by Tracy C. Gold
Several years ago, I visited Austin, Texas while traveling for a friend’s wedding. I love animals, so number one on my list for my time in Austin was watching the bats fly out from under Congress Bridge (don’t worry, I also had tacos and barbecue and heard live music). A million bats fly out from their home in this bridge in quick succession right around sunset!
Here’s a video! It is so cool!
That was way before I was writing picture books, and way before I had a kid of my own, but somehow it snuggled its way into my brain.
Flash forward to Fall 2019. I signed with literary agent Carrie Pestritto, who fell in love with one of my picture book manuscripts about a real-life mass flamingo rescue that hasn’t found a home with a publisher (yet!). Carrie let me know that editors were looking for Halloween books, and I started brainstorming. I thought a riff on the “Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet” song would be really fun. I also thought it would be fun to write about a somewhat “undersung” spooky animal. Black cats and spiders seemed kind of obvious (and while I love black cats, I do not think I will ever be brave enough to write a book about spiders). Then, out from a dark corner—cave?—in my mind, flew the bats from Congress Bridge! I remembered that bats eat BUGS and “Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat” was born. From there it was lots of drafting, singing the book aloud, and revising, and many months later, a book deal with editor Kelly Barrales-Saylor from Sourcebooks eXplore!
Here’s the cover reveal!
I absolutely adore this cover and all of Nancy Leschnikoff’s illustrations. This bat is just SO CUTE but also just a little scary. Plus, this dark purple is my favorite color! It was a wonderful surprise to see it after just seeing black and white sketches of the illustrations for a while.
I will be mailing out free book-themed stickers, design to-be-determined, to anyone who lets me know they have preordered or requested the book at their library! More details on that and how to get signed copies from my local bookstores can be found here.
Thanks for letting me share the cover reveal, Tara!
Well, thank you for being so patient! It’s true, I’ve been slow with the blog lately. Since I postponed this post, I’m going to make it up to you, blog readers, by offering a virtual video call with me. I’ll pick a winner next week. So leave one comment below about the cover to enter. Good luck!
Tracy C. Gold loves bringing characters to life. She is a writer, freelance editor, and mom living in Baltimore, Maryland. She has two picture books forthcoming in 2021, “Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby” from Familius in March and “Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat” from Sourcebooks in August. She also writes short stories, essays, novels, and poems. Her work has been published in several magazines and anthologies. Tracy earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore and earned her B.A. in English from Duke University. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s playing with her toddler, or hanging out with her horse and dog, both rescues. You can find out more about Tracy at tracycgold.com, by following her on Twitter and Instagram at @tracycgold, or by liking her Facebook page.
97 comments
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April 8, 2021 at 11:25 am
Debra Shumaker
Tracy, you are on fire! I LOVE this cover! Congrats!!!!!
April 8, 2021 at 1:43 pm
Tracy C. Gold
Thank you so much! I am thrilled with it!
April 8, 2021 at 11:25 am
Kassy Keppol
I love bats! Puppies with wings.
April 8, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Tracy C Gold.
Puppies that eat bugs! Even better!
April 8, 2021 at 11:32 am
Genevieve Gorback
I’m excited about this book! My daughters love bats!
Tara – what a generous giveaway!
Thank you!!!!!
April 8, 2021 at 1:45 pm
tracygold
Thank you so much!!
April 8, 2021 at 11:33 am
Sarah Tobias
I love your story leading up to the book. It’s so cool when life experiences take such a hold and then find a way to be shared with the world. I also love Halloween, bats, and things that are a little bit scary. I have been seen telling scary stories in historic cemeteries. Oddly at those times I feel so alive. Can’t wait to read your book.
April 8, 2021 at 1:45 pm
tracygold
Hi Sarah, Thank you! Oooh, what a fun reading event that would be…in a historic cemetery! Though perhaps not terribly respectful if there are rambunctious kids!
