Congratulations to @annalazowski.bsky.social on the sale of her next #picturebook, LET ME TELL YOU A STORY, which celebrates author Robert Munsch's generations-long legacy and will be illustrated by Michael Martchenko, Munsch's longtime illustrator.
Anna Lazowski
@annalazowski.bsky.social
Author Upcoming: LET ME TELL YOU A STORY: THE INCREDIBLE IMAGINATION OF ROBERT MUNSCH (2027) Out now: I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP, DARK CLOUD, T. REXES CAN'T TIE THEIR SHOES Rep: @jenniferunter https://www.annalazowskibooks.com
BOOK NEWS!!! My next picture book is a tribute to beloved children's author Robert Munsch! It's being illustrated by the incredible Michael Martchenko, known for creating so many of Munsch's most memorable characters. Huge thanks to everyone at Annick Press, the Munsch family and my wonderful agent.
“Rather than being told about a child experiencing grief, readers are invited to experience it alongside them. We see the world through the child's eyes, sharing their confusion, hope, imagination, and determination.” @jennicadraws.bsky.social @kidscanpress.bsky.social Read more:
Story Sparks & Surprises with Anna Lazowski, Author of I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP
Sometimes children find their own language for grief. In I Built a Rocket Ship, that language takes the shape of a backyard project, as one child quietly ...
open-book.ca
What’s your favorite grief PB? Check out I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP by @annalazowski.bsky.social & @jennicadraws.bsky.social ***Like/share to win the book or a critique*** Read my interview with Anna at www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/intervi... #picturebooks #kidlit #grief #bookstagram #BeAnAmbassador
![The image discusses children’s literature and promotes Anna Lazowski and Jennica Lounsbury’s picture book I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP, an illustrated children’s book about a child experiencing grief. Against a dark blue background speckled in white, the title reads: “Grief in Kidlit.” Below the title to the right is a large image of the cover of the picture book I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP, written by Anna Lazowski and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury. To the left of the book are 3 reviews, each with the reviewer’s icon. The top starred review from School Library Journal says: “an outstanding book on loss and grief…a must for all children’s collections.” The middle starred review from Kirkus says: “a thoughtful, considered look at loss that reaches for the stars.” The bottom review from Bulletin says: “[t]he tone is quiet, almost understated—this is a profound grief but not, at least at the moment, a stormy one.” Below the reviews at the bottom left is a quote from Anna that reads: "Often, when we talk about death and loss with kids, there’s a vague explanation offered…The idea of a child building a rocket ship to help them reach the person they’ve lost is the type of thing that would make perfect sense to a kid processing a deep sense of grief for the first time. ~Anna Lazowski." Around the graphic are 3 quilted stars and a quilted moon in shades of blue jeans and white. At the bottom right is “Exclusive Interview” with an arrow pointing to: https://www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/interview-anna-lazowski](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:k2mhubwq7pytepi5jhanjkto/bafkreieqk6ip2m5jqbhcd4ifisbritwuxiunzhi5bcgrxbwgttiuwjo2fy)
Check out my new post on Instagram @BooksBW about I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP by @annalazowski.bsky.social and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury about a young girl grieving the loss of her mother and doing things to remember her. So tender and thoughtful. #kidlit #newbook #booksky #librarian #counselor
Explore the moon (and emotions) in all sorts of way, fictional and nonfictional, real and imaginary! @annalazowski.bsky.social @jennicadraws.bsky.social kidsbookaday.com/2026/06/18/f...
Fly me to the moon
Explore the Far Side of the Moon by Jenny Jacoby with consultant Dr. Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Lea Woo (Thames and Hudson, 64 pages, grades 2-6). Readers are invited on a mission to the far sid…
kidsbookaday.com
Blast off!! It's launch day for I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP! Huge thanks to our amazing editor Kathleen Keenan, all at Kids Can Press and @jennicadraws.bsky.social who so delicately and beautifully brought this story to life. Pick up a copy wherever you buy your books! kidscanpress.com/product/i-bu...
Just ONE more day until I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP, illustrated by @jennicadraws.bsky.social, launches onto store shelves everywhere! If you're planning to pick up a copy, please pre-order now or grab one this week from wherever you buy your books!🚀
A lovely feature on my new book, I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP, beautifully illustrated by the very talented, @jennicadraws.bsky.social. Out June 2nd! 🚀 www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...
