Connie Schofield-Morrison spoke with The Brown Bookshelf about her journey to publishing her first book, I Got the Rhythm, illustrated by her husband Frank Morrison. She discusses her inspirations for the character in the book, her writing process, and her role in running Frank’s business, Morrison Graphics. This interesting and inspiring Q&A is part of The Brown Bookshelf’s “28 Days Later” series, ” a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade and Young Adult novels written and illustrated by African Americans.” Read the full interview here.
Feb
03
I Got the Rhythm author Connie Schofield-Morrison Talks with The Brown Bookshelf
Feb
02
Frank Morrison Wins a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Congratulations to Frank Morrison, winner of a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. The award was announced today by the American Library Association at its Midwestern Meeting in Chicago.
Frank was recognized in 2004 by the Coretta Scott King Award committee for his illustrations in Jazzy Miz Mozetta, winner of a John Steptoe Award for New Talent.
Jan
30
Poems in the Attic, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Poems in the Attic, illus. by Liz Zunon, praised by The Dragon Lode
July 8, 2016
The spring 2016 edition of The Dragon Lode highlighted new poetry books, and one of the books they reviewed was Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Liz Zunon. The Dragon Lode praised, of course, the poems in the book, and the way they highlight connections between families, memories, and places, particularly for a family that moves frequently. They called Poems in the Attic, “A fine tribute to…how poetry can be a comfort and an outlet.”
Poems in the Attic, illus. by Liz Zunon, Included on Boston Public Schools’ Summer Reading List
July 1, 2016
Boston Public Schools released lists of recommended summer reading for the summer of 2016. Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Liz Zunon, was included on the reading list for grades 3-5. Poems in the Attic tells of a young girl’s connection to her family through generations of poems. Congrats, Liz and Nikki!
You can find the full list of recommended summer reading here under 2016 Summer Reading Lists. You can order Poems in the Attic online here.
Kirkus names Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, one of the Best Books of 2015
December 11, 2015
Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, made Kirkus’s list of Best Books of 2015 in the Middle School Books category! The beautiful story tells about a little girl’s connection with her family history through poetry and has already won several awards. The full list of winners for the middle school category can be found here, and Poems in the Attic can be purchased here.
Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, nominated for a Texas Bluebonnet Award
November 6, 2015
Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, was recently nominated to the 2015-2016 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. The Texas Bluebonnet Award is a program aimed at encouraging reading in grades three through six, and allows students to vote for their favorite book. It’s one of the most prestigious programs in the country, and has been running since the early 1980’s! The winner will be announced in February.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Zunon and Nikki Grimes! Poems in the Attic can be purchased here. Here’s the Master List for 2015 to 2016.
LA Times’ “30 Summer Books That Kids Will Gobble Up” List Features Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon
June 4, 2015
The LA Times includedPoems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, on its list “30 Summer Books that Kids Will Gobble Up.” The book is due out June 10th. Check out the full list here for all your summer beach reading needs.
Poems in the Attic Praised by Publishers Weekly
May 27, 2015
Poems in the Attic received yet another wonderful review, this time from Publishers Weekly. They wrote, “Fully in step with Grimes’s empathic writing, Zunon’s (One Plastic Bag) warmly painted collages carry readers from the waterways of Virginia to a German castle atop a hill, highlighting the powerful emotional ties between the girl and her elders, as well as her mother’s adventurous spirit.”
The New York Times Reviews Poems in the Attic
May 6, 2015
“Lives of the Poets,” a New York Times article on poetry in children’s book new releases, included a glowing review of Poems in the Attic (Lee & Low Books). Written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, Poems in the Attic is about a young girl who discovers letters her mother wrote when she was a child, traveling the world as an “Air Force brat.” The reviewer applauds Elizabeth’s artwork, writing, “[her] warm, bright illustrations provide a cheerful balance.”
Poems in the Attic will be available in stores everywhere on May 15, or you can pre-order a copy here.
Poems in the Attic reviewed in The Horn Book
April 9, 2015
The Horn Book Magazine has selected Poems in the Attic to appear in the May/June issue, accompanied by an enthusiastic review.
