QUIET APPRECIATION
The best part of bringing my book WALLFLOWERS to life and sharing it with the world is when I hear from people who truly needed to read this story. Thank you, each and everyone one of you, who take the time to reach out, to share with me how the book affected you, and sometimes sharing a photo. I am especially honored when this book reaches three people: 1) the quiet person who is so touched by getting to read these words, 2) the less-quiet person who said this book opened their eyes about how to care for their quieter friends, and 3) the people who are able to create safe spaces and learning moments (thank you, teachers, leaders, caregivers) for the quiet and less-quiet alike. You are all the best in the world at being you. Thank you for being you.
WALLFLOWERS
BY Mackenzie JoY
BORN: February 21, 2023
Gently step into a world where you are celebrated for being quiet. It’s not always easy going unnoticed, but when you can find the spaces and places where you can be yourself, no matter where you choose to stand or how quietly you choose to roar, you can truly bloom.
Order on Bookshop.com, Amazon, and whenever possible support local indie bookstores and libraries directly!
What people are quietly saying about WALLFLOWERS (:
“Just right, respectful and reassuring, for both the always and the sometimes quiet.”
Read the whole starred review at Kirkus Reviews
Mutually Inclusive’s 23 Most Anticipated Picture Books of 2023
WILD COLLABORATION
I am so fortunate to also get to make creative nonfiction books with my ultra-talented partner (in life and creativity) Tony Piedra. Our first book, ONE TINY TREEFROG, a story of awe-inspiring adventure, is about to be joined by our second, PAU: THE LAST SONG OF THE KAUAʻI ʻŌʻŌ, both with Candlewick Press. Please check out our collaborative work at www.makandtea.com
ONE TINY TREEFROG by Tony Piedra & Mackenzie Joy
Hop along with the story of what it takes to become one tiny treefrog, from embryo to tadpole and beyond in this stunningly cinematic nonfiction narrative picture book coming soon from Candlewick Press.
Order on Bookshop.com, Amazon, and whenever possible support local indie bookstores and libraries directly!
What people HAVE TO SAY about ONE
“A winning combination of information and entertainment.”
Read the whole starred review at Kirkus Reviews
One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy won a 2023 Blueberry Honor Award from the Evanston Public Library and a Riveryby Award from the John Burrow’s Association Literary Awards. It was also selected as one of the Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books in 2023 and was on the Junior Library Guild's selection list in 2022. In 2024, it was long-listed for the AAAS/Subaru Book Prize and the Children's Science Picture Book Award.