April 8, 2021 at 11:35 am
Bonnie Auslander
Great story about how different memories come together to create wonderful story ideas! Looking forward to reading this one!
April 8, 2021 at 1:45 pm
tracygold
Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 11:36 am
clairebobrow
This book sounds fabulous! Congrats, Tracy and Nancy! The cover is charming, and now I have the song running through my head…”Trick or treat, bats to eat…” 🙂
April 8, 2021 at 1:46 pm
tracygold
Haha, thank you! Only…6 more months until we’re singing it on Halloween (:
April 8, 2021 at 11:38 am
Mary
Congratulations, Tracy! It looks like a winner!
April 8, 2021 at 1:46 pm
tracygold
Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 11:42 am
Kathy Watson
We love bats in our neck of the woods! Looking forward to sharing that one with the kids.
April 8, 2021 at 11:44 am
Bethanny Parker
The cover is beautiful! Congrats!
April 8, 2021 at 1:46 pm
tracygold
Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 11:45 am
marsue77
Oh no. I wanted to make a comment and accidentally unsubscribed. Please put me back.Marci
April 8, 2021 at 11:48 am
Becky Scharnhorst
This cover is adorable! I’m adding this to my fall wish list. 🙂
April 8, 2021 at 1:46 pm
tracygold
Thanks so much!
April 8, 2021 at 11:48 am
Sylvia Mary Grech
Congrats Tracy! Nice cover too.
April 8, 2021 at 1:47 pm
tracygold
Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 11:51 am
heathercmorris
That is the CUTEST COVER EVER!! Love the bat! We have a “bat cave” near where we live that is home to hundreds of bats. Watching them fly out at dusk is amazing.
April 8, 2021 at 1:47 pm
tracygold
That is SO COOL! Maybe I’ll have to go on a “bat cave” book tour!
April 8, 2021 at 11:52 am
Maria Bursey
That’s the cutest bat I’ve ever seen! Congratulations!
April 8, 2021 at 1:49 pm
tracygold
Haha, I agree! Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 11:53 am
Deborah Buschman
So cute! Congrats Tracey and continued success on your writing journey.
April 8, 2021 at 11:55 am
brennajeanneret
Thanks for sharing this awesome cover reveal! I am currently working on a Halloween-themed MS so I’m glad to hear they are still in demand 🙂
April 8, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Jay
Oh my goodness what a cute bat! Congratulations on your new book, and can’t wait to read it.
April 8, 2021 at 1:50 pm
tracygold
Thank you so much!
April 8, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Marilyn Wolpin
Tracy, Looks like a fun book. And I also love purple and couldn’t write a book about spiders (even though one of my story storm ideas did involve one). Looking forward to seeing both books in print! Congratulations.
April 8, 2021 at 1:50 pm
tracygold
Haha, kindred spirits!!
April 8, 2021 at 12:51 pm
dedradavis03
As a Texan, who hates mosquitos, I’m so excited about this book. I love that Austin’s bats inspired you! The cover is adorably scary! Congrats, Tracy!!
April 8, 2021 at 1:51 pm
tracygold
Ha! Yes, gotta love bats for their bug eating powers! Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 12:55 pm
boardmancamera
Wow! Thanks for sharing the video–amazing! And what a creative thinker and writer you are! Congratulations!!
April 8, 2021 at 1:51 pm
tracygold
Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Mia Geiger
Such a colorful cover! Such personality! Thank you for sharing the story behind the story!
April 8, 2021 at 1:52 pm
tracygold
Right, what an adorable bat! Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 1:23 pm
Angela De Groot
What an awesome concept. I’m looking forward to reading this. And not just for Halloween.
April 8, 2021 at 1:52 pm
tracygold
Aww, thank you! Yes, there is great buggy fun to be had any time of year!
April 8, 2021 at 1:23 pm
Lynn Baldwin
This looks so cute! Congratulations, Tracy!
April 8, 2021 at 1:51 pm
tracygold
Thank you!
