One Thursday Afternoon
Written & Illustrated by Barbara DiLorenzo

When Granddad picks Ava up from school one Thursday afternoon, she’s quiet. She doesn’t want to talk about the lockdown drill that has stirred up her worries. How can she be so afraid in a place that has always felt so safe?

Granddad doesn’t talk much either; he just offers creativity and companionship. And with his gentle encouragement, Ava begins to sense that although the world can be scary, it is still a beautiful place.

With tender insight, One Thursday Afternoon sheds light on how an unpredictable world can make a child feel, reminding us that big fears can become smaller when we take time together to look, listen, and create. An author’s note about the story’s real-life inspiration and recommendations for how adults can help children overcome fear is included. –Flyaway Books

KIRKUS
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

Listening can make a difference.

Ava is waiting at school for her grandfather; they are going out to paint and picnic together, but Ava seems upset. Granddad allows her to open up at her own pace. Eventually Ava reveals that there was a lockdown drill at school, and she is feeling disturbed because she thought school already was safe. Granddad tells her about the “duck and cover” drills of his childhood. Confiding that sometimes he’s afraid, too, he reminds her that “even though the world is scary, it’s also a beautiful place,” and Ava feels a little better. Appealing and calming illustrations show the two reflecting and talking in a wooded area with a pond and ducks as they paint. When Ava’s fears arise again, she mentions what she’s seen on the news about schools. Granddad commiserates and lets her know that whether the world is “scary or beautiful or both,” he is “here to listen.” Adults may learn a trick or two from Granddad’s model of patience, acceptance, communication, and support, while sensitive children will see they are not alone and that it’s OK to feel upset. Granddad and Ava are brown-skinned, and the opening spread at Ava’s school depicts characters with Black and brown skin and a child who uses a wheelchair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A sweet, specific, and straightforward tale of dealing with good and bad in the world. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-6)

SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS (NYC)
Juried acceptance of one spread (Ava and Granddad Under the Tree) into the Book Division of the 64th Annual Exhibition.

SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS OF LOS ANGELES
Juried acceptance of different spread ( Ava Hugging Granddad) into their 60th Annual Illustration West competition.

For signed books: Labyrinth Books | The Bear + The Books | JaZams
Other places to buy: Bookshop.org | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble
Books A Million | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS
Published by Flyaway Books (September 6, 2022)
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Age Range: 4 - 8 years
ISBN-13: 978-1947888371 | ISBN-10: 1947888374

IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS
Published by Little Bee Books (2018)
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Hardcover | $17.99 | 40 Pages
Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Grade Level: Preschool - 3
| ISBN-13: 9781499805420 | ISBN-10: 149980542X

Invite young artists to draw what Quincy is thinking.
Click to download a PDF of this QUINCY coloring sheet.

Quincy: The Chameleon Who Couldn't Blend In
Written & Illustrated by Barbara DiLorenzo

Quincy the chameleon just can’t seem to blend in. Will he ever find a way to embrace his uniqueness?

Quincy wants to love chameleon school, but he’s not very good at blending in. No matter how hard he tries to stop it from happening, all of his thoughts keep popping up on his skin! In camouflage class, the leaves he’s supposed to blend in with remind him of rocket ships, so his skin changes to look like outer space. And when it’s Quincy’s turn to read his poem out loud, he realizes he has to pee—which the whole class realizes, too, when rolls of toilet paper appear on his skin!
The only thing Quincy loves about school is painting during art class with his favorite teacher, Mrs. Lin. But can painting help him find a way to blend in?
–Simon & Schuster Website

“The illustrations are amusing and interesting, as Quincy’s different thoughts are displayed on his skin, from arithmetic to rainbows... sure to draw a laugh from young audiences.”—Kirkus Reviews

"Quincy, a chameleon, has an artist's soul and his changing colors reflect his thoughts, not his surroundings. This makes camouflage impossible. After many mistakes and embarrassments, Quincy is so disheartened that his skin blends right in with the stormy sky. His art teacher recognizes his uniqueness for the gift that it is and gives him the opportunity to celebrate his talent and finally see himself in a positive light.
VERDICT A beautiful story about being true to yourself, suitable for storytime or one-on-one sharing." —School Library Journal

QUINCY: The Chameleon Who Couldn't Blend In was an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist.

The Cotsen Children's Library of Princeton University did the absolute best Quincy craft for Pop Goes the Page. Dr. Dana Sheridan invited me to speak, but she came up with the craft idea, and supplied the materials–and everyone made their own Quincy! I had so much fun watching each Quincy come to life.

IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers (2017)
Hardcover | $17.99 | 44 Pages
Age Range: 5 - 7 years | Grade Level: Kindergarten - 2
ISBN-10: 0451476417 | ISBN-13: 978-0451476418

Here are some more coloring sheets! Illustrator, Christine Colpitts, helped me out with black and white line drawings. Click the images below for PDF download.
Additional resources, behind the scenes, and teaching aids here.

Write-up about the journey to make this book.

Write-up about the research, influenced by author Darlene Beck-Jacobson.

Original, wordless version submitted to Bologna Silent Book Contest.
(Link to 50-page original dummy)

Renato and the Lion
Written & Illustrated by Barbara DiLorenzo

The touching, magical story of a boy in a war-torn country and the stone lion that rescues him.

Renato loves his home in Florence, Italy. He loves playing with his friends in the Piazza della Signoria. He loves walking home by the beautiful buildings and fountains with his father in the evenings. And he especially loves the stone lion who seems to smile at him from a pedestal in the piazza. The lion makes him feel safe.

But one day his father tells him that their family must leave. Their country is at war, and they will be safer in America. Renato can only think of his lion. Who will keep him safe?

With luminous watercolor paintings, Barbara DiLorenzo captures the beauty of Florence in this heartwarming and ultimately magical picture book.
–Penguin Random House Website

★“This love letter to Florence should spur diverse conversations, from art to history to the plight of refugees.”—Booklist, starred review

BANK STREET COLLEGE
RENATO AND THE LION was listed in the 2018 list of Best Children's Books of the Year for Bank Street (Ages 5-9). "In choosing books for the annual list, committee members consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes."

CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL
RENATO AND THE LION was listed as a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2018 by the Children's Book Council.

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD
RENATO AND THE LION was a Fall 2017 Junior Library Guild selection.

KEYSTONE STATE READING ASSOCIATION
RENATO AND THE LION was a finalist in the 2018 - 2019 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award List for Intermediate Grades 3 - 6.

“Driven by the notion of safeguarding art during military conflict, this debut portrays a wartime reality that is not commonly addressed. A special book and additional purchase that is best-shared one-on-one.”—School Library Journal

“DiLorenzo's often lovely watercolors are best when capturing nature. The endpapers' sun-washed Florence and Renato's dream-ride over the moonlit Ponte Vecchio are lovely...DiLorenzo's careful research yields a touching tale about art's ability to deeply affect both adults and children.”—Kirkus Reviews

NPR featured images of Renato and the Lion on their social media channels on June 29, 2017.

Tablet Magazine (1.3 million visitors/month) reviewed online, calling Renato ‘ravishing’ ‘entrancing’! “What makes stories beautiful and exciting? Because without a doubt, Renato and the Lion is both. Don’t miss it.”

“Barbara DiLorenzo’s tale was inspired by a true story and shows how a child’s connection to art lasts a lifetime.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“DiLorenzo lavishes attention on Florence’s architectural treasures, and her buildings glow with warmth…DiLorenzo’s story is simultaneously a historical account of a family’s emigration and a dream story about the power of great art.”—Publishers Weekly

“Pure eye candy…take a watercolor-y journey to Florence in this gorgeous debut book from Barbara DiLorenzo. A moving story about a little boy in Italy on the cusp of World War II and his plan to save his most beloved lion statue. When his family is forced to flee to New York, he leaves without knowing the fate of the lion. You’ll have to read it to find out if the lion survived the war.”—Red Tricycle

“With ravishing watercolor illustrations, it combines history and magical realism in a way that will entice the youngest readers…The story stands on its own as a wondrous story of family, love and escape… but it’s even better when used as a jumping-off point for a conversation about history and current events. The parallels to many of our own families’ immigration stories—and to the dangers facing today’s refugees—are hard to miss. What makes stories beautiful and exciting? Because without a doubt, Renato and the Lion is both. Don’t miss it.”—Tablet Magazine

“DiLorenzo’s beautiful watercolor paintings bring Renato and the Lion to life. This visually stunning story enchants as it gently educates. The emotional resonance evokes a timelessness that will charm children with its quiet and heartfelt message.”—Good Reads with Ronna blog

“The power of art and dreams come together in this wonderful historical picture book.”—Waking Brain Cells blog

“Gorgeous watercolor illustrations that will transport you right to Florence and a story that will tug at your heartstrings.”—A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust blog

“I've been waiting for this book. The cover and concept had me hooked before I ever opened the cover. The gentle storytelling and expressive watercolors transport kids to another time and place.”—Bookish Ambition blog