Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Cover Reveal and ARC giveaway!

I am utterly thrilled to share the cover of my next middle grade novel, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, coming February 2, 2021 with Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins! RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a novel-in-verse set in 1983 about 13-year-old Reha, the daughter of Indian immigrants, who feels … [Read more...]

How About Those F & G’s?!

This week I got a very special delivery from my editor at Lee & Low Books! “Folded and Gathered” (F & G) copies of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH, arrived at my house! An F & G is a copy (two copies in my case, which I didn’t realize until I opened … [Read more...]

My Newest Middle Grade Novel!!

I've been sitting on secret wonderful publishing news for a few months, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell the world! I'm overjoyed to announce that the novel of my heart, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, will be published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on February 2, 2021!! RED, WHITE, … [Read more...]

The Story Seeds Podcast Bonus Episode: My Interview with Betsy Bird!

I had an absolute ball chatting with super-librarian Betsy Bird on this bonus episode of The Story Seeds Podcast! Listen below to hear us dish about becoming an author, writing tips, and our favorite foods, then subscribe to the podcast to hear more stories from authors collaborating with kids! … [Read more...]

A Book Riot List of Feel-Good Middle Grade Books!

In these days of social distancing and staying at home, I was thrilled to see MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM on this Book Riot list of Feel-Good Middle Grade Books! The list includes some 2019 and 2020 debuts as well as some older books. As the article says, "these feel-good middle grade books are full of heart … [Read more...]

My Webinar on Writing Picture Books with the Highlights Foundation!

I was honored to give a free webinar through the Highlights Foundation on writing picture books—a topic that is very near and dear to my heart! I hope to inspire both new and experienced picture book writers with my presentation, "So You Want to Write a Picture Book?" You can watch the whole … [Read more...]

A Big Birthday Giveaway!!

Today is my birthday. It’s a BIG birthday. Today, I turn 50! Unfortunately, I’m not celebrating it the way I thought I would. The world is dealing with a pandemic. We’re being socially distant. Schools are closed, people are working from home, the streets are empty, and we’re not sure how … [Read more...]

Celebrating Math Picture Books on ReFoReMo!

If you want to write picture books, you need to read picture books — lots of them! Reading For Research Month, or ReFoReMo, is a fantastic resource for learning about all kinds of recent picture books. This year, I wrote a guest post featuring recent picture books that celebrate math! Check out the … [Read more...]

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS Cover Reveal and Interview with Mr. Schu!

I am overjoyed to share the cover of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, which will release this year from Lee & Low Books, gorgeously illustrated by the incredible Archana Sreenivasan, on Mr. Schu's blog! The brilliant cover is below, and you can read my interview with Mr. Schu here! … [Read more...]

“Leap Into Publishing” with SCBWI Central-South Ohio!

I was honored to be asked by SCBWI Central-South Ohio to be faculty for their day-long workshop, "Leap Into Publishing," at the Columbus Main Public Library on February 29, 2020! I was joined by my fantastic agent, Brent Taylor, and another client of his, L. Philips. Brent gave an informative … [Read more...]

MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM Featured by Middle Grade at Heart!

I was honored to have MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM chosen as the January 2020 book club selection for Middle Grade at Heart! Check out the January newsletter for a Q & A, cool recipes, a writing activity, and artistic activity! Subscribe to the Middle Grade at Heart newsletter to find more awesome MG … [Read more...]

A Nerdy Book Award!

Each year since 2011, the Nerdy Book Club, a remarkable group of book bloggers and educators, selects its favorite books of the year. I was thrilled and honored to find that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is on their list of 2019 middle grade novels! Check out this incredible list of books, and watch your TBR … [Read more...]

Farewell 2019, Hello 2020!

Last year, I chose a theme word for 2019 using this word generator and got "savor," which felt perfect for me and my baking-themed debut novel. Here's what I said looking ahead to 2019: 2019 is going to be full of exciting moments, and I'm going to try to savor them, to slow down and revel a bit … [Read more...]

MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM Featured in the Children’s Book Council Women of Color Protagonists Showcase!

I'm honored that the Children's Book Council has featured MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM alongside some other incredible books as part of their Woman of Color Protagonists Showcase! Check out Mimi and some other wonderful main characters here. … [Read more...]

The Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books of 2019!

I am honored and utterly thrilled that MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM was named one of the best middle grade books of 2019 by Kirkus Reviews! It's wonderful to be on this list with so many incredible authors, many of whom I've met in my travels this year! Check out the full list here. … [Read more...]

nErDCamp LI!

I was honored to join almost 50 fellow authors and over 300 educators at nErDCampLI this year! We shared inspiration, information, and our love of books, and a wonderful time was had by all! The incredible organizers made us all feel like stars...just take a look at the decorations, complete with a … [Read more...]

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