Winnipeg author explores a child’s grief in latest picture book
In the latest picture book from Winnipeg author Anna Lazowski, a child who has lost a loved one heads out to the backyard to build a rocket ship out of cardboard, tape and tinfoil.
winnipegfreepress.com
"Most families hope to never need a book like I Built a Rocket Ship. It’s not one you take to a baby shower, or buy for a pregnant colleague. Some books have a very specific audience and this is one of those books." Pre-order I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP now, it launches in 8 days! #grief
Losing a loved one is hard. Explaining it to a kid is even harder. — Anna Lazowski
I wrote the first draft of I Built a Rocket Ship in November of 2021. We’d all been through COVID lockdowns, daily hospitalization and death counts, and the world was feeling very, very dark. I w...
annalazowskibooks.com
Absolutely thrilled to get a starred review from School Library Journal for I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP, which is coming out June 2! I particularly liked this quote from the review: "...perfectly captures the way children create straightforward solutions in the face of unsolvable problems."
Great to see my book beauties on display at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Counting down until June 2 when I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP hits shelves! 🚀
Nice to see I BUILT A ROCKET SHIP included in this roundup of books helping kids cope with grief from @publisherswkly.bsky.social. @kidscanpress.bsky.social www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Picture Books for Helping Kids Cope with Grief
These authors use age-appropriate narratives to present different ways children may experience loss and to guide them through the healing process.
publishersweekly.com
Beyond thrilled that my upcoming picture book with @jennicadraws.bsky.social earned a starred review from Kirkus! Out June 2, but available for pre-order at your fave indie bookshop now!
#DecRecs 15: Dark Cloud by Anna Lazowski, illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee. Abigail has a dark cloud. It follows her everywhere. It can be a ball of worries, a swirl of fog or a long shadow. But it’s always with her. Gradually she learns how to manage it. This is a brilliant book about depression.
Dark Cloud
Abigail has a dark cloud. It follows her everywhere. It can be a ball of worries, a swirl of fog or a long shadow. But it’s always with her, getting in the way of things. Her dark cloud makes…
bertsbooks.co.uk
Big feelings? Let’s talk about them. For #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we’ve put together a book list to help kids explore emotions, anxiety & confidence through stories. 📘 More than Words, Stress Less + more: buff.ly/UoNUJkb
📚✨ Looking ahead to next year? I’m sharing the 2026 picture books I’m most excited to read—from heartfelt debuts to laugh-out-loud stories from my favourite authors. These new books for kids are SO charming and not to be missed! ✨📚 #BookSky #KidLit thecontentedreader.ca/2026-picture...
Capturing how depression can look and feel for kids requires a careful blend of text and imagery. 2 years later, I'm still in awe of how beautifully this book came together. @pennynl.bsky.social @kidscanpress.bsky.social
Happy to see Dark Cloud by me and @pennynl.bsky.social included in this booklist from Publishers Weekly. ☁️
Tough Topics for Kids - Mental Health
Publishers Weekly is the international news website of book publishing and bookselling including business news, reviews, bestseller lists, commentaries and more.
publishersweekly.com
Got to see the cover of Dark Cloud in Turkish and unlocked a new author milestone!
Abigail had a flutter of butterflies But so did someone else. He sat beside her on the bench and didn't have to say a word. A lot of big feelings in the world today. Felt like a good time to share this from DARK CLOUD. Words by me, art by @pennynl.bsky.social.
Abigail had a dark cloud One day, it just appeared The opening lines of DARK CLOUD, by me and Penny Neville-Lee, describing the moment depression becomes part of Abigail's life. October 10th is World Mental Health Day, the perfect day to make sure everyone can see themselves in the books they read.
Visited the legendary Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis to sign copies of DARK CLOUD and T. REXES CAN’T TIE THEIR SHOES. Always happy to visit incredible indie bookstores when I’m on the road. 🦖👟☁️❤️
A lovely image by @pennynl.bsky.social that captures the bond between Abigail and her dad in DARK CLOUD. #kidlit #fathersday
When your husband is an elementary school teacher and I Love to Read month rolls around… Such a nice surprise to see this Dark Cloud inspired door!
If you’re a picture book author, do you include illustration notes? Check out my take, and which ones illustrator @pennynl.bsky.social used and set aside in DARK CLOUD. www.annalazowskibooks.com/blog/illustr...
Illustration notes: Should you note or not? — Anna Lazowski
annalazowskibooks.com
Jumping on the dresses as book covers trend thanks to Natalie Portman at the Golden Globes! Clearly inspired by @pennynl.bsky.social’s Dark Cloud cover!
Another book for little ones dealing with big emotions is headed for bookshelves in 2026!
When your husband’s an elementary school teacher, your books get prime placement!
Hi #kidlitchat, I’m a PB author in 🇨🇦. My latest, DARK CLOUD, illustrated by @pennynl.bsky.social came out in May. Looking forward to meeting more of you here!