A Diverse group of award-winning illustrators & authors creating across many industries.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison, Meet-the-Author Book Reading

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

FM C 054TeachingBooks.net has produced a special “Meet-the-Author” audio clip from Frank Morrison.  In the segment, Frank introduces Little Melba and Her Big Trombone and shares some background information on how he became the illustrator for the book. This is a wonderful resource for teachers and students studying Little Melba and Her Big Trombone Click here to listen!

Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren is a CYBILS 2014 Finalist

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken is a finalist in the category of Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books for the CYBILS Awards, or Children’s & Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards. The CYBILS honor authors and illustrators whose books “combine the highest literary merit and popular appeal.”  Good luck to our favorite Super Chicken, Warren!

Learn more about the awards & Sarah’s fellow finalists here.

 

New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing Includes Frank Morrison, K.G. Campbell, & Ashley Spires

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

The New York Public Library’s end-of-year list, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, includes The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell, and Frank Morrison‘s illustrated reader Ballerina Dreams.  Also selected was The Most Magnificent Thing, a picture book by Painted Words’ newest author-illustrator, Ashley Spires.  Congrats K.G., Frank, and Ashley on this great honor!

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Horn Book praises Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

melbaMore praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone came from The Horn Book this week, with a fantastic review that details precisely why this gorgeous book contains an important story.

Little Melba appears as one of The Horn Book’s ‘recommended books’, praising illustrator Frank Morrison‘s stunning artwork: “Morrison’s oil paintings, in his trademark elongated, angular style, perfectly convey the jazz scene and, of course, Melba’s amazing horn.”

The Horn Book joins a list of other publications in its praise of the book. Little Melba and Her Big Trombone received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal.

Shadra Strickland talks diversity at Baltimore Book Fest


Shadra Strickland spoke in two panel discussions about diversity this weekend at the Baltimore Book Festival and at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) author pavilion. Both panels focused on diversity in children’s books, and featured a wealth of authors and illustrators taking part in the conversation.

Eric Comstock’s “YesterGear” line for The Land of Nod

by Claire Easton in Licensing Comments: 0

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YesterGear

The Land of Nod “YesterGear” line, designed by Eric Comstock, is now available! The retro-inspired plush toys that make up “YesterGear” include a flash camera, an old-fashioned TV set, a rotary phone, a boom box, and a record player, creating a stylish toy collection for hip kids everywhere.  Take a blast to the past with these toys and other products by Eric Comstock by visiting the Land of Nod website.   Also by Eric Comstock for The Land of Nod is the “Plushville On the Go Play Set.”

Two New Picture Books from Vanessa Brantley Newton!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Untitled-2 61BeLKO7EtL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_This summer saw the release of two new books from illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton: Thanksgiving for Emily Ann (Cartwheel Press) and I Can Do It! (Little Golden Books).  Vanessa’s warm, vintage-inspired illustrations will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy these heartwarming stories.

Betsy Snyder’s “Woodland Baby” line for Papyrus

by Claire Easton in Licensing Comments: 0

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Betsy Snyder’s Woodland Baby collection has been produced by Papyrus in an assortment of baby products, including photo albums and frames, note sets, greeting cards, gift bags, and more. Visit the Papryus website to view all of the available products.  Woodland Baby plush and growth charts coming soon!

Little Melba Listed in the Huffington Post’s “50 New Picture Books for Fall 2014”

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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More praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone! The book was included in The Huffington Post’s “50 New Picture Books for Fall 2014” list, alongside some terrific new children’s books. The list even included a spread from the book of Frank Morrison’s beautiful art. View the full list here.

Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day by Sarah Dillard

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

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Sarah Dillard, Frank Morrison and Josee Masse featured on Curious City blog’s 2014 Best Of list

December 09, 2014

The Curious City blog picked three Painted Words artists for its best children’s books of 2014 line-up. The three titles are Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day by Sarah Dillard, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison, and What Ship is Not a Ship? by Josee Masse.

Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day  was deemed the “best excuse to don a cape.”

Frank Morrison’s Little Melba and Her Big Trombone was dubbed “best girl tooting her own horn.”

Josee Masse’s What Ship is Not a Ship? was praised for its “best use of word play.”

Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day is available now

Oct. 8, 2014
The delightful follow up to Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren is now available from Aladdin books at Simon & Schuster.Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day reunites readers with the eponymous chicken and his new sidekick, Egg, as they embark on another quirky adventure that combines imaginative storytelling with eye-catching art.In this installment, super-chicken Warren is thrilled to get a sidekick – Egg is newly hatched, very curious, and asks a lotof questions. When Warren tells him about his dream to fly all over the world – and even to the moon – Egg is enchanted.

The next day, Egg gets up before everybody else and decides to try out flying for himself. Amazingly, he takes off and flies through the air, but ends up going where no chicken has gone before: across the road.

When Warren eventually realizes Egg is missing, he searches high and low for his new friend until it appears there’s only one way he could’ve gone. With Egg missing and presumably helpless, however, it’s up to Warren to use his extraordinary powers to find him, even if it involves… crossing the road.

Described in a Kirkus review as “charming” and where “almost every page has a small, lovely moment”, Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day will captivate readers and serves as a quality addition to Dillard’s series.

Find it at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Advanced Praise for Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day

Sept. 15, 2014 

Our favorite super chicken, Warren, and his sidekick Egg, return in Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day, coming out October 14.  The sequel to Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren, features a chicken crossing the road and other epic adventures. In an advanced review, Kirkus wrote, “Any philosophical questions readers ever had about chickens are addressed in this graphic novel.” Philosophy and chicken puns wrapped up in Sarah’s endearing graphic art- a recipe for an all-around charming read.

Pre-order your copy here.