Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, has been named a 2016 Notable Children’s Book: Middle Reader by the American Library Association. The full list can be viewed here.
Congrats London on this terrific honor!
January 13, 2016
Sewing Stories, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, is the wonderful picture book biography of Harriet Powers, a little-known artist born into slavery in rural Georgia. The book was released in late 2015 by Random House Children’s Books to praise from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and was recently featured on SLJ’s list “Celebrating African Americans: The Arts.” The list features recent picture book biographies that introduce young readers to “noteworthy African Americans who have defined their place in the world by following their passions and pursuing their art. The full list can be viewed here.
Praise for Sewing Stories:
“A much-needed introduction to the life of a little known African American artist, with many possible curriculum connections: artists, quilters, women’s history, and the Civil War.”–School Library Journal
“As a picture-book introduction to an unsung artist, it inspires. Harriet Powers: an artist worth knowing.”–Kirkus Reviews
Sewing Stories, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, is the wonderful picture book biography of Harriet Powers, a little-known artist born into slavery in rural Georgia. The book was released in late 2015 by Random House Children’s Books to praise from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and was recently featured on SLJ’s list “Celebrating African Americans: The Arts.” The list features recent picture book biographies that introduce young readers to “noteworthy African Americans who have defined their place in the world by following their passions and pursuing their art. The full list can be viewed here.
Praise for Sewing Stories:
“A much-needed introduction to the life of a little known African American artist, with many possible curriculum connections: artists, quilters, women’s history, and the Civil War.”–School Library Journal
“As a picture-book introduction to an unsung artist, it inspires. Harriet Powers: an artist worth knowing.”–Kirkus Reviews
February 18, 2016
Ashley Spire‘s new children book, Over-Scheduled Andrew, was recently reviewed by The New York Times. Over-Scheduled Andrew is the cautionary tale of a little bird who signs up for way too many clubs and classes at school. The New York Times praises Ashley’s “digitally drawn creatures…with big heads and tiny paws and wings” and her “small details,” and remarks on the timeliness of her message in this age of over-scheduled children, calling it, “a sneaky kind of cautionary tale.” You can read the full review on The New York Times website and you can buy Over-Scheduled Andrew online here.
January 13, 2016
Ashley Spires‘ Over-Scheduled Andrew was released by Tundra Books this week. In this sequel to Edie’s Ensembles, Andrew and Edie return in a cautionary tale that Kirkus calls a “tongue-in-cheek take on an all-too-common plight.” When Andrew signs up for too many extracurricular activities, he learns the trouble in spreading oneself too thin. Publishers Weekly writes, “While the premise of the overcommitted child has been explored before…Spires makes it her own, bringing a playful touch to her writing and artwork. In fact, insofar as this is a message book, the real takeaway is less ‘know your limits’ than ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.'”
You can read the Kirkus review here, and the Publishers Weekly review here. Over-Scheduled Andrew was also featured on CBC Canada’s Spring 2016 Book Preview.
Purchase a copy of the book here.
Ashley Spires‘ Over-Scheduled Andrew was released by Tundra Books this week. In this sequel to Edie’s Ensembles, Andrew and Edie return in a cautionary tale that Kirkus calls a “tongue-in-cheek take on an all-too-common plight.” When Andrew signs up for too many extracurricular activities, he learns the trouble in spreading oneself too thin. Publishers Weekly writes, “While the premise of the overcommitted child has been explored before…Spires makes it her own, bringing a playful touch to her writing and artwork. In fact, insofar as this is a message book, the real takeaway is less ‘know your limits’ than ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.'”
You can read the Kirkus review here, and the Publishers Weekly review here. Over-Scheduled Andrew was also featured on CBC Canada’s Spring 2016 Book Preview.
Purchase a copy of the book here.
One Plastic Bag, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon and written by Miranda Paul, has been included on the 2016 Amelia Bloomer List which celebrates “Recommended Feminist Literature for Birth through 18.” One Plastic Bag tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay who started a recycling movement in her village in Gambia by inspiring women to turn plastic bags into plastic purses. This tale is the perfect book to empower young girls to dream big and create change.
Visit the full list here.
Congrats Elizabeth and Miranda!
Sarah Dillard‘s new chapter book series Mouse Scouts is now available from Knopf Books for Young Readers. The first two books in the series, Mouse Scouts and Mouse Scouts Make A Difference were released simultaneously at the beginning of the month. Kirkus calls the books “a welcome series for new readers.”
Order your copies here.
Kirkus gave a wonderful review of I Can Dance and I Can Play, toddler board books written and illustrated by Betsy Snyder. Both books feature cut-outs where children can subsitute their own fingers for dancers’ legs and arms. Kirkus writes, “This is an appropriately brief, appealing title with a simple bit of interactivity that toddlers will appreciate.” The books are described as, “Encouraging activity on multiple levels, a good choice for toddler board-book collections.”
Check out the full review for yourself here!
You can order your own copy of I Can Dance here and I Can Play here.
Race Car Count, illustrated by Michael Slack and written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, received a great review in Publishers Weekly. They write, “The book’s bouncy rhymes and Matchbox-worthy vehicles (spoilers and bulging hot-red engines abound) combine to create a lively race with some tense back-and-forth moments.” You can pre-order a copy of the book here.
More praise for Race Car Count:
“The flash and thrill of the race car track-it’s all here in a zippy counting book just right for the toddler set. . . .When the cars line up for another race, children will cheer.” – Kirkus Reviews
With Christmas just a few months away, now is the perfect time to pick up Lucie Crovatto’s “Peppermint Penguin” fabric from Studio e! This adorable holiday-themed line includes ice skating penguins, skiing polar bears and reindeer! To purchase, click here. For a free Peppermint Penguins Piece Quilt pattern, visit Studio e’s website here.