: Brigette Barrager
Character: Cyndi Lauper
Overview:
"Before Cyndi Lauper was the larger-than-life icon we know today, she was a boisterous little girl who had a hard time fitting in. But she knew she had something amazing to share with the world. She just needed to figure out how.
So one day, Cyndi set off to find her own voice, bopping from place to place and trying out all kinds of jobs along the way. Though she faced many challenges and encountered people who didn’t understand her particular shine, she never dimmed her light and always had music in her heart.
Cyndi went on to share her powerful songs with the world and become a passionate advocate for any person who didn’t quite fit in. She let people know it’s okay to be different, and that you should never, ever be afraid to show your true colors!"
Tantalizing taste:
"From the stage, Cyndi saw a colorful mass of people bopping and singing along to her songs.
She sang for the kids who didn't quite fit in. She gave them a home in her music. She let them know that if they were lost, they could find her...
For these friends, and for everyone, she sang to let them know ...
not to be afraid...
how to show their true colors...
that they are beautiful...
and that they are all rainbows."
And something more: Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville share in the Authors' Note: "From the beginning, Cyndi was on a mission to find her true colors as an artist. Life wasn't easy for Cyndi, but she was fortunate to find allies along the way who believed in her and encouraged her to use her talents to the fullest... Long before there were cheering crowds, these special people made sure Cyndi knew that she was loved and supported."
- Jun 22
The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Henry Holt and Company
(pub. 3.31.2026)
48 pages
Ages 4-8
Author: Annette Bay Pimentel
Illustrator: Faith Pray
Character: Winnie-the-Pooh collaborators
Overview:
" How a Bear Became a Book tells the story of how writer, illustrator, and editor came together to craft Pooh's first adventure. But deeper than that, this book introduces our youngest readers to how stories begin and where they can go. As Pooh's voice enters the text, he slowly comes to life in the art."
Tantalizing taste:
"You started with an idea.
And ideas that you think ...
become stories you tell which...
become books everyone can read."
I see I'm made of
words. But how will I
ever become a book?
That's quite a story! Let me show you ...
Alan Alexander Milne was an author. He wrote stories.
One day he had an idea and wrote down some words about a bear.
A bear?! Where?
Oh. Me!
The words lingered on the page ... waiting.
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Wait!
What am I
waiting for?
Waiting for readers' eyes, of course.
For people to read you alive..."
And something more: Annette Bay Pimentel shared in In Which We Meet the Author: "I grew up with tattered paperback copies of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner (which I loved) but didn't encounter When We Were Very Young until I met my father-in-law. In August 1925, when he was five years old, he received a present. A family friend in London had mailed all the way to Oakland, California, a copy of the hottest book in the bookstore - Alan and Ernest's book of poetry... Today it sits on my bookshelf (even more bedraggled than when I first met it). The characters inside, including Mr. Edward Bear, are now delighting the fourth generation of our family."
