Hello to everyone; I hope the summer has treated you well and that it wasn’t too terribly hot where you are. It’s been a mix of torrential rain and terrible drought in my neck of the woods, so I’m curious what the autumn will have in store for us. Since last I posted, I have officially launched my book into the world with conversations in Castle Rock and Lone Tree, Colorado, and I love the comments that have been finding me as more people have discovered Using Nursery Rhymes with Today’s Kids: Their Legacy and Evolution. If you want to know more and haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, you can do so here!

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/using-nursery-rhymes-with-todays-kids-9798216188698/

Alternatively, if you’re located in the US and would like to purchase a signed copy of the book from me, please message me separately: marylannireads@gmail.com.

Attention, Authors!

If you aren’t already familiar with the organization United Through Reading, you can explore more on their website (https://unitedthroughreading.org/) or listen in on my conversation with Mandy Disney below, who is the Area Manager/Coordinator in the DC area.

Essentially, the organization connects service members with their families and friends back home through books, and United Through Reading is on the lookout for the 2028 Book for the Military Child. If you think your book should be considered, please see this link for more information: https://unitedthroughreading.org/book-for-the-military-child-2/

World Nursery Rhyme Week 2026

If you’ve been following along with my nursery rhyme journey, it will come as no surprise that I’m making sure you’re aware of World Nursery Rhyme Week! It is a global celebration of English-language nursery rhymes, and anyone can participate. This year’s selections are:

• Hickory Dickory Dock

• Doctor Foster

• Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat

• Row, Row, Row Your Boat

• 12345

If you’d like to learn more or want to participate, check out their website at

https://www.worldnurseryrhymeweek.com/

Other News

(New!) Paid Subscription Option

I am excited to share that the paid option of my Substack is now live (thank you so much to you early adopters!) If you’re looking for some more insight into how I put together reviews, details about my nursery rhyme book, select private book reviews, book lists, or other supplemental content, please consider subscribing. Also, if you have ideas of what you’d like to see in the Restricted Section, please complete this survey!

Subscribe now

…and now, on to the books!

Featured Books

Kids

This unexpected and entertaining story is a delight for reading aloud (or just reading to yourself).

Tweens

This intense, middle grade graphic novel explores the effects of OCD and one child’s experience with it.

Teens

This intriguing YA novel combines familiar fairy tales in a new way, centering around one character who unites them all.

Until next time, book friends!

Over the years I’ve been writing book reviews (over a decade now!) I’ve learned that it is something of an art form all its own. I’m sure everyone approaches this process differently, although there may be some overlap in what I share below. If you’ve ever wondered about the pr…

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It’s here!!

My book, Using Nursery Rhymes with Today’s Kids: Their Legacy and Evolution, is officially available for purchase! Thank you to everyone who has supported the book through pre-orders and beyond. I am honored by your interest in and enthusiasm for my work. In case you haven’t found it yet, check out this link to learn more!

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/using-nursery-rhymes-with-todays-kids-9798216188711/

Marketing and Outreach

So, it turns out that hyping up other people’s books is a bit easier for me than marketing my own, but I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone to do just that. If you want to hear or read more about what went into creating this book, you can explore these links:

• Sunshine and Stories Podcast

• The Children’s Book Review

• Fuse 8 with Betsy Bird

• Publisher Spotlight

• School Librarians United Podcast

Also, if you happen to find yourself in or around the Castle Rock area on Sunday, June 28 from 2-4pm, please consider joining me for an insightful and engaging conversation about nursery rhymes at the Castle Rock branch of Douglas County Libraries (100 S Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO 80104). Registration information can be found here: https://go.dcl.org/event/16227537

If you’re not in the Castle Rock area but would still like me to have a conversation with your students, employees, families, etc., please reach out. I’d love to see how we can work together!

Other News

I had the pleasure of putting together a special article for School Library Journal featuring books that can be used to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence! If you’re looking for fresh titles around this subject for your home or classroom, please explore this list.

https://www.slj.com/story/books-to-display-and-share-as-the-USA-turns-250

Summer Interviews

I’m thrilled by the number of people who have been listening to and engaging with the author and creator interviews on my YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for spending some time with us and for sharing with the students and children in your lives!

I’m currently scheduling for summer and fall 2026 release dates, so if you or someone you know is interested in an interview, please send me a message. (You can either respond to this post or email me directly at marylannireads [at] gmail [dot] com.) Interviews will be taking place between June 8 and July 7, and I host these virtually via Zoom.

Featured Books

Kids

The perfect blend of facts and fun for upper elementary school-aged readers with an interest in the dumbo octopus and graphic novels!

Tweens

This graphic novel update of the classic story is a clever and thought-provoking tale for middle grade readers.