April 8, 2021 at 1:30 pm
Thelia Hutchinson
It is a very cute cover. Sounds like a fun book.
April 8, 2021 at 1:52 pm
tracygold
Thank you! I think it’s fun!
April 8, 2021 at 1:37 pm
judyrubin13
Thank you,Tracy, for sharing about your upcoming book. As a bat lover, I look forward to reading it. I love the cover.
April 8, 2021 at 1:52 pm
tracygold
Thank you so much!
April 8, 2021 at 1:43 pm
Jany Campana
Tracy–Cool purple! It’s my favorite color too!!!
April 8, 2021 at 1:52 pm
tracygold
It’s the best color, truly!!
April 8, 2021 at 1:55 pm
kiwijenny
This is darlingly batty. My kids had a bug project for school but we had bats. Hmmmm it’s not millions of bats coming out of a bridge but there’s a germ of a story.
April 8, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Sue Heavenrich
congrats! This looks like such a fun book (says this bug-eating human).
April 8, 2021 at 2:19 pm
chardixon47
Congratulations Tracy and Nancy! Purple is my favorite color, too. Love how you found your clever and inviting title! I look forward to reading TRICK OR TREAT, BUGS TO EAT! It’s fun to type and say that title 🙂
April 8, 2021 at 2:23 pm
Nancy Ramsey
The cover looks great! Can’t wait to read the book! Congratulations!!
April 8, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Veronica Bartles
This looks adorable!! I can’t wait to read it!!
April 8, 2021 at 2:36 pm
Lindsey Hobson
Looks fantastic! That purple is one of my favorite colors too! Congrats
April 8, 2021 at 2:36 pm
Andrew Hacket
Such an inviting cover! I can’t wait to read this.
April 8, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Elyse Trevers
The character is adorable-I can see the kids asking for the stuffed versions!
April 8, 2021 at 2:45 pm
kathydoherty1
Tracy, I loved learning how you got your idea for this book. That’s one darling bat!
April 8, 2021 at 2:49 pm
rosecappelli
Seeing the bats under Congress Bridge was a must for me when I visited Austin. Your cover bat is adorable and doesn’t look a bit scary. Congratulations on your successes!
April 8, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Linda Mitchell
Pink and purple bats are my favorite.
April 8, 2021 at 3:14 pm
janetfrencksheets
I’ve been looking forward to this book. Bats are the best!
April 8, 2021 at 3:50 pm
srkckass
I really love how you came up with an idea and made it work. Congratulations on getting published. I’m looking forward to reading your flamingo book too!
April 8, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Arlene Schenker
Looks great and kid friedly! Good luck, Tracy!
April 8, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Fern Glazer
This sounds like a lovely book!
April 8, 2021 at 5:24 pm
Michelle O'Hara Levin
Such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing and congratulations. 🎉
April 8, 2021 at 5:27 pm
Hannah Roy LaGrone
Cutest bat ever! Sorry Stellaluna!
April 8, 2021 at 6:38 pm
Mary Warth
Thanks Tracy and Tara. Fabulous cover!
April 8, 2021 at 6:49 pm
Elayne
We used to live in Austin so I am very familiar with the amazing bat scene there. 🙂 I love that that was the inspiration for this book! Can’t wait to check it out!
April 8, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Rebecca E. Guzinski
What a fun title! Kudos on this new book! 🙂
April 8, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
What a sweet bat! looking forward to reading this book!
April 8, 2021 at 9:11 pm
seschipper
Great post!
Congratulations, Tracy! Looking forward to reading both books:)
April 8, 2021 at 9:33 pm
LAURA BOWER
Congratulations Tracy! That cover is adorable! Looks like a Halloween winner. 🙂
April 8, 2021 at 11:20 pm
Sheri Radovich
Congratulations Tracy. That is just the book I want to find at the library this fall. Thinking of my Carlsbad Cavern or Caves visit in New Mexico.
