A Diverse group of award-winning illustrators & authors creating across many industries.

Kirkus starred review for My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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zulayMy Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, has received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

Aimed at readers aged 5-8, this charming book follows Zulay, a first grader who must learn to navigate around school using a white cane. Although she is encouraged by her three best friends – Chyng, Maya and Nancy – all Zulay wants is to be like every other kid: to fit in. My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay‘s inclusive nature ensures that readers of all backgrounds and abilities will feel welcomed and assured by the story and its characters.

About Brantley-Newton’s illustrations, Kirkus said: “Brantley-Newton’s bright colors and attention to facial expressions swiftly convey Zulay’s enthusiasm, attitude and apprehension, as well as the skeptical and encouraging looks she can’t see.”

On the back cover of the book, a raised braille alphabet will introduce the unfamiliar and provides a nice final touch to the experience.

Buy My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison

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little melbaThe praise keeps coming for Little Melba and her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison. A review by the Smithsonian BookDragon blog commented on the artwork, saying that “Morrison also knows how to add soul-soothing rhythm to the page: take that cover with young Melba barely grown enough to hold that instrument, then compare it to the final double-page spread in which an adult Melba takes the same leaned-waaay-back, feel-the-stirring-sounds stance decades later and wows a sold-out audience of thousands.”

Further praise comes from School Library Journal, where Little Melba was featured in an article entitled “A Trio of Trailblazing Performers.” In the review, SLJ says of Frank Morrison’s gorgeous artwork: “Frank Morrison’s vibrant oil paintings gleam with deep jewel tones, bold lines, and kinetic motion. Gracefully elongated figures provide a fine counterpoint to this performer and her often stretched-to-the-max slide, and a kaleidoscope of shifting perspectives keep Melba—and her music—center stage.”

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Vanessa Brantley-Newton


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My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay Reviewed in The New York Times

January 30, 2015

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, was reviewed in The New York Times’ Sunday Book Review. The review praised Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s “wonderfully spirited” illustrations, and say My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay is “refreshing in its casual approach to racial diversity.” Read the full review here.

 

Publishers Weekly praises My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

December 09, 2014

Publishers Weekly gave a fine review to My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulaywritten by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Publishers Weekly called the book a “frank, encouraging story”, and described Brantley-Newton’s illustrations as “exud[ing] warmth and empathy as they build to a triumphant conclusion.”

 

Kirkus starred review for My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

November 13, 2014

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, has received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

Aimed at readers aged 5-8, this charming book follows Zulay, a African-American first grader who must learn to navigate around school using a white cane. Although she is encouraged by her three best friends – Chyng, Maya and Nancy – all Zulay wants is to be like every other kid: to fit in. My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay‘s inclusive nature ensures that readers of all backgrounds and abilities will feel welcomed and assured by the story and its characters.

About Brantley-Newton’s illustrations, Kirkus said: “Brantley-Newton’s bright colors and attention to facial expressions swiftly convey Zulay’s enthusiasm, attitude and apprehension, as well as the skeptical and encouraging looks she can’t see.”

On the back cover of the book, a raised braille alphabet will introduce the unfamiliar and provides a nice final touch to the experience.

Buy My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

 

Praise for My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton from School Library Journal

November 3, 2014

School Library Journal praised My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay with a very positive review that noted the book as “a great way to continue building diverse library collections for all readers.”

The book is written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. About the illustration, SLJ said: “Bright, colorful illustrations on a clean white backdrop are crisp and clear and mesh seamlessly with the text.”

School Library Journal praises My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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zulaySchool Library Journal praised My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay with a very positive review that noted the book as “a great way to continue building diverse library collections for all readers.”

The book is written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. About the illustration, SLJ said: “Bright, colorful illustrations on a clean white backdrop are crisp and clear and mesh seamlessly with the text.”

Kirkus reviews One Plastic Bag illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

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one plastic bagKirkus expressed praise for One Plastic Bag, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon.

This inspiring book tells the story of a Gambian woman who comes up with an ingenious way to repurpose plastic bags to deal with their difficulty of disposal. Kirkus called the book “a welcome addition to the small shelf of examples of ingenuity in developing nations” and commented that Elizabeth Zunon’s collage illustrations “fittingly … make use of colorful papers and plastic bags. These reveal the labor involved and show the women’s joy in the results of their work.”

