Book Trailer Reveal: King Alice by Matthew Cordell

Yesterday I produced my Fall Prediction listing of 2019 Caldecott and Newbery contenders. But what if one of those books wins the Caldecott or Newbery Award proper? You know what happens in these cases, don’t you? Either the poor winner is so overwhelmed by the question “What’s Next?” from a populace expecting brilliance that they freeze up, or they already have something coming out that isn’t an ideal follow-up to their previous medal-worthy work.

When Matthew Cordell won for Wolf in the Snow last year (and a fine, outstanding, deserving book it was too) he already had some books in the pipeline. After all, he and Dan Santat are duking it out for Most Illustrated Books In a Given Year. And already I’ve seen some books illustrated from Mr. Cordell in 2018. What sets his latest, King Alice, apart is that it’s Matthew’s first book that he’s written AND illustrated since last year’s Wolf.

The happy thing about this book is that while it won’t be winning any Caldecotts (humor has an uphill climb in that department) nor is it a puff piece. In this tale, a little girl on a snow day declares herself king and commands her long-suffering daddy to help her make a book.

To those of you who are parents, a warning. You are about to find a title that speaks deep and abiding truths to you. I have children and when that dreaded snow day raises its ugly head and you have to find a way to fill the hours that stretch before you, even the best parent would feel a twinge of dread. This book sups heartily of that dread and the book trailer, which I am pleased as punch to debut, gives it a catchy soundtrack* as well.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Matthew Cordell for the reveal.

*What? Are you telling me “God Save the Queen” isn’t catchy? That’s treasonous talk, you lot.

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