Teens

This one comes with a trigger warning! Told in verse, this novel explores some of the darker sides of life for teens in one small town, blending the supernatural with reality in visceral detail.

One More Thing…

Later this summer, watch for the @MaryLanniReads Restricted Section, a benefit for paid subscribers, where you’ll find reviews that don’t appear on my public YouTube channel, behind-the-scenes details, book lists, and more! This quarterly newsletter will continue to appear, but if you’re looking for more, please consider subscribing. Also, if you have ideas of what you’d like to see in the Restricted Section, please complete this survey!

Until next time. Have a wonderful summer!

I hope this email finds you safe and settling into 2026. The year barreled in like a freight train for me, but I’m making sure to spend some more time on the things I enjoy most (which happens to include a lot of reading, of course).

In case you didn’t know, I live with generalized anxiety, which (for me) means that I often seek out problems before they happen in the hopes of having a plan B (or C, or D) to fall back on. Isn’t it interesting how powerful your brain can be? While this process logically makes me feel like I am helping myself, catastrophic thinking is also enormously fatiguing…and stressful.

One of my friends (who yes, also happens to be a children’s book author), mentioned to me the idea of switching the “what if” thinking that often fills my thoughts to something more optimistic. So, instead of thinking “what if something bad happens,” change that to be “what if it all works out?”

This is at once something that my logical brain can get excited about while my anxious brain continues to fret about what happens if it focuses on the potential for good instead of the potential for disaster. But I’m willing to give it a try.

As has been discussed in many of my author interviews, the overarching question of “what if” often leads to stories that transport readers outside of their everyday lives. It leads both to revelations characters make as they progress in their journeys and to wonderings about how the world might react to different stimuli, ultimately creating a landscape that is immersive and memorable.

Our brains are extremely powerful, as is evidenced for me in part by the fact that I do have contingency plans for multiple scenarios that may or may not actually come to fruition. But what if we turn our mind from negative thinking to a more positive approach? How might that change the ultimate outcome as well as our feelings in the present moment? It’s something I’m deciding to embrace and attempt, despite feeling nervous about the idea… I’ll let you know how it goes.

One of the reasons I like reading books for youth is that more stories are focusing on the realities of mental health challenges, and these books make me feel less alone. Also, if we let them, these stories can help us take those “what if” thoughts in entirely new directions.

By the way, I’m inching closer to 500 subscribers on my @MaryLanniReads YouTube channel, and I’d love it if you would consider subscribing yourself and/or sharing with anyone you think might be interested. Thank you in advance for your support!

Subscribe to @MaryLanniReads on YouTube

Book News

I had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Compton from the Colorado State Library regarding my book and nursery rhymes! The podcast link is here if you’re interested in checking it out:

https://sunshineandstories.buzzsprout.com/2388732/episodes/18549946-ep-209-nursery-rhymes-and-reasons

Publication date is still set for May, and I’m working on the marketing piece… It’s different being on this side of things, and I’m trying to embrace positive thinking even if/when the stumbling blocks arise.

More Podcast Listening Options!

Many of you have found me on Spotify, but I’m happy to share you can now also find me at the platforms below, as well! Season 2 of Interview Tuesdays launched on February 24, and I can’t wait for you to check it out. New episodes land every week!

Spotify:

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c55873d-a9a9-4ade-81fc-5b5dbcb518fc/interview-tuesdays

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/312055745/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/interview-tuesdays/4dcfe1eb-8b9f-481a-8edc-a59f354d08ac

Author Interviews

Speaking of my podcast, if you are an author and/or illustrator who would like to request an interview, now is the time! I’m filling out my 2026 interview list, and I’d love to host you. Please reply to this message if you are interested!

Featured Books

As always, fantastic books have hit the shelves in the past few months, and I’m delighted to share a few with you here. What are some of your favorites that I might have missed?

Kids

This poetic, informational picture book paints crows in a beautiful and unexpected new light.

Tweens

This raw and honest exploration of moving through grief is a standout for readers of all ages.

Teens

This book has appeal both for mature YA readers and for adults. It’s especially well-suited to fans of Arthurian legend and time travel!

And that’s all for this time!

Wishing you all the best for 2026. I’ll be back in your inbox in May, but feel free to message or check in before that if you’d like!

I feel like I say this every year, but 2025 has truly flown by. As I have been reflecting on where I was a year ago and where I am now, however, I am floored by the things that have happened this year. From wrapping up my book, to starting an author interview podcast, to connecting with authors, publishers, and publicists from around the world, this has been a big year!

And as the calendar prepares to turn one more time, I find that this time of year is often when I take a look ahead and see where I might want the road to take me in 2026. While I have some ideas in the back of my mind, I’m trying to be intentional about being open to whatever the universe throws my way. After all, in the timeless words of Forrest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” (I hope mine has orange filling!)

