Adding another chapter to her already storied career, Christy Ottaviano is launching a new eponymous imprint, this time with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
The launch list for Christy Ottaviano Books includes five titles: The Chosen One, a YA novel from Echo Brown about a first-generation college experience; Augusta Savage, a novel-in-verse by Marilyn Nelson that is based on the life of a sculptor; Her Name Was Mary Katharine, Ella Schwartz’s picture book biography about a hidden historical figure, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk; The Einsteins of Vista Point, a magical novel from Ben Guterson for young readers that examines the impact of loss; and Knight Owl by Christopher Denise, an illustrated book that explores feelings and friendship.
“It’s the authors’ voice, the illustrator’s vision, the quality of storytelling, the whimsy of the humor, and the necessity of the message that draws me to a book,” Ottaviano told PW. “At the highest level, each of these titles on our launch list features writing and illustration that’s just right for their intended readers. These five titles intersect at various crossroads—each illuminating an important theme of the imprint.”
This newsletter was produced in partnership with Christy Ottaviano Books and Little, Brown Book for Young Readers.
Inspired Publishing: Close-up on Christy Ottaviano Books
PW sat down with Christy Ottaviano, vice president and publisher of Christy Ottaviano Books, to talk about her new eponymous imprint, the type of books she wants to publish, and what she's planning for the year to come.
Win a Christy Ottaviano Book Bundle
Enter for your change to win five titles from Christy Ottaviano Books: The Chosen One by Echo Brown, Augusta Savage by Marilyn Nelson, Her Name Was Mary Katharine by Ella Schwartz, The Einsteins of Vista Point by Ben Guterson, and Knight Owl by Christopher Denise.
The entry period has closed.
The Chosen One by Echo Brown
★ “Powerful and vulnerable"
—Booklist, starred review
Echo Brown testifies to the disappointments and triumphs of a Black first-generation college student in this fearless exploration of the first year experience.
About Echo Brown
Echo Brown is the award-winning author of Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard, which was named a William C. Morris Award Finalist, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year, a CCBC Choice Title, and a Rise: A Feminist Book Project Selection, among other honors. A performer and playwright, Echo created the acclaimed one-woman show Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters. She is a Dartmouth alumna and the first female college graduate in her family.
Augusta Savage by Marilyn Nelson
A powerful biography in poems about a trailblazing artist and a pillar of the Harlem Renaissance—with an afterword by the curator of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Buy the BookAbout Marilyn Nelson
Marilyn Nelson is the author of many award-winning books, including Carver: A Life in Poems, which was a National Book Award finalist, a Newbery Honor Book, and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and received the Flora Stieglitz Straus Award and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. She is also the author of A Wreath for Emmett Till, which garnered the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, a Coretta Scott King Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor. She lives in Connecticut.
Her Name Was Mary Katharine by Ella Schwartz, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
A rousing picture book biography of the only woman whose name is printed on the Declaration of Independence
Buy the BookAbout Ella Schwartz and Dow Phumiruk
Ella Schwartz is the award-winning author of Can You Crack the Code?: A Fascinating History of Ciphers and Cryptography, which won the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books. In addition to writing books, Ella is a cybersecurity warrior interfacing with the U.S. federal government on strategic technology initiatives. She lives in New York with her husband and three sons. She invites you to visit her at ellasbooks.com.
Dow Phumiruk is the award-winning illustrator of Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13, which won the Bank Street College of Education Cook Prize and was named an NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book as well as an NCTM Mathical Honor Book, among many other honors; An Equal Shot: How the Law Title IX Changed America; and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, which was an Amazon Best Book of the Year and an NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. A general pediatrician with a passion for art, Dow lives in Colorado with her family. She invites you to visit her at artbydow.com.
The Einsteins of Vista Point by Ben Guterson
After the tragic loss of their sister, Zack and his siblings band together to investigate a Morse Code-inspired mystery in this stunning novel about grief and resilience.
Buy the BookAbout Ben Guterson
Ben Guterson is the author of Winterhouse—an Edgar Award and Agatha Award finalist, as well as an Indie Next List Pick—and its sequels, The Secrets of Winterhouse and The Winterhouse Mysteries. The Winterhouse trilogy is available in 10 languages worldwide. Ben and his family live in the foothills of the Cascades, east of Seattle, and you can visit him online at benguterson.com..
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart.
Buy the BookAbout Christopher Denise
Christopher Denise spent much of his childhood in Shannon, Ireland, exploring castles and dreaming of great adventures. He is the illustrator of many critically acclaimed books for young readers, including Anika Aldamuy Denise’s Bunny in the Middle, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’s Following Grandfather, and Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s award-winning Redwall series. His books have appeared on the Indie Next List and the New York Times bestseller list and in the Society of Illustrators’ Annual Exhibition. Knight Owl marks his author-illustrator debut. Christopher’s current adventures include exploring coastal Rhode Island, where he lives with his family.
Christy Ottaviano Books
Christy Ottaviano Books is a boutique imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, part of the Hachette Book Group, which specializes in creative publishing of high-quality children’s books. The imprint publishes approximately 30 titles per year with a spotlight on developing authors and artists, providing intensive and inspiring editorial feedback and art direction to nurture both debut and established talent.
Mission
The line’s broad scope features author-illustrators and encompasses literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction from preschool through young adult: books that encourage imagination and free-thinking; foster a sense of family, community, and history; target the feelings of children; and speak directly to young people’s interests as they explore various milestones—contemporary classics that both challenge and entertain inquisitive readers.
