“Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano/Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello,”(Lee & Low) illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, written by Monica Brown has been named a Belpré Illustrator Honor Book by the American Library Association. The Pura Belpré Awards honor a Latinx writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. Congratulations Elisa!
See the full list of the ALA Awards here
You can get the book here
The American Library Association has awarded the Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award to R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Simon & Schuster) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. The Coretta Scott King awards recognize African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Congratulations Frank!
See the full list of the ALA Awards here
Get the book here
The Aquanaut (Tundra Books) by Jill Heinerth, illustrated by Jaime Kim was released on January 19 2021 and is already garnering accolades.
Scuba News says Jaime Kim’s luminous art transports readers back and forth through time to see how Jill’s imagination as a young girl laid the pathway to her accomplishments and experiences as an underwater explorer.
Mutually Inclusive Books says “The illustrations in this book are absolute perfection! Somehow Jaime Kim perfectly captures the comparisons of Young Jill’s dreams and Adult Jill’s achievements, while simultaneously creating the perfect calming atmosphere for young readers to reflect on their own dreams. It’s genius!”
Also of interest is the author’s article in Canadian Graphic.
Congratulations Jaime!
You can get the book here
Brave and Kind Bookshop is hosting a Lunchtime Story Time with Nikki Grimes and Elizabeth Zunon, creators of Off to See the Sea (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) Tuesday January 19 at 12:00 pm EST. Register for the event here
My Little Golden Book about Frida Kahlo (Penguin Random House) by Sylvia Lopez and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri will be published January 12, 2021.
Congratulations Elisa!
Get the book here
Nelvana and Discovery have greenlit a second season of the redknot series “Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe”. The playful series is based on the best-selling graphic novels by Ashley Spires. Season 1 was nominated for Kidscreen Award’s Best new Preschool Series in 2020. The first season is available on Treehouse On-Demand.
Get the book that started it all here
Flora and Ulysses, a live action movie based on the Newbury Award winning book of the same name by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by K.G. Campbell is coming to Disney Plus February 19!
Get the book here
Erika Jone’s piece “It’s Raining Joy” was selected to be featured in the 26th Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition, which is hosted by the African American Museum of Dallas. The exhibition opens December 17, 2020 and closes June 25, 2021. Erika is one of thirty artists chosen to participate this year. Congratulations Erika!
See more about the Museum and the Exhibition here
School Library Journal reviews There Goes Patti McGee! (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) by Tootie Nienow, illustrated by Erika Medina in the January 21 issue. The book is a biography of the first professional female skateboarder. SLJ calls the book “An inspirational read-aloud.”
Read the full review here
The book will be released February 23, 2021. You can pre-order it here
Just Like Mama (Simon & Schuster) by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, Above the Rim (Abrams) by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison and Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Sourcebook/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon have been named to the African American Children’s Book Project’s list of Best Picture Books of 2020. Congratulations Charnelle, Frank and Liz!
See the full list here