Midnight Teacher illust. by London Ladd on NYPL Best Books for Kids 2018 List

November 21, 2018

Each year, the New York Public Library compiles a list of “outstanding children’s titles,” and this year, Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School illustrated by London Ladd is featured on that list! The historical fiction picture book received a starred review from Kirkus earlier this year, which admired Ladd’s “detailed, realistic illustrations” and described the book as “an excellent homage to an African-American woman who taught ahead of her time.”

You can grab your copy of Midnight Teacher here and view the full NYPL Best Books for Kids 2018 list here.

Two Books From Painted Words Artists Win 2018 Parents’ Choice Awards

June 11, 2018

Congratulations to Jaime Kim and London Ladd, who illustrated books that have received 2018 Parents’ Choice Awards! Kim’s La La La: A Story of Hope, written by Kate DiCamillo, has won a Parents’ Choice Gold Award, and Ladd’s Midnight Teacher: Lily Ann Granderson and Her Secret School received a Parents’ Choice Silver Award. You can view the complete winners list here and don’t forget to grab a copy of La La La here and Midnight Teacher here.

Midnight Teacher, Illust. by London Ladd Released Today

February 6, 2018

Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by London Ladd is available for purchase today! The nonfiction picture book, which received a Kirkus Starred Review ahead of its release, relates the history of the courageous enslaved woman who held secret classes to educate fellow enslaved people. Teaching hundreds of enslaved individuals to read and write, Granderson’s story is inspirational, and beautifully portrayed through Halfmann’s prose, coupled with Ladd’s realistic illustrations.

Purchase your copy here today!

Great Publishers Weekly Review for Midnight Teacher, Illus. by London Ladd

December 20, 2017

Publishers Weekly shared a review of upcoming biographical picture book Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School. Written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by London Ladd, Midnight Teacher recounts the story of a woman born into slavery whose determination and bravery led to the literacy of countless slaves. Publishers Weekly praises London Ladd’s “rich, naturalistic” images and remarks on the “painful but uplifting” nature of the inspirational narrative.

Publishers Weekly’s full review is available here. Midnight Teacher is coming out February 6, 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.

Kirkus Starred Review for Midnight Teacher, Illus. by London Ladd

December 4, 2017

Coming out in February 2018, Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School is the true story of an amazing woman. Written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by London Ladd, Midnight Teacher tells the story of Lilly Ann Granderson, a woman living in slavery who ran a secret school to teach her fellow slaves how to read, despite the high potential for punishment.

Kirkus reviewed Midnight Teacher and gave it a starred review. They praised the importance of the story, calling it a “remarkable, true story.” They write of London’s illustrations, “[The] picture book’s detailed, realistic illustrations were created using acrylic paint and colored pencil. Ladd’s artwork shows Lilly Ann’s determination to improve lives through literacy and will also familiarize readers with the book’s historical settings.” In all, they conclude that Midnight Teacher is, “An excellent homage to an African-American woman who taught ahead of her time.”

Kirkus’s full starred review is available here. Midnight Teacher is coming out February 6th. Pre-order it here!

Kirkus Praises Gene Barretta’s The Bat Can Bat

December 4, 2017

Gene Barretta‘s newest picture book is a continuation of his series on word play. Having previously examined homographs and homophones, he has now moved on to homonyms with The Bat Can Bat: A Book of True Homonyms. A humorous examination of words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, The Bat Can Bat was recently reviewed by Kirkus.

Kirkus praises the hilarious illustrations and the clever explanation of this difficult concept. They write, “Barretta is a master of wordplay…and his hugely expressive, brightly hued watercolor cartoons certainly depict both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, all with endless humor and charm.” They also praise the educational quality of the book which teaches without lecturing, writing, “Youngsters will laugh out loud while they are unconsciously, painlessly learning.”

Kirkus’s full review is available here. The Bat Can Bat is coming out this February and can be pre-ordered online here.