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The One And Only Dylan St. Claire

Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
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Hardcover
$17.99 US
8.88"W x 11.31"H x 0.34"D   | 13 oz | 24 per carton
On sale May 05, 2020 | 32 Pages | 978-1-9848-9346-8
Age 3-7 years | Preschool - 2
Reading Level: Lexile AD560L | Fountas & Pinnell N
Meet elementary school superstar Dylan St. Claire in this laugh-out-loud book about a live-out-loud boy.

Dylan's getting ready to audition for the school play, a musical about outer space, and he's got his sights set on playing the star . . . figuratively and literally. But when he ends up being cast as a squirrel, the real theatrics begin. Follow this extremely secure and unique boy through his daily dramas as he tackles each dilemma with pizzazz and skill.

Giving a fabulous voice to the kind of boys who are under-represented in children's books, Dylan St. Claire confidently walks between "masculine" and "feminine" behavior: He cries openly and expresses his emotions but also cracks jokes and finds his inner strength when the going gets rough. Full of laughs and a one-of-a-kind character kids will cheer for, this hilarious story is a celebration of individuality, persistence, overcoming disappointment, and what it takes to be a true star.
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Florida Sunshine State Young Reader's Award
"Edwards’ debut provides a genuine and uniquely fabulous role model for children of all gender identities who delight in the performing arts. . . . Young readers will be motivated to reevaluate their understanding of belonging, teamwork, and personal pride." —Booklist

“The stars shine brightly for a boy who knows he is destined to twinkle and sparkle. . . . School-age dreams of acting can come true.” —Kirkus Reviews

"In his picture book debut, actor, writer, and producer Edwards aims the spotlight on a confident young triple threat with a refreshing emotional range that defies gendered expectations. . . . A humorous book that will resonate with budding dramatists, and a good reminder for young readers: one doesn’t have to be a star to shine." —Publishers Weekly

“In this debut, Edwards presents Dylan as a zippy, clever character who is endearing and has a flair for the dramatic. Ebbeler’s acrylic full spreads are bright and colorful, and include a diverse cast of characters. . . . A pleasant story for outgoing children and natural born scene-stealers." —School Library Journal


KAMEN EDWARDS is an actor, writer, producer, and children's book author. Kamen's acting credits include guest star slots on Modern Family, Young & Hungry, and Big Time Rush, as well as guest appearances in sketches for Conan O'Brien, Attack of the Show, and X-Play. As a writer for TV and film, Kamen has created several sitcoms pilots with his unique voice, humor, and point of view on LGBTQ+ issues. View titles by Kamen Edwards
JEFFREY EBBELER has been creating award winning art for children for over a decade. He has illustrated more than 40 children's books including James Patterson's New York Times bestseller Laugh Out Loud, Tiger in My Soup, Ellie May on President's Day, and When Bill Gates Memorized an Encyclopedia. He is also the author and illustrator of Click and George the Hero Hound. Visit him at jeffillustration.com. View titles by Jeffrey Ebbeler

The One & Only Dylan St. Claire - Read Aloud With author Kamen Edwards | Brightly Storytime Together

Inside the Book: Kamen Edwards (THE ONE AND ONLY DYLAN ST. CLAIRE)

Classroom Activities for The One And Only Dylan St. Claire

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

Meet elementary school superstar Dylan St. Claire in this laugh-out-loud book about a live-out-loud boy.

Dylan's getting ready to audition for the school play, a musical about outer space, and he's got his sights set on playing the star . . . figuratively and literally. But when he ends up being cast as a squirrel, the real theatrics begin. Follow this extremely secure and unique boy through his daily dramas as he tackles each dilemma with pizzazz and skill.

Giving a fabulous voice to the kind of boys who are under-represented in children's books, Dylan St. Claire confidently walks between "masculine" and "feminine" behavior: He cries openly and expresses his emotions but also cracks jokes and finds his inner strength when the going gets rough. Full of laughs and a one-of-a-kind character kids will cheer for, this hilarious story is a celebration of individuality, persistence, overcoming disappointment, and what it takes to be a true star.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Florida Sunshine State Young Reader's Award

Praise

"Edwards’ debut provides a genuine and uniquely fabulous role model for children of all gender identities who delight in the performing arts. . . . Young readers will be motivated to reevaluate their understanding of belonging, teamwork, and personal pride." —Booklist

“The stars shine brightly for a boy who knows he is destined to twinkle and sparkle. . . . School-age dreams of acting can come true.” —Kirkus Reviews

"In his picture book debut, actor, writer, and producer Edwards aims the spotlight on a confident young triple threat with a refreshing emotional range that defies gendered expectations. . . . A humorous book that will resonate with budding dramatists, and a good reminder for young readers: one doesn’t have to be a star to shine." —Publishers Weekly

“In this debut, Edwards presents Dylan as a zippy, clever character who is endearing and has a flair for the dramatic. Ebbeler’s acrylic full spreads are bright and colorful, and include a diverse cast of characters. . . . A pleasant story for outgoing children and natural born scene-stealers." —School Library Journal


Author

KAMEN EDWARDS is an actor, writer, producer, and children's book author. Kamen's acting credits include guest star slots on Modern Family, Young & Hungry, and Big Time Rush, as well as guest appearances in sketches for Conan O'Brien, Attack of the Show, and X-Play. As a writer for TV and film, Kamen has created several sitcoms pilots with his unique voice, humor, and point of view on LGBTQ+ issues. View titles by Kamen Edwards
JEFFREY EBBELER has been creating award winning art for children for over a decade. He has illustrated more than 40 children's books including James Patterson's New York Times bestseller Laugh Out Loud, Tiger in My Soup, Ellie May on President's Day, and When Bill Gates Memorized an Encyclopedia. He is also the author and illustrator of Click and George the Hero Hound. Visit him at jeffillustration.com. View titles by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Media

The One & Only Dylan St. Claire - Read Aloud With author Kamen Edwards | Brightly Storytime Together

Inside the Book: Kamen Edwards (THE ONE AND ONLY DYLAN ST. CLAIRE)

Additional Materials

Classroom Activities for The One And Only Dylan St. Claire

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)