Tag: cover reveal

Do You Know the Dark? Cover Reveal and a Kirkus Starred Review!

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This is the cover artwork for my upcoming book Do You Know the Dark? Set for release on May 12, 2026 with Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Do You Know the Dark? is available for pre order now wherever books are sold ✨

IndieBound (US), Canadian Indie Book Stores

In times that feel collectively challenging, uncertain, and like the warmth of the sun is far away, I wanted to explore the transformative and nourishing aspects that are possible in seasons or spaces of darkness. What exists in the dark of the earth, of the sea, of outer space? What can our imaginations create when we dream? As a person who needs to hibernate sometimes in order to feel energized or creative, I know the absence of light is both the natural rhythm of things, and can be a vitalizing retreat from the expectation to be “on” 24 hours a day.

Away from the light, it becomes less clear that we’re so different, so separate. Without a spotlight, maybe the ways we shine brightly as individuals can take a break, and we can feel into how we are connected by heartbeats, breath, sensation, and soul.

I am so pleased that Do You Know the Dark? received a Kirkus starred review!

“MacLean’s spare, rhythmic prose—which asks what happens “in the dark” across various landscapes—creates space for her artwork to breathe and astonish. Mixed-media spreads radiate with jewel-toned colors, including purples, bright greens, and blues that transform darkness from frightening to fascinating. The compositions employ strong visual principles: Horizontal lines in mountain scenes convey stability and peace, while curving forms in underground and underwater sequences create energy and movement. Dark silhouettes in foregrounds—trees, cave formations, a child’s profile—establish a sense of safety and frame the glowing mysteries beyond, making distant wonders feel approachable rather than threatening. The deep blue backgrounds recede comfortingly, while warm accent colors (amber firelight, pink coral polyps) pull focus to specific discoveries. The visual journey progresses from twilight’s familiar shadows through increasingly wondrous nocturnal phenomena—moths transforming, bioluminescence gleaming, northern lights dancing—culminating in a celebration of imagination itself. Text and image work in perfect tandem: Words pose questions; art inspires magical answers. The people depicted vary in skin tone.

A mesmerizing invitation to embrace night’s beauty—great for bedtime shelves and budding naturalists alike. (Picture book. 4-8)“

Single Book

Cover Reveal!

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book cover artwork featuring a young black boy in a red raincoat crouched down by a puddle. He looks up at a vibrant flowing shape full of warm colours, which is the song of a bird who sits on a branch near by. In contrast, the background is in cool colours and dark tones. Over the vibrant shape, the title More Than Words is in a bold white hand brushed font and the subtitle: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean in smaller thinner type. Roz Maclean is written at the bottom.

I am thrilled beyond words (which is fitting) to reveal the cover of MORE THAN WORDS: SO MANY WAYS TO SAY WHAT WE MEAN, which will be coming out with Henry Holt this September. 

This story has been a long time in the making, inspired by my time working in schools as an intervenor (supporting individuals who are DeafBlind) and support worker, my family relationships and my connection with disabled and neurodivergent community throughout my life.

My awareness that not everyone communicates with speech began when I was a child, as my brother didn’t begin to speak until he was about eight, and even then speech was not always what he went to first when he had a message to get across. To support him my parents hosted sign language teachers so we could all learn some sign language, and drawing materials so that he could always draw what he was thinking about.

Later, when I worked in inclusive education supporting students with disabilities, we developed and used communication systems. As an intervenor and support worker, part of my role was to educate and advocate, so there were many conversations with peers, other educators, and whole classrooms about different ways of communicating. Those conversations were so important and impactful, but I also knew that this learning should be happening on a bigger scale. MORE THAN WORDS came to life because I wanted to contribute something helpful to this learning space.

The book description:

In the tradition of All Are Welcome and The Day You Begin comes a touching picture book about the many unique ways we communicate, and how we can better listen to and respect these different modes of expression. 

Nathan doesn’t say much. 

He sure has a lot on his mind, though.

At school, Nathan quietly observes the ways his peers communicate. Even when they’re not talking, they’re expressing themselves in all sorts of ways! 

By witnessing the beauty of communication diversity, Nathan learns and shows his classmates the essential lesson: Not only does everyone have something to say, but seeking to understand one another can be the greatest bridge to friendship and belonging.

This tender, stunningly illustrated picture book explores and celebrates the many forms of expression—signing, speaking, singing, smiling, among others— and culminates in a poignant story about connection and understanding.