booksinckids's blog

April Chu Loves!

April Chu Loves

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

I am currently working on the illustrations for my next picture book. about Kate Warne, America’s first female detective, written by Marissa Moss. Kate worked as a Pinkerton agent and helped solve some of the most famous cases in history. However, her existence remains a mystery. She died at a young age and little is known about her, including her real name. 

When I started brainstorming ideas for the illustrations, I wanted the book to have the look and feel of a classic detective or heist movie. I was also really inspired by graphic novels, which have all the elements of a good film – relatable characters, strong pacing, and intriguing viewpoints. One of my favorite graphic novels is Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol. The story is about Anya, a young teenage girl in high school who is trying hard to fit in. Sounds pretty familiar, right? The story takes a spooky twist when she befriends the ghost of a young girl from 1918 named Emily. Slowly, the story takes a dark turn when Emily’s past starts to unravel…

Vera’s illustrations are done in simple grey tones and her line work offers just enough details to depict the characters’ emotions and how this thrilling tale unfolds. 


I am an architect with an architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley.  I currently reside in Oakland, California.  Most important, I love illustrating and storytelling and it all started when I was very little…

One of my most vivid and earliest memories as a young child was my drawing of an old man sitting on a stool.  I couldn’t believe how lifelike he turned out!  I showed my grandmother who immediately told my mom, “Did you know your daughter can draw?!”  I fell in love with drawing ever since.  Everyday after school I would watch cartoons and then try to create my own characters and stories.  My school notebooks were often filled with more outlandish doodles than actual notes. 

I am a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).

April Chu's wonderful illustrations are featured in In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van, and Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark.

Books Inc. - April 2016 Newsletter

 

April Middle Grade Book Clubs!

Want to continue to encourage your middlegrader to read? Check out these awesome book clubs they could join at many of our locations! New memebers are always welcome and there is no need to sign up. Just walk on in and join the conversation! Here are this month's upcoming Middle Grade book clubs:

 

ARCs ARCs ARCs!!

We love getting Advanced Reader Copies from publishers, who doesn't, but we especially love getting interactive ARCs. Here's just a few examples of books with awesome ARCs!

Pax by Sara Pennypacker (Middlegrade)

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas (Young Adult)

Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica (Adult)

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