Title I School Fundraiser Book Drive

Hello, friends! If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already seen this call out. So first of all, a HUGE thank you to those who have already sent books. I am so very grateful and will be sending you each a personalized thank you as well. I am blown away with the response so far. This past week, I was informed that the school doesn't have enough basket coordinators volunteered for the event, and asked me if I could do some additional baskets. So I'm in need of some additional donations. See all the details below and thank you SO much for your consideration!

My children's (Title I) school hosts a silent auction each year with 100% of the proceeds going back to the teachers. (For privacy and safety, I am not stating publicly which school this is, and I am grateful for your understanding. Know that I will post pictures of the baskets at the event, and this really is a true thing).

Each teacher is required to provide a basket. I am working with our librarian (and now another couple teachers) to create book baskets. Our hope is that the kids who can't generally afford books will be able to buy a large set of books for the price of 1. Many of the kids at our school do not have any sort of home library. So this is an opportunity for them to be able to get some wonderful books at home.

PLUS, 100% of the proceeds go back to the school. Funding in AZ has been so low that our teachers are in great need. They've come to our PTO asking for new books, shelves to replace broken ones, basic supplies, instruments for kids who want to take orchestra but can't afford the rentals, and more. The PTO is helping everywhere we can, but our funds are dwindling.

This money will go directly to teachers specifically to help the students. And I LOVE the idea of helping kiddos start their own at-home libraries, so I came up with the idea of book baskets. I will be making book caddies for each set of books and filling them with as many books as possible.

I'm also looking for handmade bookmarks, original art, library bags, and anything else reading/book related.

If you are able to help, please send donations to:

Kailei Pew

PO Box 45115

Phoenix, AZ 85064

or if sending via Amazon/UPS/or FedEx:

Kailei Pew

5021 N. 20th #45115

Phoenix, AZ 85064

This is an elementary school, so I am looking for Picture book, early reader, chapter books, and middle grade donations. We've received quite a few PBs, so we especially need CB and MG. Though I'll always love to see more PB too!!

And since I've had some people ask for suggestions on what to send, some books that I would love to see are:

Amari and the Night Brothers series (received)

Diary of an Ice Princess series (received)

Front Desk series

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Any early or MG graphic novels

The Marvellers

Nigel and the Moon

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners/Eyes that Speak to the Stars

Creepy Carrots series

Chez Bob

Watercress

Unspeakable

Not Quite Narwhal/ Perfectly Pegasus

But truly, I am so very grateful for ANY books that you love and want to share.

I need all donations received by October 20th, please.

Thank you SO much for the consideration. I am so grateful for this community and all of your love and support!

PB23Bunch Features: Omar Abed

Hello, friends! Can you believe that we're closing out the month of September? This year has really blown by quickly for me. I hope that you're all enjoying lovely fall weather, eating all things pumpkin and apple, and gearing up for spooky season!

Another month means another PB23Bunch Feature! I'm super excited to be highlighting Omar Abed today. It's been so fun to get to know Omar through our debut group and I know you're going to love this interview. So let's jump right in.

Kailei: Hi, Omar! And welcome. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing journey?

Omar: Hello!

I didn’t realize it at the time, but my writing journey started in middle school, when I discovered my love for poetry through Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recital competition. I did okay at the time, but nothing spectacular. In high school, I started writing my own spoken-word poetry. At the time, I was still shy about my interest in poetry, but to me, it felt more like music and rap. The words flowed, and helped me cope with some tough emotions and situations at the time. Still, my writing was private, for my eyes only.

I continued to write poetry through college, as an outlet for my technical engineering coursework. I needed something creative to offset the numbers and formulas. When I was in grade school, I loved the strict rules of math and science - how there was always a correct answer to find. English seemed too subjective and opinionated. But as I immersed myself in engineering, I craved a balance, and found myself drawn more toward writing.

Still, I graduated, got a job in software. But with no end in sight for work, my creative outlet was craving some public attention. I started to post some of my spoken word poetry online. One comment stuck with me. It was from a librarian, a friend of a friend, who said “If this was reworked a bit, it would make a great children’s story.”

From there, I saw my poetry in a new light. I self-published a book as a gift to my wife, which taught me about the publishing process… and quickly taught me that self-publishing was not right for me. I searched for an agent, sending over 300 personalized emails and narrowly avoiding giving up completely. Finally, Connor Eck at Lucinda Literary took a chance on me, and I couldn’t be more grateful. It felt like the end of a long road, but really it was just a brand new beginning.

