Publishing takes time… but having a new book come out when it’s finally all ready is so sweet!

“Like THAT Eleanor” is beautifully illustrated by Kelly Mangan, and published so well by Maria Dismondy, Adam Blackman, and the team at Cardinal Rule Press. It’s the merging of two VERY different ideas… 1) how Eleanor Roosevelt was a pretty amazing ally to other groups of people who didn’t have her privilege, and 2) how kids see unfair things happen all the time and aren’t sure if there’s anything they can do to make things more fair.

Empowering kids to make our world a better place is a big part of why I write books for them, so it’s exciting that it all came together in this quirky story of a girl with two dads named after Eleanor Roosevelt, who sees unfair things happen at her school and wonders how she can help make things more fair. The stories her dads tell her about Eleanor Roosevelt being an ally inspire child Eleanor to stand up for a nonbinary friend… and that makes their little circle of the world more fair.

I’m really proud of this book that’s coming out during a moment when our world certainly needs more people standing up to be allies!

“Like THAT Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally” has gotten a bunch of really nice reviews so far — here’s a sample:

“This warm picture book provides a primer on allyship.” —Foreword Reviews

“Accessible…heartfelt…empowering.” —Publishers Weekly

”With a critically important social justice message, ‘Like That Eleanor’… is timely, entertaining, and thoroughly ‘kid friendly’. Especially and unreservedly recommended…” —Midwest Book Review

There’s a great interview with Kelly (the illustrator) and myself at Maria Marshall’s The Picture Book Buzz which is a really fun introduction to the book and the story behind the story (both words and pictures).

If you’d like to attend the free launch day online reading and discussion on June 3, 2025 at 1pm Eastern just sign up here.

I hope you’ll check out “Like THAT Eleanor” from your favorite indie bookstore and/or library! (and if you like it, please spread the word. Word of mouth is still the most powerful way people find out about great books)

And remember, you can get a signed copy of Like That Eleanor (or any of my books) from my local indie bookstore, Pages: A Bookstore in Manhattan Beach, CA. Just request a signed copy in the notes field and add the personalization you’d like.

Thank you for sharing the adventure — and here’s to making our world a better place, together!

The light in me recognizes and acknowledges the light in you,
Lee

P.S. bookseller friends, I’ll be speaking at ABA’s Children’s Institute (I’m moderating the Friday morning keynote panel and participating in the Friday evening author reception at table #25), so you can get a signed copy from me there!

P.P.S. librarian friends, I’ll be at ALA Annual (Signing at the IPG booth #1940 on Saturday 1pm Eastern, and moderating a Sunday 9:30am Diversity Stage panel), and you can get a signed copy from me there!