Austin children’s author Kari Lavelle loves walking and loves good causes. These two things combined in her debut picture book, We Move the World, a nonfiction picture book about how the everyday actions of kids is connected with historical people that have changed the world. “Launching this book last year was really exciting but the pandemic made it a little trickier. Fortunately, I’m really grateful to enjoy the support from the wonderful Austin community of writers and illustrators.”
Here Kari lists some of her favorite books for kids from Austin authors to help you not only support local, but read local!
ONE BIG DAY! by Anne Wynter (illustrated by Alea Marley) for ages 0-4
“This board book is so adorable - a great gift for the littlest readers.”
DOLLY: THE STORY OF DOLLY PARTON AND HER BIG DREAM by Robyn McGrath (illustrated by Ellen Surrey) for ages 4-8
“Dolly Parton! Need I say more?”
DOROTHY THE BRAVE by Meghan P. Browne (illustrated by Brooke Smart) for ages 4-8
“You must read this extraordinary story about an ordinary person.”
DUSK EXPLORERS by Lindsay Leslie (illustrated by Ellen Rooney) for ages 4-8
“If I could capture my childhood summer memories into a book, this would be it.”
GEMSTONE DRAGONS by Samantha Clark, for ages 7-10
“This fantastic series is great for beginning readers!”
SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA by Cynthia Leitich Smith, for ages 8-12
“This is a fantastic retelling of the full-of-adventure classic Peter Pan.”
Kari Lavelle is the author of We Move the World (HarperCollins). She has always had a love for words: as a kid reading books, as a speech pathologist helping children communicate, and now as a writer creating stories. She moved to Austin in 2000 to attend graduate school at the University of Texas. Learn more about Kari and her books at karilavelle.com.
