News

November 14, 2024

Manny Matches the Weather Announcement Image: Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Manny Matches the Weather by Jenny Lacika (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Antonieta Muñoz Estrada. This board book follows along as Manny learns to consider both temperature and precipitation to dress appropriately (with style!) for all kinds of weather. Publication is planned for summer 2026 as part of the STEAMworks partnership with Count Play Explore; the creators represented themselves.

September 15, 2024

Biracial Bookworms by Bethany Edwards, Children's books for Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

March 12, 2024

Cesar's Cerulean Surprise Announcement Image

September 19, 2023

Mackin Lifting Voices: Authors JaNay Brown-Wood, Rajani Larocca, Art Coulson, and Jenny Lacika come together to discuss the importance of storytelling, inclusion, and cultural representation in math education. Their joyful stories celebrate children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Come share your own experiences of inclusive STEM lessons with other educators and ask the panelists your questions.

September 14, 2023

¡ESSIE! ¿OTRA VEZ? / AGAIN ESSIE? is a School Library Journal selection in 30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage.

August 3, 2023

Talking Books Announcement Image: Alex Borbolla while at Atheneum bought world rights to Talking Books: Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way to Read, a nonfiction picture book by Jenny Lacika, illustrated by Ashanti Fortson, in their picture book debut; Feather Flores will edit. This biography details how perpetually curious Robert B. Irwin found new ways to learn and explore the world after losing his sight at a young age, ultimately making stories accessible to readers of all abilities through the creation of the first audiobooks. Publication is set for spring 2026; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Susan Graham at Einstein Literary represented the illustrator.

July 11, 2023

Baked With Love: How Food Allergies Changed the Way We Bake announcement image

March 16, 2023

Beto's Berry Treasure Announcement Image: Alyssa Mito Pusey at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Beto's Berry Treasure by Jenny Lacika, illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda, a picture book about a boy who wants his adventurous, pirate-loving sister to sit down and join him for tea, and the math (mapping) skills he uses to achieve his goal. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kate Powell at Astound US represented the artist."

February 15, 2023

AGAIN, ESSIE? has been awarded the 2023 Mathical Book Prize for Pre-K!

February 14, 2023

¡ESSIE! ¿OTRA VEZ? / AGAIN ESSIE? is a Bank Street Books Best Children’s Picture Book of the Year in Spanish for 2023.

January 10, 2023

Measuring Up: How Oliver Smoot Became a Standard Unit of Measurement Announcement image

December 19, 2022

I got to share a little about my path to becoming a writer with my alma mater’s magazine, Technology Review, in an MIT News: Alumni Profile, Raising a voice for marginalized perspectives.

December 9, 2022

AGAIN, ESSIE? made Betsy Bird’s 2022 Math Books for Kids list!

June 24, 2022

AGAIN, ESSIE? was selected for the Summer 2022 Love Makes the World Go Round CBC Showcase by The Children’s Book Council!

June 19, 2022

At the Early Math Symposium, June 24, 2022: A deep dive into Storytelling Math, the acclaimed picture book series that highlights math, diversity, and the power of storytelling, celebrating children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Join Charlesbridge executive editor Alyssa Mito Pusey, math expert Marlene Kliman, and series authors JaNay Brown-Wood, Jenny Lacika, and Ana Crespo to discuss the series’ joyful stories and hands-on activities that make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Storytelling Math was developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC, under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.

Early Math Symposium header image with smiling children and sponsor's icons along the bottom

June 17, 2022

Visit the Picture Book Builders blog where I got to chat with Sara Ackerman about AGAIN, ESSIE? and for a chance to win a copy of the book.

Picture Book Builders Instagram post highlighting the Again, Essie? cover and the text "Interview with Author Jenny Lacika + Giveaway"

May 5, 2022

Visit the Las Musas blog where I got to speak with Mariana Ríos to celebrate the publication of AGAIN, ESSIE?

May 1, 2022

Visit the 12×12 Challenge blog where I had the opportunity the share a little more about how I became a writer.

12x12 Featured Author May 2022 promo image featuring a notebook and pen, the cover of AGAIN, ESSIE?, and an author photo, on a wooden surface

April 26, 2022

Santa Fe friends, bring your kids to play with math at the Santa Fe Public Library in May! More info here.

Event flier for the Santa Fe Public Library: Guest Storytime! with author Jenny Lacika. Join us for a playful exploration of geometry using the power of storytelling. Southside Branch Fri. May 13 10:30am 6599 Jaguar Dr. (505) 955-2828. La Farge Branch Wed. May 18 10:30am 1730 Llano St. (505) 955-4863. Main Library Friday May 27 10:30am 145 Washington Ave. (505) 955-6837. santafelibrary.org

February 24, 2022

Take Pride in the Ride Announcement image: Alex Borbolla at Atheneum has acquired, at auction, Take Pride in the Ride by Jenny Lacika, a picture book anthem celebrating lowriders and the cultural importance they hold in Chicano communities; Diné/Chicana artist Nani Chacon will illustrate. Publication is planned for spring 2024. Miranda Paul negotiated the two-book deal for the author, and the illustrator represented herself.

February 8, 2022

Visit the Writers’ Rumpus blog to learn more about my debut picture book and my path to publication.

Screenshot of the Writers' Rumpus website where I shared more about my debut picture book and my path to publication.

July 14, 2021

SCBWI email announcement, Announcing the Volemos Grant Winners: The SCBWI is thrilled to announce Jenny Lacika as the winner of the Volemos Grant, a new opportunity for writers of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage. Newbery Metal winner Meg Medina created, sponsored, and judged in part this grant for the SCBWI, which rewards writers with a promising manuscript written in English or Spanish. As the winner, Lacika will receive a $500 prize, a free year's membership to the SCBWI, free tuition to the Big Five-Oh Summer Conference, and a coaching session with Medina to further her budding career. Honorable mention Cecilia Alonso will also receive a free coaching session. The second runner-up was Belen Cabot. Congratulations to these talented writers. CLICK HERE to read more about the Volemos Grant.

October 24, 2020

I participated in a discussion about diversity and representation in children’s literature as part of Charlesbridge Publishing’s Storytelling Math Symposium.

February 15, 2020

NESCBWI Windows and Mirrors Scholarship Winners 2020 Conference Scholarship Winners: Juliana Adedoyin - THE CHOCOLATE GIRLS: THE TASTE OF SWEET SUCCESS, a middle grade novel. Jenny Lacika - TALKING BOOKS: HOW DR. ROBERT B. IRWIN CREATED A NEW WAY TO READ, a nonfiction picture book about how Dr. Robert B. Irwin created the first audio books. Runner-Up: Y-Binh Nguyen - THE BEST COLLECTOR, a picture book written in English and Vietnamese.