Read on for more specific updates, and if you haven’t already, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and sharing with others. It really means a lot to have your support, and maybe you’ll find a next favorite read for you or a young person in your life!

(You can also now find me on BlueSky: @marylannireads.bsky.social)

Subscribe to @MaryLanniReads on YouTube

Book News

Thank you to all of you who have asked about my book! Indexing is complete and endorsements have been coming back. We’re on track for release in the spring, and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product. Every time I re-read passages of it, I find myself pleasantly impressed (which is good!)

I’m over the moon about the early feedback I’ve been receiving, and I have a lot of empathy for all the authors putting books out into the world. It’s intimidating sharing your internal thoughts and your hard work and not knowing what the response will be. And the process of getting a book out into the hands of readers is no small feat; it is a daunting task that relies on the support of countless people. I am so grateful to everyone who has come along with me on this journey.

If you’re interested in taking a look at the book, please feel free to use this discount code!

Presentations and Conferences

The annual Colorado-based Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Jamboree took place in early October (on my birthday!), and I had the enormous pleasure of presenting alongside Kaz Windness and Heather Brockman-Lee, the creative team behind When You Love a Book. Not only was our presentation a success, but it was fantastic getting to meet two wonderful humans in a setting that celebrates books and learning.

I was also fortunate to attend the NCTE conference in Denver in November, where I got to connect with authors, English teachers, and librarians from around the country. It was overwhelming and intense, but I learned so much! I also got to see my editor in real life, which is a special treat as this second book is getting ready to launch.

Podcast and Author Interviews

To date, I have hosted 46 author interviews (you can find them on YouTube right now, or on Spotify as they drop on Tuesdays, if you can be patient). If you had told me a year ago that I would be doing this regularly, I am not sure I would have believed you! It’s been a simmering dream in the back of my mind for a couple of years, and I am so excited to see these interviews coming to life. If you are a parent, teacher, librarian, or book enthusiast, please give these conversations a listen (and subscribe!) You can also share them with your students to whet their appetites for author visits you may be able to host, yourselves.

If you are an author and/or illustrator who would like to request an interview, now is the time! I’m filling out my 2026 interview list, and I’d love to host you. Please reply to this message if you are interested!

One particular highlight was my conversation with Shugri Salh, where we discuss her upcoming picture book Suuban’s First Day and Shugri’s childhood in a nomadic community in Somalia:

School Library Journal Announcements

In October, I moderated an author panel for School Library Journal’s Day of Dialog, which was enlightening (and intimidating)! Three authors: Rebecca E. F. Barone, Kathy Kacer, and Jerry Faivish joined me to talk about their upcoming books for young people (middle grade and YA) that pertain to different elements of World War II and the Holocaust.

While I cannot share that recording, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rebecca and Kathy separately, and you can hear their thoughts in those conversations on my YouTube channel, if you wish (Kathy’s will be up closer to her March 2026 release date).

I was also invited to participate in the annual Best of Nonfiction Picture Books committee with School Library Journal for the third time, which was an honor. So many wonderful picture books came out this year, and it was difficult to choose which to include! The nonfiction link is shared here, but make sure to check out the other categories, too.

https://www.slj.com/story/best-nonfiction-elementary-books-2025-slj-best-books

Featured Books

As always, fantastic books have hit the shelves in the past few months, and I’m delighted to share a few with you here. What are some of your favorites that I might have missed?

Kids

Find yourself transported to an Australian forest that has been decimated by wildfire. Can two survivors find hope once more?

Tweens

This early middle grade, choose your own adventure-type graphic novel explores some of the common and challenging aspects of friendship in a charming and honest way.

Teens

Though it is past Halloween now, this is a delightfully spooky story that can be enjoyed anytime of year.

And that’s all for this time!

Wishing you all the best for the holiday season and into the new year. I’ll be back in your inbox in February, but feel free to message or check in before that if you’d like!

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Giveaway!

Alda P. Dobbs has graciously offered a signed copy of her newest book, The Giving Flower, to one lucky subscriber. To enter, you need to (1) be subscribed to my Substack and (2) complete this Google Form. Winners will be chosen at random and contacted on September 15.

Updates from Me

Book update

I’m happy to report that I have been hard at work addressing edits and suggestions from my publishing team this summer. It’s exciting to be moving into the latter part of the process!

There is still more to come in indexing, formatting, getting endorsements, and finalizing everything, but we’re definitely getting closer.

It’s officially listed on Amazon, though, so it’s feeling more real. You can check it out here, if you’d like.

More to come!

SLJ Day of Dialog

I’m pleased to share that I’ll be moderating an author panel at the SLJ Day of Dialog on October 9. If you like hearing about upcoming books and listening to what authors have to say, give this free event a look: https://www.slj.com/event/school-library-journal-day-of-dialog-fall-2025

Podcast Launch

I have officially launched a podcast on Spotify! It’s called Interview Tuesdays, and it features the audio component of the creator interviews I also share on YouTube. Please follow and share!

