Welcome to the 73rd episode of This One’s Dedicated to…, in which Jennifer Ziegler and I share our quick conversation with author Torrey Maldonado — our first-ever return guest! — about the dedication he wrote for his picture book debut, Just Right (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2026).
For my March 2026 giveaway to subscribers to my monthly Bartography Express newsletter (folks can sign up here), I’m giving away four copies of Just Right, illustrated by Teresa Martínez.
If you’d like to be one of the winners, by the end of this month either say so in the comments below or contact me directly, and you’ll be in the running. (Subscribers with U.S. mailing addresses only.)
Thanks for watching, and please visit the main This One’s Dedicated to… page for more episodes.
I would love to be selected for the giveaway!
Hi Chris,
Another newsletter filled with great information!
I would love a copy of Just Right for my K-2 library. It brings a powerful message to kids.
Kerry
Chris,.
Great to hear from you. Dazzle Ships and A Voice Like that are two of my favorites of yours. Good luck on your middle-grades
Theresa Boutotte
Hi Chris,
I have so many things I want to say. I’m glad you repeated Torrey Maldonado’s interview because I now want to read One Lane and Just Right, so I hope I can win one of the copies of Just Right. Also, I didn’t know Meredith had a podcast of First Books. You are so accomplished an author and it’s heartening to hear about all the missteps and rewrites because most of authors can relate.
It’s also great that the (unnamed ) district parents are fighting the censorship you faced by having representatives in the race for the school board seats.
Yay on all fronts!
Your book would be perfect gift for the kids on 6th street south!!! Thanks for your great newsletters and pushing through these times of change.
I would love to win a copy of Just Right! Keeping my fingers crossed for the publication of your middle-grade novel.