Beth Mill‘s picture book Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen has been selected as the Picture Book winner for the Writer’s League of Texas Book Awards. The book has also been named an honor recipient of the ILA (International Literacy Association) 2020 Children’s and Young Adults Book Award in fiction. Congratulations Beth!

Congratulations to Frank Morrison, an Original Art 2020 Honoree, winning a silver medal in the Society of Illustrators annual exhibit for R-E-S-P-E-C-T, He is also a featured artist for The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver, written by Gene Barretta.

Further congratulations to Original Art 2020 Featured Artists Elise Gravel for The Mosquito, and Brittany Jackson for Parker Looks Up.   

Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison and published by Abrams, has recieved its 3rd starred review. The Hornbook Magazine says:

With lively verse and elegant oil paintings, Bryant and Morrison masterfully place Baylor’s midair “slashing, crashing, gliding” basketball heroics in the context of his times.

You can get your copy of the book here

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Liz Zunon, published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, is featured in the Today Show’s shopping guide for best gifts for one-year-olds.

In this book, Mommy’s little one is not sleepy, and growls, hunts and hides like a wild beast.

See the Today Show’s list here

Get your copy of Bedtime for Sweet Creatures here

Happy book birthday to Kitties on Dinosaurs, Michael Slack’s newest book, published by Dial Books (Penguin Random House), a sweet tale about kitties looking for their next conquest to climb: Dinosaurs. Kirkus says, “Slack’s jokey, cajoling narration adds to the fun of this silly romp. The digitally painted illustrations of round-eyed kitties and toothy cartoon dinos will entice fans of both to read or listen.” And Publishers Weekly adds that Slack’s “textured, motion-focused digital art in mellow tones complements the feisty, big-eyed kitties’ nonstop action. An absurd conceit bolsters a lively story that encourages ambition, tenacity, creative problem-solving, and cuddling.”

Order now here

Read Kirkus’ review here

Read Publisher Weekly’s review here

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow’s newly illustrated book, Born Ready, written by Jodie Patterson and published by Crown Books (Penguin Random House), is the story of Jodie Patterson’s transgender son’s experience. Patterson shares her son Penelope’s frustrations and triumphs on his journey to share himself with the world. Penelope’s experiences show children that it always makes you stronger when you are true to yourself and who you really are. Coming out April 2021, it is now out for pre-order!

Pre-order your copy here

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow is featured on The Children Book Podcast by Matthew C. Winner. She talks about her book Just Like a Mama and what it means to be bonded by love rather than genetics. Check the podcast out here

And be sure to listen to Charnelle Pinkney Barlow’s interview with the Writer’s Rumpus, too!

Check out the interview here

Get your copy of Just Like a Mama here

Elisa Chavarri’s newly illustrated book, Sharuko: Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello, has made it on School Library Journal’s Latinx Luminaries list. The list showcases picture book biographies featuring Latinx superstars. Congrats Elisa!

Read the list here

Buy the book here

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta and illustrated by Frank Morrison has made it on the School Library Journal’s #BlackinSTEM list. The list highlights 17 nonfiction books that spotlight Black scientists, thinkers, and inventors.

Read the full list here

Buy the book here