“Each page turn is like opening that old box in the attic—you never know what is coming next,” said The Horn Book.
Elizabeth Zunon’s illustrations of the book were also lauded, and The Horn Book wrote, “Pink-toned acrylic and oil illustrations are enhanced by cut-paper and fabric collage, allowing readers to imagine seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska, go hiking in Germany, or smell the cherry blossoms in Japan.”
Poems in the Attic reviewed in School Library Journal
March 26, 2015
In a recent review of Poems in the Attic, the School Library Journal praised the collection of poems illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon as “sweet and accessible but never simplistic.”
“Rendered in acrylic, oil, and collage, Zunon’s warm, vibrant illustrations complement the text perfectly,” wrote the School Library Journal.
Kirkus Starred Review for Poems in the Attic
March 2, 2015
Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, received advance praise from Kirkus with a starred review. From the review: “Succinct poetry shines in this impassioned celebration of history; the stories of this African-American family traveling the globe are rich with heart and color.” The book will be released from Lee & Low this May. Read the full review online here.
Poems in the Attic reviewed in Yellow Brick Road
January 30, 2015
Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, was reviewed in the November/December issue of the Yellow Brick Road newsletter. In the book, a girl finds poems her mother wrote as a child, and the book was praised for speaking “deeply to individual and intergenerational experiences.”
Jan
30
Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, receives Charlotte Zolotow Award
Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, written by Thelma Godin and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, was chosen as a Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Title for 2015. The CCBC Charlotte Zolotow Award recognizes outstanding picture books for children. More information about the award can be found here.
Jan
30
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison, named Notable Book for Global Society
Illustrated by Frank Morrison and written by Katheryn Russell-Brown, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone was named as one of the 2015 Notable Books for a Global Society by the CL/R SIG (Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group). The book was described by the committee as a “boldly beautiful portrayal of jazz legend Melba Liston, joyful movement bursts from the pages as Melba plays, composes, arranges and celebrates music across America, Europe and Asia.” More information and the complete list of books here.
Jan
30
Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, reviewed in Yellow Brick Road
Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, was reviewed in the November/December issue of the Yellow Brick Road newsletter. In the book, a girl finds poems her mother wrote as a child, and the book was praised for speaking “deeply to individual and intergenerational experiences.”
Jan
30
My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, illus. by Vanessa Brantley Newton, Reviewed in The New York Times
My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, was reviewed in The New York Times’ Sunday Book Review. The review praised Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s “wonderfully spirited” illustrations, and say My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay is “refreshing in its casual approach to racial diversity.” Read the full review here.
Jan
14
Barroux’s Line of Fire
Barroux’s Line of Fire Now a Musical in the UK
January 14, 2015
Last year Barroux‘s widely-acclaimed graphic novel Line of Fire was adapted into a sell-out theater show in France, which is now touring in the UK. The “musical-drawing ‘spectacle'” features Barroux painting live on stage with music performed by electric guitarist Julien Jubert. Like the book, the musical explores the experiences of a WWI soldier, whose diary Barroux happened upon one day in the streets of Paris. View a clip from the show below and read more about Line of Fire here.
Jan
14
Barroux’s Line of Fire Now a Musical in the UK
Last year Barroux‘s widely-acclaimed graphic novel Line of Fire was adapted into a sell-out theater show in France, which is now touring in the UK. The “musical-drawing ‘spectacle'” features Barroux painting live on stage with music performed by electric guitarist Julien Jubert. Like the book, the musical explores the experiences of a WWI soldier, whose diary Barroux happened upon one day in the streets of Paris. View a clip from the show below and read more about Line of Fire here.
Jan
12
Lend a Hand, illus. by London Ladd, Praised by Washington Parent Magazine
Lend a Hand, featuring London Ladd’s illustrations, was reviewed by Washington Parent Magazine in their “Mixed Media” newsletter. From the review: “The importance of unity and collective responsibility are vividly portrayed in these 14 free-verse poems and beautiful artwork…With its focus on young people engaged in small acts of kindness, this book makes for a perfect family read-aloud.” Read more here.