Ahh, don’t you just love cover reveals? There’s nothing better as an author, to finally see your creation in all its beautiful bookshelf glory. The story that began as a little seed and grew into a manuscript has finally taken root and it’s ready to soar.
Speaking of soar, I’ve got Annie Silvestro here today to welcome her newest picture book to the world.
BRAVO, LITTLE BIRD!
(That’s the title of the book, not my nickname for Annie.)
Since I’m fascinated by ideas and how they leap into our minds, I asked Annie to share a backstory of the story.
For years my son took piano lessons at his teacher’s home. She had a beautiful front lawn and the piano sat in her living room with windows facing out to the yard. As I would listen to the lesson, occasionally a deer or a rabbit would pop up in the grass and I imagined they were listening to and enjoying the music, too.
Sitting there, I also had plenty of time to think! Of course birds also came to the piano teacher’s window, and being that many birds are musical creatures, a bird seemed like a good match for the story I wanted to tell.
At some point as the idea percolated, I scribbled down the first line into my nightstand notebook and the story began to take shape in my mind.
At heart, BRAVO, LITTLE BIRD!, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, is a friendship story between an old man and a bird, and about how the power of music affects us and unites us in ways we don’t even realize. I look forward to sharing it with you!
For now, I am grateful to Tara for revealing the truly beautiful cover illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. Thank you, Tara!
It’s gorgeous, Annie! I can feel both the music and the bird taking flight!
BRAVO, LITTLE BIRD! will be published by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books on February 21, 2023. Watch for it to flutter into your bookstore window!
Annie Silvestro is a lover of books who can often be found shuffling piles of them around so she has a place to sit or someplace to put her teacup. She is the author of the forthcoming BRAVO, LITTLE BIRD as well as DYLAN’S DRAGON, SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING MICE, BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB GOES TO SCHOOL, BUTTERFLIES ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, THE CHRISTMAS TREE WHO LOVED TRAINS, MICE SKATING, and BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB, named a Kids’ Indie Next List Pick, an Amazon best book of the year for 2017, and a 2018 pick for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Annie lives with her sons by the beach in New Jersey where she laughs loudly and often. Visit her at AnnieSilvestro.com and follow her on Twitter @AnnieSilvestro.
31 comments
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June 16, 2022 at 2:38 pm
Bethanny Parker
Congrats on your new book. I hope it is well-received.
June 16, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Wendy
It looks (and sounds) beautiful, Annie!
June 16, 2022 at 2:50 pm
rosecappelli
Looks wonderful, Annie! Congratulations!
June 16, 2022 at 2:56 pm
regm55
This sounds like the perfect picture book. I so wish we didn’t have to wait till next year!!
Love this idea.
June 16, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Barbara Gold
What an enticing title. Can’t wait to read Bravo, Little Bird
June 16, 2022 at 3:28 pm
kiwijenny
Awwwww if only my kids music teacher’s piano faced a window…sigh
Love this blog. God bless and hugs . I’d love this book on my pile …who has time to shelve?
June 16, 2022 at 3:55 pm
Kim A Larson
Looks like another great book, Annie! Congratulations. Can’t wait to read it!
June 16, 2022 at 4:22 pm
Chelle Martin
Can’t wait to read this. Congratulations!
June 16, 2022 at 4:22 pm
readmybook2002
Love the look and Happy Book Birthday.
June 16, 2022 at 4:51 pm
ptnozell
Gorgeous cover, and I loved learning the story behind the story.
June 16, 2022 at 5:22 pm
kathydoherty1
Such a tender, sweet book. Great cover, too!
June 16, 2022 at 5:46 pm
leslieevatayloe
How wonderful! Congrats. Best wishes in 2022.
June 16, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Stephen S. Martin
BRAVO BRAVO
June 16, 2022 at 8:16 pm
Nadine Poper
Bravo Annie! I look forward to adding this book to my elementary school library.
June 16, 2022 at 9:50 pm
chaunceyelephant
It looks beautiful. Can’t wait to read the story.
June 16, 2022 at 10:33 pm
seschipper
Love the title, Annie! The cover is perfect! Congratulations! 🙂
June 16, 2022 at 10:38 pm
tinamcho
Lovely cover! Congratulations!
June 17, 2022 at 8:17 am
Antoinette Truglio Martin
Lovely! I think wonderful stories when music and nature collide. Thanks for the post.
June 17, 2022 at 10:58 am
Tonnye Fletcher
Love hearing stories about the power of music!!! And, I love birds. They keep my feeder perpetually empty while filling my heart with joy. A book about the two of them together is right. up. my. alley. Not to mention, this is a PBJam for certain! I can’t wait to add this one to my shelf!
June 17, 2022 at 11:37 am
Marci Whitehurst
What a lovely cover! This book looks marvelous. Congrats!
June 17, 2022 at 12:28 pm
marty bellis
Sounds like a terrific book, Annie. I’ve loved your others, so can’t wait to read this one. Beautiful cover art.
June 17, 2022 at 7:19 pm
EmmieRWerner
Sounds sooooo sweet❤️
June 17, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Congrats on your books!
June 18, 2022 at 11:53 am
Angie
What a beautiful cover! Congratulations, Annie!
June 18, 2022 at 4:33 pm
chardixon47
Congratulations! I look forward to reading your book 🙂
June 18, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Elayne
Looks delightful. Congrats!
June 20, 2022 at 9:16 am
theresacocci
Thank you so much for sharing. My love of music and teaching piano resonates so much with your story. There’s a huge oak tree in front of our house and so many times, my students and I have stopped to listen to the birds singing during a lesson. I remember feeling a little sad one day and sat down to play and immediately heard the beautiful singing of the birds. I felt like we were performing a duet.
June 20, 2022 at 9:16 am
theresacocci
Thank you so much for sharing. My love of music and teaching piano resonates so much with your story. There’s a huge oak tree in front of our house and so many times, my students and I have stopped to listen to the birds singing during a lesson. I remember feeling a little sad one day and sat down to play and immediately heard the beautiful singing of the birds. I felt like we were performing a duet.
June 20, 2022 at 11:58 am
Angela De Groot
I’m excited to read this when it comes out. Sounds delightful and very special.
June 22, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Jessica Milo
Congratulations!! The cover is so beautiful, and I can’t wait to read your sweet story!
June 22, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Lauri Meyers
Looks very sweet, Annie!