The Picture Book Buzz - PB25 Vibes June 2025 Releases

In PB25 Vibes, a group of creators with books launching in 2025, we are all about vibes! Finding that feeling you want to leave with the reader is at the heart of writing a picture book. Our stories are ones that are meant to evoke emotions, and as we drafted our stories, we kept a feeling—a vibe—in mind.

Today, I have the opportunity to chat with two authors from the group about their new picture books releasing in June.

Be sure to visit their X/Twitter feed (https://x.com/pb25vibes) for book announcements and writing tips for authors.

Welcome Ha and Costantina,

Tell us a little about yourself. (For instance, where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate?)

Ha Dinh – Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-up (Zonderkids/Harper Collins Christian 6/3/2025) – I am a reading intervention specialist, former primary school teacher, mom, and author. I had been dreaming of writing Children’s Books as a kindergartener when I first came to America. While becoming an author has always been a dream of mine, I didn’t actively pursue publishing until five years ago in 2020.  I then began writing stories that I wished I had as a child and stories that would help share memories of my childhood. With the help of the amazing writing community that was very active on Twitter in 2000, I found a mentor to help me edit and polish one of my manuscripts and was matched with an agent, who helped me sell my debut picture book in 2001.

Costantia Manoli – The Fig Tree: A Story About Building Friendship and Peace in Cyprus (Roaring Brook Press/Macmillian Publishers 6/17/2025) – As an educator and a mother of two, life is pretty busy so I do not have the luxury of a fixed writing schedule. I grab snippets of writing time when and where I can and so far, it seems to work for me! In some ways, knowing I only have short bursts means the writing becomes more intentional and a large part of drafting and working stories out happens way before I get to actually sit down and write. I’ve always enjoyed writing and I’ve always done it – as far back as I can remember. Writing for children is the most challenging writing I’ve done; it can appear to be straightforward and simple, yet, it is so rich and complex. It is also a privilege and a joy!

It is wonderful to "meet" you both. What helps you to be inspired? (perhaps a certain place, music, activity, etc.)

Ha Dinh – I find inspiration from my childhood, memories of past experiences as a classroom teacher, and my children. Sometimes even conversations about things that happened in the past inspire me to think of stories to write. But no matter what inspires me, I want to make sure that my stories are relatable and relevant to my young readers. I want them to read my stories and find themselves in it and a part of it.

Costantia Manoli – Ideas are everywhere – if you’re open and observant, there will always be something to write about. Inspiration however, is a bit different; that comes from the inside – not from the outside. I’m of the mindset that if you wait to be inspired by something, you’ll be waiting a long time! You have to get started to be inspired by what you are doing;, you generate your own inspiration. That being said, when I find myself stuck with a writing issue (or any issue really!), one of the most effective ways to get unstuck is by moving physically. Dog walks are particularly useful for this – getting out and moving around in nature works wonders for clearing the mind of the mundane and allowing it the space to come up with creative solutions. I think walking allows us to access different parts of our brain in different ways and I almost always come back after a walk with my head full of threads to explore.

Now that we know a little more about both of you, what made you wonder about this topic or inspired you to write your book? 

Ha Dinh – Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-up (6/3/2025) – After having sold some picture books, I wanted to begin working on an idea that I have had since I began teaching - a chapter book series with a Vietnamese American main character, where I can share some Vietnamese traditions with my young readers and help them learn some Vietnamese as well. After going through my ideas and outline of the story with my former agent, I began drafting the first book and building Ly-Lan and her world.

Costantia Manoli – The Fig Tree: A Story About Building Friendship and Peace in Cyprus (6/17/2025) –  The Green Line and the Cyprus Problem is something that I have grown up with as my dad was on the front line of the 1974 conflict in Cyprus, and I have lived on the island for so long. It is a part of the history of my family, and the history of the island so it was an important topic for me to tackle – a tricky one, but important.

I love the way you have both incorporated your personal histories and cultures into these fascinating books. What do you like to do outdoors - either by yourself or with your family and friends?

Ha Dinh – Whenever I can, I love spending all day out on the beach. The sound of the waves, the feel of the ocean breeze, and the feel of the sand underneath my feet. Being outside on the beach makes me the happiest and brings so much calmness and clarity to me.

Costantia Manoli – I live on a small island, so the beach is never more than a short walk or drive away and with the good weather here in Cyprus, beach days are frequent and easy to come by. Perhaps because of this, I find escapes to the mountains to be a real tonic whether alone or with my family. It is usually much cooler in the mountains and definitely greener. When you live in a place that is so hot and so dry most of the year round, the soul really craves greenery to soothe and refresh.  

It is interesting that you both referenced beaches, one as a tonic and the other as an everyday place. Is there anything special you want your readers to know about your book? Do you have a favorite spread? 

Text © Ha Dinh, 2025. Image © Tracy Nishimura Bishop, 2025.

Ha Dinh – Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-up (6/3/2025) – Ly-Lan is named after my mother-in-law, Ly, and my mother, Lan.  She goes to Canyon Ridge View Elementary School, which is named after the three elementary schools that I have taught at up to the point of completing this first book of the series-Cannon Elementary, Parkview Elementary, and Chisholm Ridge Elementary. In addition, the story is set in Grapevine, Texas, where I had taught for 7 years when this series was conceived. I love that the story is lightly Christian as it is reflected from my faith and upbringing and that Ly-Lan is filled with ambition, determination, and heart.  

Text © Costantia Manoli-Cyrus, 2025. Image © Leah Giles, 2025.

