It’s here! So excited, wanted to share with you this beautiful cover for my new book It’s OK to Go Up the Slide. We still have to wait for the book – coming in spring – but thought you’d like to take a behind-the-scenes look at a book being born.

Besides the cover design, we’re in the proofing stage for the final layout, and in the process of seeking blurbs from parenting experts. This is rather fun. I’ve been sending out sneak-peeks of the book to early childhood folks.

David Elkind wrote back, along with Alfie Kohn, Peter Gray, Ellen Galinsky, Michael Gurian, Ooey Gooey Lady, Stuart Brown and many others. Some have time to read it, some don’t, but it’s great to chat and connect ideas with other authors.

Here’s a taste of what people are saying:

“I’m in love with the book from the introduction. It’s going to rock some boats, challenge some thinking, and nudge some adults in the right direction.” – Jeff A. Johnson, author of Let Them Play 

“Can we clone Heather Shumaker? If so, let’s get cracking! Anyone willing to stop and ask, ‘Wait, why do we have to sign our kids’ homework?’ is on the right track. The fact that Heather Shumaker stops to re-examine almost all the conventional wisdom about childhood to figure out which of it is based on anything other than, ‘That’s just how it’s done’ makes her my hero.” – Lenore Skenazy, founder of book, blog and movement Free-Range Kids

It’s OK to Go Up the Slide is coming out March 8, 2016. You can pre-order it now, and be the first to carry it to your playground and share it with other parents as your child climbs up the slide. My eternal thanks to SYC’s director, Stephanie Rottmayer, who thought up the great book title, and to all of you from San Jose to Sandusky who cheered it on.

This book covers a new range of hot-button topics facing preschoolers and elementary school children. Risk. Recess. Kindergarten. Princess play. Sad stories. Technology. Homework. It contains chapters like “It’s OK to Talk to Strangers” and “Families are not Entertainment Centers.” It’s bound to shake up some thinking and validate what we know is right for children. For those of you who love It’s OK Not to Share, I’m thrilled to bring you more renegade ideas.

Ready to be a renegade? Pre-order the “Slide” book.

Here’s a few blurbs if you want to read more –

“This is the book I have been waiting for. Heather again has provided us with practical and respectful parenting advice for the child entering the big world of elementary school years…This book is tender and completely engaging. You will want to keep it with you at all times.” – Dan Hodgins, author of Boys: Changing the Classroom, Not the Child

“Shumaker is like the wise elder we need beside us. In this day and age when recess and play have been set aside for worksheets and sitting still, we need to hear and heed her voice. Every parent, caregiver, teacher and administrator will want to return to this book over and over again. Bravo to Shumaker for encouraging us to reclaim our children’s childhoods.” – Sara Bennett, author of The Case Against Homework

Big thanks to everyone who has sent in ideas, kind words and support. This is your book, too.

What do you think? Do you like the cover? Are you ready to be a renegade?