Find me on BlueSky!

I’ve decided to rejoin the world of social media via BlueSky to share book-related news and updates. Follow me at @marylannireads.bsky.social‬ if you want to see me there!

Featured Books

Check out these three featured titles from the past few months. I hope you find your next great read!

And remember that my YouTube channel is a good place to hear more about books (both new and not-so-new). Subscribes and shares really help, and I appreciate you connecting more readers with me!

Kids

Tweens

Teens

Thanks for reading to the end! I hope you found something exciting in this message, whether its a new book to share with a friend or your next podcast listen. Please feel free to connect with questions or comments, and thank you for sharing this Substack with friends, as well.

Until next time!

Updates from Me

As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, I recently submitted a manuscript for a nonfiction title I’ve been intensively working on for the last year or so. I’m pleased to share that the title and cover art have been finalized! You are among the first to see the cover reveal.

This book dives into the history of many of the nursery rhymes that are often sung in English-language classrooms and how these songs fit into the context of a contemporary Storytime setting. The book is intended for anyone who works with children between the ages of birth and five. While it is specifically geared towards educators and librarians, caregivers of all kinds will find something useful within the pages of the book. Questions? Please ask!

Giveaway!

With summer comes the opportunity to explore great new reads! Loon Cove Summer by Donna Galanti is one of those great summer reads, and two lucky subscribers can get their own print copy.

To qualify, you must:

1. Be a subscriber to , and

2. Comment on this month’s edition with the title of a book you're most excited to read this summer.

Winners will be selected at random on June 15, 2025 and will be notified shortly thereafter. US addresses only.

Not sure if this book is for you? Check out my video review below.

Featured Books

Kids

So-Hee and Lowy tells the story of an unconventional friendship that brings a community together. Created by the Geisel-winning duo that wrote the This is (Not) Mine series, this is the first of their stories to feature a human protagonist.

Tweens

Candle Island by Lauren Wolk is a beautiful examination of one girl’s journey through grief after the unexpected loss of her father. Best for confident middle grade readers (and up!)

Teens

If you enjoy fairy tale re-imaginings, check out this debut title Afia and the Land of Wonders. Set in West Africa, this story uses captivating illustrations alongside the narrative to build a robust imaginative experience. Best for mature readers due to some intense scenes.

Author Interviews!

I have had the pleasure of interviewing several authors recently, and we’ve had delightful discussions about their work, children’s literature, and writing in general. All are kid-friendly and give some great insights into the thought that goes into creating literature for youth. See them all here!

Until next time, and I hope you all have a lovely summer.

Happy Spring to everyone!

I’m writing with exciting news. I have recently started hosting author interviews, and with a few available now on my YouTube channel, I thought it was time to share these more widely.

These conversations are guided by a set of questions that I put together to create a similar framework from one author to the next. Along the way, I expand upon answers to get more detail specific to that author and their books.

At about 20 minutes each, it is my hope that these interviews are long enough to be intriguing while being digestible for your busy schedules.

Scroll down for links to the inaugural videos, and keep an eye out for more at:

https://www.maryrlanni.com/author-interviews

Anna Kang welcomes her newest picture book So-hee and Lowy to the world on April 22.

Johan Ingler joins us from Sweden to share Frankie and Chair, a middle grade story that investigates friendship and grief in a unique and memorable way.

Fleur Bradley talks mystery writing and some of her recently published titles, including the fan favorite Midnight at the Barclay Hotel.

Please feel welcome to share any feedback or ideas you might have. And I’d love it if you would consider sharing this message with any interested friends or family.

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As always, thank you for your support and encouragement. I’m excited to hear your thoughts!

Until next time,

Mary

I have decided to step back into my newsletter to update you all on things going on in my world. Why now? Because I have recently submitted a manuscript of a nonfiction book and have some brain space to focus on all the other things I like to do. :) (More on my book to come!)

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Quarterly Emails

These emails won’t be super long; they are meant to be an opportunity for me to share some of the best books I’ve read in the past couple of months as well as updates about projects I have in the works.

2. Book Reviews

If you are (or know) a kid, tween, or teen who might be looking for their next read, I’ll highlight some awesome titles in each newsletter (like the middle grade novel in verse Away by Megan E. Freeman below). Librarians, parents, educators, community members, and anyone interested in books for kids will find something wonderful to share!

3. Project Updates

I’ll also use this newsletter to let you know about upcoming presentations, publications, and more as things begin to progress.

Subscribe and Share

Thank you for welcoming me into your inbox a few times a year. It really means a lot!

And if you know someone who might also be interested in receiving updates from me, please forward this email to them. Thank you for your support!

Subscribe now