April 9, 2021 at 12:29 am
sunflowerscribe
My 3 year old would be drawn in right away by this cover! She loves Halloween as well! Congrats on your book!!!
April 9, 2021 at 1:25 am
Kelly Lee
That has got to be one of the cutest covers I’ve ever seen! Definitely need to get my hands on this book. Loved reading the story behind the story.
April 9, 2021 at 1:27 am
danielleshark
I love your description of the cover, adorable but also a little scary. Those big eyes and little bitty fangs say it all!
April 9, 2021 at 1:28 am
danielleshark
Love your description of the cover, adorable but a little scary. Kids will be drawn to those big eyes and little bitty fangs.
April 9, 2021 at 3:50 am
betlw
I love the title! The colors are eye catching and the little bat is so cute. I don’t think it’s scary at all. Kids and parents will be attracted to this cover. Good luck with this book, Tracy!
April 9, 2021 at 7:41 am
nicholebowers
One of the best picture book titles ever! Adorable cover. I’m thinking a bat/bug theme Halloween or birthday party with lots of bug shaped candy and this book. 🙂
April 9, 2021 at 8:49 am
Debra Adamson
Such cool inspiration for this, Tracy! Love the cover art.
April 9, 2021 at 10:11 am
S. K. Wenger
Congratulations, Tracy!!! This book will be a hit! It sounds adorable!
April 9, 2021 at 11:05 am
Sarah Skolfield
I love this cover. The purple, the little bugs, the adorable but fang-toothed bat. The title makes me little sad for those cute bugs on the cover. Curious about what’s going to happen in this story!
April 9, 2021 at 11:43 am
jensubra
Who knew a bat could look so cute and cuddly!
April 9, 2021 at 11:46 am
Bea Brown
That’s the cutest bat I’ve ever seen. Love the title.
April 9, 2021 at 11:49 am
Lynn
I like everything about this book, so far, so I’ve requested that my local library purchase a copy. Young readers will love it, I’m sure.
April 9, 2021 at 12:30 pm
marty
Great title and super cute bat. Congrats on this book. Look forward to reading it.
April 9, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Angie
I love the big adorable bat eyes and the colors of the cover! And of course, the content is going to be wonderful. I am fascinated with bats!
April 9, 2021 at 2:42 pm
pathaap
What a fun book! And the cover is wonderful! Congratulations!
April 9, 2021 at 4:11 pm
TerriMichels
okay, that was cool and so is your book idea!
April 9, 2021 at 4:27 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
I never thought I would say “what a cute bat!” Congratulations on TRICK OR TREAT, BUGS TO EAT from a fellow Baltimorean.
April 9, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Dana Atnip
This cover is wonderful, I love both the design and the color palette! I too have seen the bats in Austin, so amazing!
April 9, 2021 at 8:51 pm
Karol Ruth Silverstein
I had the ***very*** same reaction to the cover that Tracy did: “This bat is just SO CUTE!” Book looks adorable!
April 9, 2021 at 9:39 pm
Judy Sobanski
The cover makes me smile. Congratulations! Looking forward to reading TRICK OR TREAT, BUGS TO EAT!
April 10, 2021 at 6:51 am
kelbelroberts
A bar book! What a great idea! I love the colors on the cover! Thanks for sharing!
April 10, 2021 at 6:59 am
yangmommy
Tracy, the cover is simply scrumptious! And I personally have a yen for Hween books🎃. Can’t wait to see this on shelves!
April 11, 2021 at 9:53 am
Allison W.
CONGRATULATIONS! That was one of my favorite Austin moments also. : )
April 12, 2021 at 3:05 am
Catherine
Congratulations on your new book Tracy. I love the cover, that little bat is so cute :o)
April 15, 2021 at 9:37 am
mariagianferrari
I love bats, and this is definitely a place on my bucket list. Congrats, Tracy!