We are so pleased to see Rachel Poliquin and Rachel Wada recognized on the Kirkus Reviews list of Best Picture Books of 2021!
About THE STRANGEST THING IN THE SEA: AND OTHER CURIOUS CREATURES OF THE DEEP by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler:
★ “This engaging presentation invites readers to dive in.”— Kirkus Reviews, starred review, September 2021
“Well worthy of purchase, this informative book is both fun and fascinating.”— CM Magazine, October 2021
Rachel Poliquin grew up in the country collecting curious bits of nature. She once wrote a small book about seahorses, but she lost it. She has a PhD in the history of science and a background in visual arts, museums studies and natural history.
She writes about animals, mostly. She is the author of Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game, The Superpower Field Guides (about unexpected animal heroes), and the Polite Predator series (containing very good advice on how not to get eaten by hungry snakes and hyenas). She lives in Vancouver with her husband and three children.
Rachel Poliquin is represented by Amy Tompkins.
About FROM THE TOPS OF THE TREES by Kao Kalia Yang and illustrated by Rachel Wada:
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2021, Winner, 2021
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2021
★ “A stirring, lyrical portrait of hope and intergenerational bonds.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “[A] gentle celebration of vision, hope, and determination . . .”—School Library Journal, starred review
★ “Beautiful in its simplicity and elegance, with a hopeful and inspiring message, this story will not soon be forgotten.”—Booklist, starred review
★ “This story of resilience and generational hope is told in an expressive, straightforward narrative style. A visually striking, compelling recollection.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Rachel Wada was born in Japan, grew up briefly in Hong Kong and China, and now lives and works in Vancouver. She started drawing at a very young age, perhaps as a way of transcending the language barriers of the cities she grew up in. Rachel’s cultural roots and upbringing continue to inspire her work to this day. She graduated with a BFA in Illustration from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2016. Her illustrative style is characterized by rich textures, colours and details executed both traditionally and digitally. She is shortlisted for the Pacific Northwest Book Award for her children’s book debut, The Phonebooth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden written by Heather Smith (Orca Book Publishers). The book has received four starred reviews, and been named a Best Picture Book of 2019 by both Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Rachel’s work can also be found in newspapers, magazines and online publications.
Rachel is represented by Amy Tompkins.
To see the full list, please go to: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2021/picture-books/books/