Cover Reveal – Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary by Vicki Conrad, ill. David Hohn
For a brief period of time I lived in Portland, Oregon. I loved it. I loved how, even though I had a dead end job, I could see a frigging beautiful mountain in the distance when I came home from work. I loved the outdoor art fair on Saturdays and Powell’s Bookstore (where I read the entire His Dark Materials series) and how easy it was to go on hikes and explore seashores. The one thing Portland didn’t have? A library school. So I packed up my bags and left.
Years later I’d occasionally return, long after I’d become interested in children’s literature. When I learned that Portland, OR was the stomping grounds of none other than Beverly Cleary herself, I was intrigued. Even more so when I got to visit these incredible outdoor sculptures of Ramona, Ribsy, and Henry.
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I haven’t been back to Portland in a while, but I still think about it. Then, the other day, I was contacted by Little Bigfoot Books, an imprint of Sasquatch Books, straight outta Seattle, WA. This August they’re kicking off a picture book biography series called Growing to Greatness starring people from the Pacific Northwest. And what’s their very first title in said series? Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary. The very first picture book biography of the lady to date. Would I be interested in hosting the reveal?
You bet your sweet britches I would.
So here you go, folks. Coming to shelves everywhere on August 13th:
Thanks to Whitney and the folks at Sasquatch Books 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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Consecutive posts with fantastic news! I’ve marked my calendar for this book. I guess I should apologize for asking you yesterday if you had attended the Myth, Magic, and Mystery exhibit. Forgive me, Betsy, for not considering how many years of age separate us!
As a retired lady living full-time in an RV, I’m able to be anywhere/anytime in the USA. I, too, have lived near Portland . . . for several months about six times in the last 15 years. The Columbia River Gorge area (just east of the Portland area) is beauty beyond belief. Powell’s bookstore is the ultimate experience for book lovers. I could go on an on, but obviously would be preaching to the choir! But then you had to mention the MOUNTAINS. It’s worth many sacrifices to look up and see each of those gorgeous peaks every day.