Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

Cover Reveal for YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART!

I'm so thrilled to show you the cover of my nonfiction picture book, YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART! I first drafted this book way back in 2013, and called it "The Hardest Working Muscle." I always intended it to be a lyrical nonfiction book, but I couldn't figure out how to bring it all together. I … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal for A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY!

I am SO delighted to share the cover of my next nonfiction medical-themed picture book, A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY! Beautifully illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte, this book will be released by Little Bee Books on June 20, 2023! I was delighted to talk to Betsy Bird on her School Library Journal … [Read more...]

NCTE National Convention!

I had an amazing time in Anaheim, California, at the NCTE National Convention. I had the pleasure of being on two super-star-packed panels: "Book Banning and Erasure of the Whole Child" and "Underrepresented Authors on Diversity in STEM/STEAM Fiction and Nonfiction." It was a real treat to see old … [Read more...]

New York State Reading Association Conference and a Charlotte Award nomination!

I was so excited to attend the NY State Reading Association Conference, where I presented, signed books, and mingled with other authors and book-lovers. I'm thrilled that my picture book SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2023 New York State Charlotte Award nominee! … [Read more...]

VCFA WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency!

I had a fantastic time at the  Vermont College of the Fine Arts' WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency. I was honored to be the Guest Author at this four-day conference, and it was fun spending time with agents, editors, VCFA faculty, and alumni. We gave and listened to lectures, chatted about craft and the … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE wins the Massachusetts Book Award!

I'm so delighted and honored that the Massachusetts Center for the Book has chosen RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as the winner of the Massachusetts Book Award in Middle Grade/Young Adult Literature! Having this book of my heart win this award in my home state means so much to m. Huge congratulations to all … [Read more...]

Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at the Concord Festival of Authors!

I was so honored to give the Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at my hometown Concord Free Public Library as part of the Concord Festival of Authors! I loved talking about my path to becoming an author (with Thoreau looking over my shoulder!) and connecting with readers young and young at heart! … [Read more...]

Boston Book Festival!

Perfect fall weather provided a lovely backdrop for the Boston Book Festival on October 29, 2022! I loved talking about verse novels and poetry with awesome authors Rebecca Caprara and Kip Wilson, and I got to reconnect with many other kidlit authors!   … [Read more...]

I’LL GO AND COME BACK Art Featured at the Society of Illustrators!

Sara Palacios's gorgeous artwork for I'LL GO AND COME BACK is currently on show at the Society of Illustrators in New York City! Her work is part of the "The Original Art 2022" exhibit of children's book illustration. If you're in the city, be sure to check it out. (The last day to take advantage of … [Read more...]

River Bend Bookshop!

I had a ball hanging out on a lovely fall Sunday with friends Josh Funk and Elly Swartz at River Bend Bookshop, a wonderful independent bookstore in Glastonbury, CT! We read our books aloud, met readers, signed books, and had so much fun!   … [Read more...]

Chappaqua Book Festival!

I had a ball at the amazing, incredible Chappaqua Book Festival on a perfect fall day! I joined over a hundred other authors and met so many amazing readers! What a celebration of children's literature!   … [Read more...]

Chenery Author Festival 2022!

It was such fun joining this excellent lineup of authors at the Chenery Author Festival at Chenery Middle School in Belmont, MA! It was such a joy to talk books with other authors and young readers! … [Read more...]

Project Literacy in Midland, TX!

I had an amazing time visiting schools and libraries in Midland, Texas and participating in their Project Literacy programming. I had a magical experience, which included arriving on a fire truck; spending time with beautiful kids, educators, librarians, (and Clifford!); visiting the gorgeous area … [Read more...]

Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat!

I spent a marvelous few days at the Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat at the MIT Endicott House. Organizers Pam Vaughan and Julia Boyce did a stellar job welcoming 40 writers + editors Jessica Anderson, Alex Aceves, and Chris Krones and agents Brent Taylor and Sera Rivers. In the first in-person … [Read more...]

Highlights Retreat!

I went to Highlights in September with a bunch of writer friends: Chris Baron, Josh Levy, Cory Leonardo, and Naomi Milliner. Our debut novels all published in 2019, and we have been meeting once a year at Highlights since 2018! (We skipped 2020, of course). We spent the weekend catching up and … [Read more...]

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