Books Inc. Berkeley proudly welcomes children's authors Mackenzie Joy and Tony Piedra for a special reading of their books Wallflowers, and One Tiny Treefrog!
Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy:
People call you a wallflower.
Sometimes they call you shy. Sometimes they call you quiet, or maybe even scared. People think these are bad things, because sometimes they are LOUD.
But you are happy just the way you are. And maybe you don't need to learn to be loud, they just need to learn to listen.
Mackenzie Joy beautifully pairs her gorgeous illustrations with minimalist text in this heartwarming book that doesn't just acknowledge shy children, but celebrates them--because every wallflower deserves their chance to grow.
"Reminding quiet readers that they, too, have things to share, Joy's message-forward intonation assures that "You are BOLD. You are BEAUTIFUL. And you are the best in the world at being YOU." - Publishers Weekly
"A sweetly gentle validation for young introverts... Just right, respectful and reassuring, for both the always and the sometimes quiet." - Kirkus Reviews
One Tiny Treefrog by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy
The red-eyed treefrog of the Costa Rican rain forest stars in this bold and visually arresting countdown book, which is both a captivating read-aloud and a resource.
Deep in the tropical forest of Costa Rica, ten sticky frog eggs cling to a leaf. Only nine eggs hatch. Only eight tadpoles wind up in the water below. What will it take to survive the countdown to adulthood and begin the cycle again? This beautifully designed, color-drenched introduction to frog metamorphosis peeks at this animal's habitats and predators as it illustrates competition and natural selection. Cocreators Mackenzie Joy and Tony Piedra have crafted a dazzling spin on the life of one of nature's darlings, the red-eyed treefrog. Back matter invites budding naturalists to discover even more treefrog facts, revisit the pages to spot other Costa Rican species, and check out a bibliography.
Piedra offers an honest look at the odds of becoming a red-eyed treefrog. . . . Greens, blues, and yellows dominate the absorbing, attractive illustrations; it's easy to jump for this one. A winning combination of information and entertainment.
--Kirkus Reviews
Piedra and Joy provide a matter-of-fact primer on a tree frog's life cycle, emphasizing the slim odds of survival faced by tadpoles maturing into adults. . . . Simple, spare text is balanced by the countdown's drama.
--Publishers Weekly
Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy tell a very different kind of survival story in the clever counting book 'One Tiny Treefrog, ' which is set in the lush Costa Rican jungle. . . . In a four-page afterword, children can read more about red-eyed treefrogs and the verdant, dangerous world they occupy.
--The Wall Street Journal
Mackenzie Joy, as an artist, loves to scribble and paint on nontraditional canvases. As a writer, she enjoys finding the perfect rhythms, sounds, and words. As a storyteller, she wants to share stories that are quirky, hopeful, and thought-provoking. Mackenzie Joy lives in northern California.
Tony Piedra grew up in Houston, Texas, chasing lizards in the backyard and capturing great adventures in his sketchbook. Eventually, he relocated to California, where he worked for many years at Pixar Animation Studios, building environments for some of the studio's most popular movies, including Up and Coco. He is the creator of The Greatest Adventure, his debut picture book, and lives in northern California.