 

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer by Frank Morrison


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New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing Includes Frank Morrison, K.G. Campbell, & Ashley Spires

December 30, 2014
The New York Public Library’s end-of-year list, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, includes The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell, and Frank Morrison‘s illustrated reader Ballerina Dreams.  Also selected was The Most Magnificent Thing, a picture book by Painted Words’ newest author-illustrator, Ashley Spires.  Congrats K.G., Frank, and Ashley on this great honor!

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer by Frank Morrison available now

October 29, 2014

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer, written by Elaine and Michaela DePrince and illustrated by Frank Morrison, is available to buy. The book is based on the true story of Michaela DePrince, one of the top ballerinas in the United States.

Michaela’s story starts with a three-year-old orphan living in Sierra Leone who discovers a picture of a ballerina. That single image inspired a dream that saw Michaela take up ballet after being adopted and moving to America. Even now, as a principal dancer in New York City who has been featured in documentaries, television shows, and, of course, countless dance performances, Michaela still remembers that photograph.

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer is an inspirational story written for readers who are new to reading independently and are improving their reading confidence. Containing both photographs and beautiful illustrations by Frank Morrison, this book is an uplifting read that will inspire readers to reach for their own dreams.

Find it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer by Frank Morrison available now

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ballerina dreamsBallerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer, written by Elaine and Michaela DePrince and illustrated by Frank Morrison, is available to buy. The book is based on the true story of Michaela DePrince, one of the top ballerinas in the United States.

Michaela’s story starts with a three-year-old orphan living in Sierra Leone who discovers a picture of a ballerina. That single image inspired a dream that saw Michaela take up ballet after being adopted and moving to America. Even now, as a principal dancer in New York City who has been featured in documentaries, television shows, and, of course, countless dance performances, Michaela still remembers that photograph.

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer is an inspirational story written for readers who are new to reading independently and are improving their reading confidence. Containing both photographs and beautiful illustrations by Frank Morrison, this book is an uplifting read that will inspire readers to reach for their own dreams.

Find it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers by Steve Adams


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Geekwrapped’s List of 100 Science Books for Kids Includes Five of Our Artists’ Books

April 24, 2017

Geekwrapped, a website that recommends gifts for the geeks and science enthusiasts in your life, recently compiled a list of one hundred best science books for children. Five of our author and illustrator’s books were included on this list, including three written and illustrated by Gene Barretta! These books included…

Geekwrapped’s full list of science books for children can be found here.

ASHLEY SPIRES’ THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THING AND IF…, ILLUS. BY STEVE ADAMS, FINALISTS IN THE 2015 CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTRE AWARDS

September 11, 2015
The finalists have been announced for the 2015 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards, and Ashley Spires and Steve Adams have books on the list.  Ashley’s The Most Magnificent Thing and Steve’s If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers are both up for the  TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. Congrats Steve and Ashley! Read the full list here. 

EUREKA GOLD AWARD FOR STEVE ADAMS’ IF: A MIND-BENDING NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT BIG IDEAS AND NUMBERS

October 22, 2014

If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers, written by David J. Smith and illustrated by Steve Adams, has received a Eureka! Gold award.

The Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award was established by the California Reading Association as a way to highlight excellent nonfiction children’s books for teachers, librarians, and parents to assist them with choosing books for their students and children.

In the Honor Awards section, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Painted Words illustrator Frank Morrison gained recognition.

Check out If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers on Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Congratulations Steve (and Frank!)

Eureka Gold award for Steve Adams’ If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers

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CAEurikaLogo_BWaltfinalIf: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers, written by David J. Smith and illustrated by Steve Adams, has received a Eureka! Gold award.

The Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award was established by the California Reading Association as a way to highlight excellent nonfiction children’s books for teachers, librarians, and parents to assist them with choosing books for their students and children.

In the Honor Awards section, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Painted Words illustrator Frank Morrison gained recognition.

Check out If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers on Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Congratulations Steve (and Frank!)

Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s We Shall Overcome wins Jane Addams Honor

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janeWe Shall Overcome, written by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, has been named a Jane Addams Honor Book in the Books for Younger Children category.

The Jane Addams awards are designed to honor excellent children’s books that promote peace, social justice, racial equality, world community, and equality between the sexes.

This year was the 61st year of the awards, and the award ceremony was held October 17 in New York.

Named for the song of the same title, We Shall Overcome explores the civil rights anthem and emphasizes the power of community.

Buy We Shall Overcome at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Congratulations, Vanessa and Debbie!