Costantia Manoli – The Fig Tree: A Story About Building Friendship and Peace in Cyprus (6/17/2025) –  While The Fig Tree is a story that is specifically about Cyprus, my hope is that the message of building peace and friendship resonates beyond the island and its specific issues. There is so much conflict in the world at the moment and as adults it’s easy for us to be sucked into the politics of it all. I wanted the book to be about peace and people, not politics and as it’s for children, it is particularly important to show love and humanity as they are the future of our world.

Both wonderful illustrations and core hearts of these two books. What was the hardest, or most challenging, part of writing or researching, your book? How long did it take from first draft to publication?

Ha Dinh – Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-up (6/3/2025) – I think I went through 5-6 drafts of this book with my former agent before we even sent it out.  And even after that, there were more drafts to be made before an offer was received. From the time I wrote the first draft to the time it was sold, it took us about two years. 

Costantia Manoli - The Fig Tree: A Story About Building Friendship and Peace in Cyprus (6/17/2025) – This particular book took 7-8 years to finally make it to print. It was quite a long and winding journey! This in itself was challenging and, as The Fig Tree talks about history and war, finding the right balance of detail and neutrality was also tricky. The Cyprus Problem is an ongoing issue, so it was really important to keep the story focused on peace and friendship, not politics. In terms of research, the conflict is something that I have lived with my whole life; my father fought in the war and I live in Cyprus right next to the Green Line. I have also been involved with a number of bicommunal projects over the years, bringing young people from both sides of the island together. I have seen first-hand how powerful these bicommunal relationships can be. This conflict is now over 50 years old and politicians have failed time and time again to come up with solutions. My approach to writing this book was quite simply: What if…?

Thank you both for sharing your book's journey. Who was a favorite/special author, illustrator, and/or your favorite book as a child? 

Ha Dinh – I loved the simplicity and beauty of Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle’s works together. It was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? that helped me to learn English when I came to America at 5 years old.  I will never forget reading that book over and over.  Even though it was memorization, I felt accomplished as a reader, and it motivated me to keep learning and keep reading. 

Costantia Manoli – Quentin Blake, Helen Oxenbury and Jill Barklem have always been favorites of mine. I love love loved Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge series, the level of detail in her woodland scenes and the creatures is astounding and I think really helped me develop a love and appreciation of the natural world. Helen Oxenbury’s work has an emotional resonance to it and Quentin Blake’s illustrations are beautifully loose and energetic.

Both are such excellent books! What makes you passionate about being a children’s author?

Ha Dinh – Being a teacher to primary-aged students and a mother motivates me to write stories that I wished that I had as a child and help children see themselves reflected in the pages of my books.

Costantia Manoli – I love to write for the child I was and the child I wish I could have been. I was always very shy and quiet, and even then, I felt that my introversion was a shortcoming. On the inside though, I lived in a world that was rich in imagination, curiosity and emotion. It is this richness that I wish to draw out and convey through my writing.  

I hope you both find many childhood stories to share. Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us? 

Ha Dinh – My next picture book, The Moon Lantern, will be released September 4. It follows a little Vietnamese American boy who adds his own twist to an old tradition and makes it his own.  It’s based on the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival, and I’m so excited for it! 

Costantia Manoli – there are a few things that I’m working on at the moment – hopefully I’ll be able to talk about them very soon… but not just yet! 

Intriguing. We wish you both the best of luck and will keep our eyes open. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why? 

Ha Dinh – I love the Gulf Islands National Seashore. I love how pristine, quiet, and absolutely beautiful it is. The powdery white sand, the serene environment, and the beautiful wildlife make it one of my favorite places to be in the world.

Costantia Manoli – I love the Maroon Bells in Aspen. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. Walking the trails there is a really profound experience; it’s a place that really speaks to my soul. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time there.

Thank you all for giving us a little peek into you and your books. Wishing you all enormous success.

Thank you so much for having me again!

Thank you all for giving us a little peek into you and your books. Wishing you all enormous success.

To learn more about these writers and illustrators, visit PB25 Vibes @ https://x.com/pb25vibes.

Synopsis: Sometimes things don’t turn out the way we plan! In this chapter book series about a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Ly-Lan navigates her life as a new third grader—complete with old and new friends, unexpected (and disappointing) changes at home and school, and finding a way to thrive.

Third grade is not starting the way Ly-Lan pictured. First, her best friend Cece is put in another class—even after Ly-Lan prayed they would be in the same one. And then Ly-Lan is tasked with showing the new Vietnamese student around. Ly-Lan wants to hang out with Cece, not play translator to the new girl, and she doesn’t understand why her prayers aren’t being answered. If Ly-Lan is going to flourish in third grade, she must learn to trust in God’s plans, especially when it means making some adjustments to her own.

Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-up:

Is the first in a series of illustrated early chapter books about Ly-Lan, a third grader tackling familiar themes like friendship, overcoming obstacles, and navigating changes in life with grace

Perfect for kids ages 6 and up or reluctant or emerging readers just starting to read chapter books on their own.

Is an encouraging read for reluctant readers with its illustrated chapters.

Synopsis: When war divides two sides of an island, a solitary tree brings together two children across the lines, in this touching story about peace, community, and forgiveness.

On the sunny island of Cyprus, a tall and lonely fig tree stands. Her fruit ripens, yet no one comes to share it. Years of fear and division have split the island in two, leaving her in the middle, alone. She remembers the conflict that tore her people apart, but she also remembers the warm days before, when laughter and friendship knew no boundaries.

Yet, with changing seasons comes renewed hope, and the old tree dreams of a future where sharing summer’s first figs might mend those broken bonds.

In this heartwarming picture book by Costantia Manoli, brought to life with Leah Giles’s vibrant illustrations, the shadows of the past give way to a bright future where children put aside fear and distrust to discover that even the deepest rifts can be bridged by the simple act of sharing.