Gifts For The Readers on Your List
With absolutely no self-interest in mind, I'm sharing a few recommendations for young readers, grown-ups, and everyone in-between.
FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN & THE YOUNG AT HEART
The Escargot series comes in board book, audiobook, and regular editions. Combine with the adorable Escargot plushie for maximum delight.
Escargot follows the shimmery trail of a very beautiful French snail who wants to be your favorite animal. "Escargot’s voice is parfait, an airy blend of ego and need masterfully balanced in witty and well-turned sentences that leave plenty of room for audiences to get the joke." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
A Book for Escargot finds our hero in a library, looking for both a French cookbook and a book about a daring French snail-hero who saves the day. Perhaps you can help?
"Slater’s wonderfully silly story is presented through a direct conversation between snail and reader—an incredibly engaging choice... Escargot is a treat!"— Booklist
Love, Escargot introduces the reader to Snailentine's Day, a day for celebrating your favorite snail. Escargot is on his way to a party and would like you to come along. You are a snail, aren’t you? “Though love and snails rarely go together, it's easy to be won over by this mighty mollusk."—Kirkus Reviews
Wild Blue stars Kayla, a girl with an enormous imagination and a spirited new bike. In a charming take on a milestone moment, a young girl summons a cowpoke's courage to tame her intimidating new bicycle. “Readers who are nervous about taming their own big-kid bikes will find a heroine to cheer in this heartening and humorous tale.” —The Wall Street Journal
The Antlered Ship, with extraordinary illustrations by the Fan Brothers, takes young readers on a nautical adventure involving a philosophical fox, an adventure-seeking pigeon, and an anxious deer captain, each in search of their own kind of answers.
“This gorgeous, eye-opening adventure is an engrossing reading experience that proudly touts curiosity and finding friendship in kindred spirits.”—Booklist (starred review)
Dangerously Ever After is a witty adventure that centers around an unconventional, danger-loving princess and a mix-up involving roses and noses. Just released as an animated film! “Slater stuffs every sentence with inventive detail . . . A sophisticated romp.” —Publishers Weekly
FOR OLDER CHILDREN & TWEENS
The Book of Fatal Errors, Book 1 of The Feylawn Chronicles tells the story of two 12-year old cousins, Rufus Takada Collins and Abigail Vasquez, who must unravel a decades-old mystery involving a mysterious family property called Feylawn, small winged creatures called feylings, a long-ago wrong that must be righted, and a monster who speaks your doubts out loud. Available as an audio book as well.
"A seamless combination of fantasy and mystery wrapped around a classical coming-of-age narrative, Dashka Slater’s The Book of Fatal Errors grabs the reader's hand from the first page and tugs them along at a breakneck pace through twist after twist.” — Bookpage
The Book of Stolen Time. Book 2 of the The Feylawn Chronicles continues the magical summertime adventures of Rufus, Abigail, and Iris. The quest to save Feylawn becomes even more dangerous when a leopard appears in the woods without warning; strange, waterlogged women arrive to warn of impending doom; and a goblin begins digging his way back to Earth, hungry for revenge. "Full of magical creatures, action, and adventure, this is an entertaining duology closer... An exciting, engaging read."—Kirkus Reviews. Also available as an audio book.
FOR TEENS & ADULTS
Accountable is a propulsive and thought-provoking true story about the revelation of a racist social media account that changes everything for a group of high school students and begs the question: What does it mean to be held accountable for harm that takes place behind a screen? Named as a Best Book of 2023 by four separate publications. “Journalist and author Dashka Slater expertly conducts a vivisection of an online racism scandal that reveals scars on the beating heart of a small town in California."—Shelf Awareness. Also available as an audiobook.
The 57 Bus is a New York Times bestselling nonfiction narrative about the two teenagers on either side of a high-profile crime. “[A] multi-layered lesson on the healing power of humanity." --Shelf Awareness starred review
Also available as an audio book.
A Sigh of Relief is my substack about Justice and Accountability. Subscribers get weekly essays on a variety of topics related to ethics, education, free speech, restorative justice, social media, teenagers, and whatever else is on my mind.
I’ll have a few more suggestions in upcoming newsletters. Stay tuned!
I bow to you,
Dashka