Julie Fortenberry

I sold a new book!
“Christy Ottaviano at Macmillan/Ottaviano has bought author-illustrator Julie Fortenberry’s picture book Darcy’s First Sleepover. Darcy is very excited about her first sleepover, but soon becomes anxious when she discovers things aren’t the way they are at home. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency handled the deal for world rights.”

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/80861-rights-report-week-of-august-5-2019.html?fbclid=IwAR2rwqhJuh9M6K7k4lnJxjdxRefM4Eod58pFEqqU1Bd16pOsD6IT9qKf7x4

Coming from Candlewick (June 9 2020)
Pearl loves to dance! But will she love preschool, too?

Pearl loves attending dance classes at her mother’s ballet school. Even though Pearl is the youngest and smallest ballerina, she knows how to count her poses and follow along. When her mom suggests that Pearl try going to preschool, Pearl has a lot of questions: What will she learn? Will there be dancing? A sweet and reassuring story about trying something new that’s perfect for young children with separation anxiety — or who just love to dance!

Preparing Caregivers for the First Day of School –Recommended reading from The Association for Library Service to Children
https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2019/07/2019-07-first-day-of-school/ Thank you, ALSC. (And thank you, Frostburg, MD fans!)

I’ll be at the Asian Arts Initiative–1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, next Sat. from 1 to 2:30 making cat masks 😺😼🐱🐯 Please come see me and make a mask! More info about the book fair here: http://asianartsinitiative.org/event/youth-arts-workshop-radical-childrens-book-fair?fbclid=IwAR2aPo5buSQVYzTTdW0o0z5rpCog0xStWMWW8k6lSbtLjFxf2YllKor58w4

The Silent Art Auction, BookExpo Wednesday, May 29, 2019

My contribution to the 2019 Silent Art Auction to raise funds for the American Booksellers for Freedom of Expression (ABFE) and Every Child a Reader, a charity dedicated to inspiring a love of reading in children across America. https://www.bookexpoamerica.com/en/Sessions/77058/2019-Childrens-Book-Art-Silent-Auction

My daughter is a DanceLogic instructor – Through hip-hop and dance, this nonprofit teaches girls of color how to code🙂🎼💻 https://www.philly.com/arts/stem-classes-philadelphia-coding-dancelogix-20190408.html

"It was so special to have Julie Fortenberry read to several classes of Kinder and 1st grade students. The students were so excited to share their cat masks, participate in the story and learn about how to draw emotions. They also learned about writing "What if…" stories and best of all, saw that it's okay to be shy! Teachers observed that their time with Ms. Fortenberry was more than just reading a book. The interaction corresponded to Reading, Writing, Social and Emotional, and Speaking and Listening standards. We can't recommend taking part in a presentation with Ms. Fortenberry highly enough!"
-- Tracey Rowley, Educational Technology Integration Specialist
Instructional Technology Dept., Tucson Unified School District

Thank you to DuPont Elementary for sending this photo!

I stumbled on this video of a fabulous young reader reading LILY’S CAT MASK. What a great voice! Adorable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FMKD4D7rM8

I have new picture book coming out from Candlewick in the summer of 2020! Look for more updates soon!

Lily’s Cat Mask will be in the Imagination Library ! It is an honor. Thank you, Dolly! https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/book-list/

Lily’s Cat Mask is on the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center! Great company! Thank you, CCBC! http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/CCBCChoices2018List.pdf

Reviews!

A lovely review for SADIE’S SNOWY TU B’SHEVAT from the Jewish Book Council:
https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/sadies-snowy-tu-bshevat