Photo credit: www.publishersweekly.com
Familiar figures from three popular middle-grade stories are set to make their debut in the world of picture books. Katherine Applegate is set to release Odder: An Otter’s Story, featuring illustrations by Charles Santoso, on April 29. This work revisits her spirited aquatic protagonist. On May 20, readers will encounter Oliver, the neurodiverse fourth grader first introduced in Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, in a new picture book titled Wish in a Tree, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Lastly, Peter Brown is bringing back his beloved character, the Wild Robot, in The Wild Robot on the Island, set to be published by Little, Brown on June 24.
Odder Makes a New Splash
Katherine Applegate’s 2022 narrative, Odder, tells the story of a young otter whose peaceful life is upended by a confrontation with a great white shark. The story draws inspiration from a real program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium that helps orphaned otter pups adjust by pairing them with surrogate mothers. The transition from novel to picture book format came about after a librarian’s suggestion sparked Applegate’s vision for an adaptation.
Following the success of her Newbery Medal-winning book, The One and Only Ivan, Applegate was encouraged by a retired librarian, Deborah Armstrong, to consider a picture book version of Odder for schools engaged in One Book, One School initiatives. “When I shared the idea with my editor, Liz Szabla, she readily agreed,” Applegate recalled, expressing her appreciation for the librarian’s role in inspiring the project.
Applegate found the adaptation to be relatively straightforward due to the novel’s free-verse structure, which allowed for a natural condensing of the story. She praised Santoso, who illustrated both the original novel and several of her other works, for his ability to breathe life into her words through illustrations. “Collaborating with an illustrator like Charles allows you to focus on the essence of the story while he adds emotion and humor through his art,” Applegate reflected.
The Importance of Being Oliver
Oliver, a character fueled by an imaginative mind, struggles to concentrate in school and often feels out of place. First introduced in Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, which boasts over 2.2 million copies in circulation, Oliver’s journey continues in the upcoming picture book Wish in a Tree, targeting readers aged six and up. This story is a testament to celebrating individualism and creativity.
Hunt drew on her own experiences as a child with ADD, illustrating how those challenges shaped both her life and her writing. She recounted a pivotal sixth-grade moment when a compassionate teacher encouraged her, transforming her struggles into the motivation for becoming an educator and, eventually, a writer. “What I once perceived as a hindrance has become a gift that allows me to inspire young readers,” Hunt said.
Her sensitivity to her characters’ emotions resonates with readers, often eliciting strong reactions. “I feel deeply connected to Oliver’s wish to be like everyone else, which brought me to tears,” she admitted. “It’s crucial for us to remind children that they should embrace their uniqueness, as shown in Wish in a Tree: ‘The tree is most beautiful when all the leaves are not the same.’”
Roz the Robot Rolls into Picture-Book Role
In Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot, Roz, who washes ashore on a deserted island, embarks on a journey of adaptation and growth, learning survival skills from the animals that inhabit her new home. Following the success of two sequels, Brown’s robot saga has sold five million copies globally. A film adaptation by DreamWorks Animation, released in 2024, has further fueled interest in the series.
On June 24, Brown will present The Wild Robot on the Island, aimed at introducing Roz’s story through beautiful illustrations. “The transition from a novel to a picture book proved to be more manageable than expected,” Brown shared. However, he faced challenges in distilling details while maintaining the emotional depth and balance between text and visuals. His goal was to create a book that would resonate with both new readers and those familiar with Roz’s adventures.
Brown expressed gratitude for the positive reception of his work. “It’s exhilarating to see a simple idea grow into a rich narrative that connects with so many,” he noted, emphasizing the joy of bringing Roz’s adventures to a wider audience through both novels and picture books.
Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate, illus. by Charles Santoso. Feiwel and Friends, $18.99, Apr. 29 ISBN 978-1-250-32359-0
Wish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, illus. by Nancy Carpenter. Penguin/Paulsen, $18.99, May 20 ISBN 978-1-5247-3968-3
The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown. Little, Brown, $19.99, June 24 ISBN 978-0-316-66946-7
Source
www.publishersweekly.com