Dasher is available TODAY!

Dasher is a brave little doe with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life — one in which her hooves tread in soft, cold snow under the glow of the North Star.

And one day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It’s not too long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a big sleigh. And soon, with the help of a powerful wish, Christmas will never be the same.

Here's the trailer...

And for anyone who would like to buy a copy (please do!), here are some links:

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/2JedkzI 
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W0m7vh 
Books A Million: http://bit.ly/2YDofet 
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2JulkMB

I'll be heading out on tour soon. Here's where I'll be...

For more information about Dasher, visit tavaresbooks.com. Thanks!

Red & Lulu is available TODAY!

Hooray! It's Red & Lulu's book birthday!

This book has been part of my life, in one form or another, for the past 6 years. I'm really proud of how it came out, and it's very exciting to know that it's finally out in the world.

The response so far has been great. It got a starred review in Publishers Weekly, and I got word from Candlewick that it's already in its second printing! So far, so good...

For anyone who would like to buy a copy (please do!), here are some links to order it from a local bookstore or online:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/RedandLulu
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BNRedLulu
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/IndieRedLulu

Here's the book trailer:

I'll be traveling around quite a bit between now and Christmas, promoting Red & Lulu. If you're near any of these places, come say hi!

 For more about Red & Lulu, and for a full list of events, visit tavaresbooks.com.

Lighter Than Air!

My new book, Lighter Than Air, is now available. Written by Matthew Clark Smith, illustrated by me, Lighter Than Air tells the story of Sophie Blanchard, the world's first woman pilot. I really enjoyed working on this book, and I'm excited to be able to share Sophie's inspiring story with young readers. Here's the cover...

And here's a quick peek inside the book...

Here's a peek inside LIGHTER THAN AIR, which comes out today. @candlewick #bookbirthday #kidlit pic.twitter.com/LdqpYFeIpl

— Matt Tavares (@tavaresbooks) March 14, 2017

Lighter Than Air is available now, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or an independent bookstore near you. Or order a signed copy from my friends at G. WIllikers!

And for any educators out there, Candlewick Press put together this amazing (and free!) teachers' guide. Enjoy!

Crossing Niagara comes out TODAY!

My new book, Crossing Niagara, comes out today! Look for it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or at an independent bookstore near you.

This is the seventeenth book I've illustrated, and the eighth book I've written. This one was a lot of fun to work on. As part of my research, I took a trip to Niagara Falls with my family. It was awe-inspiring to see it up close, to stand next right to the falls. We got drenched on the Maid of the Mist...

... and ventured out to the end of the observation platform at Prospect Point. I tried to imagine what it must have felt like for the Great Blondin to be right near that very spot, unthinkably high above the raging river, walking on a rope just three inches wide. (It was scary enough standing on a twenty-foot-wide platform!)

I really enjoyed working on this book. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Here is a free Crossing Niagara teachers' guide Candlewick Press put together.

I have a bunch of events in the works for the spring and summer. Here are some of the places I'll be reading and signing Crossing Niagara:

April 12 3:00-5:00 pm, Winchester Town Hall in Winchester, MA, part of Authorfest 2016.

April 23 2:30 pm, Niagara Falls Public Library in Niagara Falls, NY.

May 14 (time TBA) G. Willikers in Portsmouth, NH

June 4 (time TBA)  Book Ends in Winchester, MA.

June 4 (time TBA) The Boston Book Festival presents "Hubbub". I'll be doing a book signing and a hands-on illustration workshop as part of this fun all-day family festival.

And here's a full list of events.

Growing Up Pedro comes out TODAY!

Growing Up Pedro, my picture book biography of newly elected Baseball Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, is officially available today!

This is the seventh book I've written, and the sixteenth I've illustrated. And of all the books I've worked on, this one was my favorite. From re-watching some of Pedro's greatest games and reliving some of my favorite baseball memories, to traveling to the Dominican Republic to learn what life was like for Pedro as a kid, to spending countless hours reading and re-reading interviews and articles about Pedro's remarkable journey, I truly loved every minute of the process. I hope that shines through in the final product.

Here are a few links, if you'd like to order a copy (thanks in advance, if you do):

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mfpHL9
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1r1QWsR
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1o3V8ng

And here's the trailer:



I've got a few events coming up. More are in the works, but here's what's confirmed so far:

February 27, 7:00 pm, launch event at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA
March 8,  2:00 pm launch event at Book Ends in Winchester, MA
March 14, 1:00 pm, signing at Barnes and Noble in Newington, NH
April 14, 3:00-5:00 pm, "Authorfest" book signing at the town hall in Winchester, MA

And if you happen to be in New England, check out this awesome promotion Candlewick has put together. Good reason to head down to your local independent bookstore!

And one more bit of good news: pitchers and catchers report to spring training in ten days! Baseball season is just around the corner.

THERE GOES TED WILLIAMS available today!

My new book, There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, is now available in stores! Hooray!!

Here's a little preview courtesy of Google books, with links to a few places where you can buy it, like your local independent bookstore, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

And here is the book trailer:

Today also happens to be the release date of the new Fenway Centennial Edition of Zachary's Ball (released simultaneously in hardcover and paperback) and the new paperback edition of Henry Aaron's Dream! Huzzah!

new Fenway Centennial Edition of Zachary's Ball, with snazzy new cover design and new author's note about Fenway Park

Henry Aaron's Dream, now available in paperback