Cover Reveal and Excerpt: Rosetown by Cynthia Rylant
Okay, we’re going to do something a little different with today’s cover reveal. Apparently in 2018 the publishers all put their heads together and said “Cover reveals on blogs are fine, but you know what the people really want? Excerpts from the books themselves.” I can hardly argue. As such I’ve had two such offers to reveal not just the book jackets of titles coming out, but selections from the books as well. How does a blogger decide whether or not to follow up on such an offer? Well, when the magical words, “This is Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Rylant’s first new stand-alone novel in 20 years,” are dangled in front of my nose, I’ll admit I’m intrigued. Then there was this description of her new book Rosetown:
To Flora, Rosetown is full of surprises…many of the best of which happen at the Wing and a Chair Used Book Shop, where she loves to read vintage children’s books after school in the faded purple chair in the window.
But lately, those surprises haven’t been so good. Her dear old dog, Laurence, recently passed away. Not long after, her parents decided to take a breather from their marriage, and now Flora has to move back and forth between their two houses. Plus, she’s just begun fourth grade, and it is so much different than third.
Luckily Flora has two wonderful friends–one new and one old. And with them around to share thoughts and laughs and adventures big and small, life in Rosetown still has many sweet moments–and even some very happy surprises!
As the publisher explained to me, this is a book for kids, “who have graduated from chapter books but aren’t quite ready for a 200-page middle grade novel.”
Eh voila! Well have the cover . . .
As the comment section of this blog will be quick to inform you, the talented author at work here is Lori Richmond. Thanks, Lori!
And we also have a five page excerpt from the beginning of the book. Enjoy it here: Rosetown Excerpt
On sale May 8th. Thanks to Lisa Moraleda for the reveal.
Filed under: Cover Reveal
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Kirkus, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on BlueSky at: @fuse8.bsky.social
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Do you know who the illustrator is? Looks so much like Montpelier, Vt. with our wonderful bookstore, Bear Pond Books, right at the corner of State and Main.
I shall endeavor to find out! More soon.
The illustrator is Lori Richmond! — Author/illustrator of Pax and Blue and yesterday’s new release, Bunny’s Staycation. Her work is amazing, and you can see more of her work like this cover on her Instagram feed: @loririchmonddraws. It’s mind-blowing!
It is Lori Richmond!
Yes!!
Yup, I am the (lucky) illustrator of the jacket of this lovely and charming book. Thanks so much, Carter (and Betsy! and Cynthia!)
Lori, I love this cover for lots of reasons, not the least of which because it looks like Multnomah Village and Annie Blooms bookstore where I am a bookmonger. Cynthia has been a regular though anonymous shopper here. So I’d like to think that the Wings and a Chair Used Bookshop shares a kinship with Annie Blooms. I’m going to take the ARC home and read it tonight, and if there’s a black cat like our Molly Bloom I’ll consider it confirmed.
Congratulations both of you. It looks like a gem.
Oh, I love seeing Lori Richmond’s artistry paired with Rylant’s words! What a great match. Certainly need to make sure illustrators get the credit they deserve on these cover reveals
It’s the amazing and talented (I’m biased, but seriously) author/illustrator Lori Richmond: http://www.loridraws.com. This is her first cover, but her picture books include: BUNNY’S STAYCATION, PAX & BLUE, A HOP IS UP (Kristy Dempsey), and forthcoming SKELLY’S HALLOWEEN (David Martin) and OOPSIE-DO (Tim Kubart)!
Sounds good. Love the cover!!
Such a beautiful cover! Any chance you can actually name the illustrator in the article? Its Lori Richmond. Lori is an author in her own right with several picture books to her name. Learn more at http://www.loridraws.com.
Thanks, Marcie! I commented as well, but it’s awaiting moderation. :/
I agree.. cover is charming! When our daughter was growing up, we systematically read everything Cynthia Rylant wrote, our favorite being The Relatives Came, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Delighted to see there’s even more of her work to enjoy.