So, that’s my writing journey. (So far!)

If I’m not writing books, I’m probably writing code. I’ve been a software engineer / web developer for nearly 10 years. When I’m not writing, I’m probably running around with my 2-year-old son, playing basketball, or watching movies with my wife.

Kailei: I love that so much, Omar! That desire for balance and the need to be creative is something that I think will resonate with a lot of people. I also think your experience with self publishing is so interesting. I am really impressed with people who can do that because it seems like such a daunting task to me. So now that you're on the traditional publishing route, what inspired your debut book?

Omar: Most of my children’s books are written in rhyme. It’s just my default mode. I love the lyrical rhythms and how it can feel almost musical.

But sometimes, rhyme isn’t what’s best for a story. And many editors prefer to avoid rhyme. It has to be precise, so that it flows the same for every reader.

Well, I was trying to sell my first manuscript (which rhymed) and got lots of critical feedback. Editors said things like “The rhyme isn’t enhancing the story for me” or “I enjoy the plot, but try it without the rhyme.”

I struggled to write poetically without rhyming. Everything that came to mind rhymed… or almost rhymed, but not quite. That’s where THE BOOK THAT ALMOST RHYMED was born. I wanted a chance to indulge the side of me that couldn’t force everything to rhyme, while also giving into my rhyming tendencies.

Kailei: Every time I hear you talk about your book, I can't help but smile. It really sounds like so much fun and I can't wait to read it! What message would you like for your readers to walk away with?

Omar: Two things:

1. I would love to inspire readers to think creatively about books and their structures.

2. I hope my story reminds us to be patient with the ones who look up to us. Whether they’re siblings, children, or friends, they are learning from us. We should be proud of that fact, and carry that honor with grace, even when we have to stretch our patience more than we think is possible.

Kailei: That is beautiful, Omar. So, when does your debut hit shelves?

Omar: Early 2024

Kailei: Can't wait! Before I let you go, where can we follow you online?

Omar:

• OmarAbed.com

• Twitter (@OmarAbedWrites)

• Facebook (@OmarAbedWrites)

• Instagram (@OmarAbedWrites)

• GoodReadsOmar Abed

If you’d like to check out my self-published book, YOU, ME, AND A TREE, you can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.

Kailei: This has all been wonderful, Omar. Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your story! I can't wait to see where this journey takes you.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

Omar is generously offering one lucky reader their choice of a PB MS critique or a Query Critique. To enter:

1. Follow Omar on Twitter

2. Follow PB23Bunch on Twitter

3. Retweet THIS tweet

For bonus entries:

1. Tag a friend in THIS tweet

2. Subscribe to this blog and comment below

Winner will be announce on Twitter. Thank you all for your support!

About Omar Abed

Omar Abed is a Palestinian-American writer of picture books and computer code. He hopes his writing brings adults and children together in ways that only a shared story can. In his spare time, Omar enjoys running around with his two-year-old son, playing basketball, and watching movies with his wife. He's based in Philadelphia, PA and Northern Virginia.

https://www.omarabed.com/

About PB23Bunch

The PB23Bunch is a diverse group of 12 authors and illustrators with Picture Books debuting in 2023. We cannot wait to get our books in your hands!!

A Costume for Charly

Thank you to C.K. Malone and Beaming Books for sending me a copy of A Costume for Charly, written by C.K. Malone and illustrated by Alejandra Barajas. I have had the pleasure of connecting with C.K. on a number of occasions and they are one of the most kind people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I am so happy for them on the recent release of their debut book, A Costume for Charly.

I have to say that this is such a wonderful book. As Charly searches for a costume that showcases both halves of their identity, they worry that nothing will be quite right. Some costumes don't feel true to their girl side and others don't feel true to their boy side. Things feel hopeless until they realize they can create the perfect costume that is true to both parts of who they are and 100% Charly. I love how empowered Charly felt by being true to themself and proud of who they are.

The book is really well written and I'm so excited to see what C.K does next. I know I will be their fan for years to come. And the illustrations are wonderful. Alejandra Barajas uses such beautiful colors and each illustration really drew me in. I feel like she really captured Charly's emotions so well through each image.

Finally, I want to note just how important this book is. I'm thrilled for both the nonbinary kids who will see themselves in this book and for all kids who will learn the importance of respecting others, including using proper pronouns.

This is not only a great Halloween read, but a wonderful book year round.