Season's Greetings
...And Seasonal Books
Hello!
I’m sitting here in the glow of my Christmas tree lights, soothing music playing, Bella taking a break from her zooming through the apartment (not bad for a possibly-18-year-old kitty!) to curl up and purr in my lap, and wondering how it’s December already.
My month is uncharacteristically unscheduled, publishing is grinding to its seasonal halt, and I’m looking forward to taking time to breathe and think about the new year.
But before that, I have a little nice news to share, and some reminders of my holiday books, in case you have kids on your gift list.
A Starred Review for Tiny Garden!
Tiny Garden, illustrated by Jax Chow, doesn’t publish til March 2026, so I was thrilled (and relieved) that Kirkus’s review of the book came out in October, and that the book was awarded a star!
The review reads in part, “Underwood’s sweet story valorizes ‘little things’ and the true gardener’s intoxication with the earth. Chow’s illustrations are brilliant…A tiny delight that celebrates patience, Zen-like focus, and appreciation for the small things.”
As many of you know, the book was unexpected fruit from the garden I planted during the early days of the pandemic, and I’m so looking forward to it being out in the world. I greatly appreciate your pre-orders, which help the book find its way.
Holiday Titles
I have three holiday titles that I’d love for you to keep in mind if you’re shopping for kids this month:
A Mouse Family Christmas is about a mouse family that helps an older man celebrate Christmas when a snowstorm keeps the man’s family from joining him. I was thinking of my own dear dad, alone during the pandemic Christmas, when I wrote it, so it meant a lot to me to learn that the illustrator, Leah Hong, used her own father as the model for the human character.
The Christmas Quiet Book, illustrated by Renata Liwska, celebrates the various types of quiet one finds during the holidays. Perhaps my favorite is “Luminaria quiet,” inspired by one of the blocks in my hometown that was lined with the magical glow of candles inside sand-filled bags every Christmas Eve.
And of course I can’t forget Here Comes Santa Cat, illustrated by Claudia Rueda, in which our slightly grumpy but lovable hero (inspired by, ahem, a certain cat of my acquaintance) realizes that there might be a teensy problem with their behavior and its impact on presents they might receive. But they learn that even a grudgingly-performed good deed can be enough for the generous Santa Claus. (Whew.)
It is likely safe to say that this year has not been a banner one for most of the creators and small businesses you know and love. I hope you’ll keep your local artists, writers, theater companies, musical groups, and stores (especially independent bookstores!) in mind this season; I know we’d all appreciate it.
Wishing you and yours the warmest and happiest of holidays!
Best,
Deborah
I was just thinking about your dirt-to-paradise garden the other day. Watching it grow over the years was (and, still is) such a treat! There HAD to be a book! Happy holidays to you, Deborah!
Thank you for writing about Tiny Garden. I can’t wait to get the book. Hello to Bella. My 3 cats are only 15, so the best to you. The dog is 13 and me well I’m an oldster too, so the mouse book is a must too. Thanks for the cheer. Pamela