Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Keith Henry Brown is a Junior Library Guild selection. The book tells the inspiring story of the friendship between Congressman John Lewis and ten-year-old activist Tybre Faw. The book will be published in March 2022.

Pre Order Because of You, John Lewis here

Above the Rim (Abrams) by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison, has won the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Orbis Pictus Award. The award was established in 1989 to promote and recognize excellence in writing of nonfiction for children. Orbis Pictus commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius: Orbis Pictus; The World in Pictures (1658), considered to be the first book actually planned for children.

See the announcement here

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School Libary Journal has given Coqui in the City (Dial) by Nomar Perez a rave review. See the full review below!

PreS-Gr 2–Miguel loves listening to his abuelito’s stories, sharing meals with his family, and playing baseball with his friends and pet frog, Coquí. When Miguel and his parents have to move to the U.S. mainland, he has to leave so much that he loves in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Once in New York City, he is uncertain and misses his home, Miguel agrees to go out to explore their new neighborhood with Mamá. As they find familiar things they love—empanadillas, a baseball field, and even a pond full of frogs like Coquí—New York City begins to feel much more like home. Vibrant, colorful illustrations depict the life and beauty of Puerto Rico and the rich diversity that can be found in Miguel’s new neighborhood. The text is available in English and Spanish editions and conveys the excitement, sadness, and new possibilities that Miguel experiences. This is a wonderful book with a comforting message, perfect for sharing with young readers who are experiencing big changes. Miguel is light-skinned. VERDICT A strong choice for all collections.–Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston

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Sharuko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri has made The Today Show’s list of 23 beautiful kids’ books to celebrate and honor Hispanic Heritage. The list was created by panelists Meg Medina, the Newbery award-winning author of “Merci Suárez Can’t Dance”; Caldecott honoree Yuyi Morales, author of “Bright Star”; #DignidadLiteraria co-founder David Bowles, author of “My Two Border Towns”; and Pura Belpré Award-winning poet Margarita Engle, author of “A Song of Frutas.

See the full list here

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Shelf Awareness calls Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook) by Alyssa Bermudez  “a playfully illustrated graphic memoir that takes the form of journal entries by Bermudez’s instantly empathetic middle-school self as she navigates tweenhood and the tragedy of 9/11.”

The review goes on to say  “Big Apple Diaries is a beautiful snapshot of preteen life.”

Read the full review here

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In an interview on CBS This Morning, Cynthia Erivo discussed her new album, and her new children’s book Remember to Dream, Ebere (Little Brown), illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.

The book will be on sale September 28.

See the full interview here

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In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, The Los Angeles Library will be hosting a panel discussion with  award-winning illustrators and authors Isol, Rafael Lopez and Elisa Chavarri. They will show us how to draw one of their characters and talk about their illustrations and the stories behind them.

This L.A. Libros Fest event will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

Learn more here