Blog Tour -- Laura Lacamara's Floating on Mama's Song

Laura Lacámara and I are members of the fabulous SCBWI Westside Illustrators Schmooze. (Yes, my friend is multi-talented – an author AND an illustrator!) Last autumn we both spoke on an SCBWI panel, about what then seemed to be the far-off release of our first picture books – which we each wrote for, and dedicated to, our mothers. On Wednesday Laura’s first book, Floating on Mama’s Song – “a lyrical, uplifting tale” and “a magical celebration of family, music, and happiness” illustrated with the “stunning art” of Yuyi Morales – will be released by Harper Collins. I’m so pleased to be kicking off Laura and Yuyi’s virtual book tour!

Laura is guest blogging today, with information about her tour:

“Thank you for visiting my blog tour for Floating on Mama’s Song, and I hope you will come visit my website. The tour continues all this week. Friday please come back here to Diane’s site and I will announce the winner of a copy of Floating on Mama’s Song. Everyone who posts a comment here or on the tour stops listed below will be entered in the drawing. Good luck!

Tuesday Megan Frances (On Beyond Words and Pictures) will interview me. Megan asked to interview me months ago, before the idea of the blog tour. Thank you, Megan!

Wednesday Tina Nichols Coury (Tales from the Rushmore Kid) will be interviewing my editor at Harper Collins, Katherine Tegen. Tina created the beautiful tour banners – thank you, Tina!

Thursday René Colato Laínez (Latin Baby Book Club) will have an interview with the co-creator of Floating on Mama’s Song, illustrator Yuyi Morales.

Friday I announce the book drawing winner, here again at Out of the Paintbox.”

Thank you Laura. And here’s a preview of your lovely book, for those who will have to wait until Wednesday to buy one. Floating on Mama’s Song is a bilingual book, written in both English and Spanish, with both languages sharing each page. What a great way to learn a language!

Floating on Mama’s Song is the story of Anita, whose Mama loves to sing. She sings such beautiful, happy songs that one day something magical happens. Everyone who hears her music floats high above the ground. But then Mama stops singing. Can Anita find a way to bring back happy times and magical moments for her family?

In addition to being a Junior Library Guild children’s book selection for Fall 2010, Floating on Mama’s Song is getting great reviews:

Booklist praises it as a folklorish collaboration between Laura’s smooth-flowing story and the glowing colors of Yuyi’s illustrations.

Kirkus says “Together author and illustrator offer a story filled with whimsy and humor about the power of voice and family.”

Library Journal declares “a stirring Caribbean tale…..both the English and Spanish versions of the story are fun and easy to read.”

Remember, tomorrow the tour will be hosted (and Laura will be interviewed) by Megan Frances on her blog On Beyond Words and Pictures.