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More About Lesléa Newman (She/Her)
Languages: English
Lesléa Newman has written 50 picture books including board books, historical fiction, books about animals, bedtime stories, books written in rhyming verse, books with LGBTQ+ representation, books that challenge gender stereotypes, and books about Jewish holidays, customs, and experiences.
Her literary awards include two National Jewish Book Awards, two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, the Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award, a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts Book Award, the Dog Writers Association Maxwell Medallion, and the Cat Writers Association Muse Medal.
You can find Lesléa online at:
Children’s Book Spotlight Series Featuring Lesléa Newman
NBN Interview with Lesléa Newman
Lesléa’s strengths are…
Her love of language
Her ability to zoom into the heart of the story
Her ability to give honest feedback in a kind manner
Her experience writing in all types of form, including rhymed verse, unrhymed verse, and prose
Her experience of writing picture books for a variety of ages
Her extensive knowledge of the children's book industry
What Lesléa is looking for…
Lesléa is looking for a mentee who is serious about developing their craft and interested in exploring a career in children's book writing through traditional publishing.
Her ideal mentee will be eager to receive feedback and willing to tackle major revisions if that is what their manuscript calls for. Lesléa's ideal mentee will have an open mind, an open heart, be excited about honing their craft, and bring joy to the mentor/mentee relationship.
A Note from Lesléa:
“My best advice is to work on the story that is closest to your heart--it is your love song to the world! I'm excited to be part of this amazing community!”
Some of Lesléa’s Picture Books:
For a full catalog of Lesléa’s work, please visit her website.
Rainbow Cookies, written by Leslêa Newman, illustrated by Z.B. Asterplume
Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story, written by Leslêa Newman, illustrated by Sarita Rich
Joyful Song: A Naming Story, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Susan Gal
Hanukkah: A Celebration, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Rotem Teplow
Like Father, Like Son, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by AG Ford
The Fairest in the Land, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Joshua Heinsz
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Susan Gal
Sparkle Boy, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Marina Mola
Heather Has Two Mommies, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Laura Cornell
Mommy, Mama, and Me, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Carol Thompson
Where is Bear?, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Skunk’s Spring Surprise, written by Leslêa Newman, Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
If Lesléa created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
I Want to Be Big, written by Tiffany Golden, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
Jacob's Missing Book, written by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case
Banana Menorah, written by Lee Wind, illustrated by Karl West
Love Is Here With You: A Lullaby of Blessings, written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
The Remembering Candle, written by Alison Goldberg, illustrated by Selina Alko
Love of the Half-Eaten Peach, written by Lee Wind, illustrated by Jieting Chen
Lesléa is a good fit for:
Rhyme
Prose
Stories about diverse families
Stories about Jewish experience
Stories about LGBTQ+ families
Stories about grief
Stories about animals
Lesléa is not a good fit for:
Horror
Sci-fi
Fantasy
🚫Please do not send manuscripts that contain violence towards people or animals.
Who can apply to Lesléa?
Unagented or Agented Text-only authors
⚠️Note: While all are welcome to apply, Lesléa especially encourages Jewish members of the LGBTQ+ community, members of the LGBTQ+ community, or Jewish writers to apply.