Lend a Hand Illust. by London Ladd Chosen as Action Book Club Selection

August 6, 2018

Congratulations to London Ladd, who illustrated Lend a Hand, which has been chosen as an Action Book Club Selection from the Little Free Library! The Action Book Club, a program of the Little Free Library nonprofit, combines reading with social engagement. In a twist on the traditional book club, the Action Book Club invites participants to read books on a particular theme, engage in lively discussions, and take part in meaningful group projects to benefit their communities. The Action Book Club offers book recommendations for adults, middle readers, and young readers, with a new theme announced twice a year. The theme that corresponds with Lend a Hand was “Everyday Heroes”. You can see the full list of books here and grab your copy of Lend a Hand here.

Lend A Hand Wins the IRA Social Justice Literacy Award

August 7, 2015

Lend A Hand, illustrated by London Ladd, was awarded the 2015 Social Justice Literacy Award by the International Reading Association. The Social Justice Literacy Award was created in 2013 to recognize books that “address social responsibility towards individuals, communities, societies, and/or the environment as well as invite reflection and socially responsible action by the reader.” Congratulations to London on this terrific honor!

Lend A Hand, illus. by London Ladd, Makes Delware Diamonds 2015-16

July 20, 2015

Lend a Hand, illustrated by London Ladd and written by John Frank, was selected for inclusion on the Delaware Diamonds 2015-2016 Titles 3-5 List.  The winners are voted on by students in Delaware. More information regarding the award program can be found on their website.

The praise keeps coming in for Katheryn Russell-Brown’s and Frank Morrison’s picture book, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone.  The book was a School Library Journal selection as a Top Picks for Children’s Books for the month of July, and received three starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews!

From the School Library Journal starred review:

“An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story…Morrison’s distinctive illustrations, stretched out like a slide trombone, draw the eye across each spread to the page turn.”

Publishers Weekly:

“Morrison’s oil paintings practically sway with a jazz beat, though somber moments crop up, too: the shadows on Liston’s face signify the trials of life on the road. A final image showing long-limbed Liston in profile as she plays under the glow of stage lights is exquisite.”

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison, Featured in List of Recommended Black History Month Children’s Books

February 19, 2016

February is Black History Month, and in honor of that, the online magazine Bold and Fearless made a list of 28 Books Every Black Girl Should Read This Black History Month. Not only did Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, make this list, it’s the featured book! Little Melba tells the story of Melba Doretta Liston, a famed African American jazz musician in the 1900s, and it’s a great book for celebrating Black History Month. For the other recommended Black History books, check out the full list here. You can purchase Little Melba and Her Big Trombone online here.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison, receives praise from the Read It Real Good Blog

December 18, 2015

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russel Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison,  recently received a wonderful review from the Read It Real Good blog! Little Melba tells the story of a black female Jazz musician and her quest from childhood to adulthood to become a successful trombone player. Read It Real Good praised Little Melba for its diversity and for Frank Morrison’s “dynamic” art, writing that “His oil paintings embody jazz.”

You can read the whole review on the blog, and Little Melba can be purchased online here!

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison, Chosen for Grade 4 Reading List by NYC Reads 365

November 20, 2015

NYC Reads 365 chose Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russel Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, for its recommended reading list for grade 4. NYC Reads 365 is a program to encourage reading in both the children and adults of New York. Find out more about the program and the other winners here.

The Horn Book Includes Little Melba on its List of Recommended books about Jazz

May 6, 2015

More praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, which made a huge splash this fall when Frank Morrison won a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor and an NAACP Image Award nomination. Now, the book is included on The Horn Book Magazine’s list of recommended books about jazz. “Frank Morrison’s elongated, angular oil paintings perfectly convey the jazz scene,” Katie Bircher writes for The Horn Book. See the article, “Please Pass the Beignets,” for more jazzy recommendations.

Bank Street College Best Books of 2015 Includes Connie Schofield-Morrison, Frank Morrison, Molly Idle, Ashley Spires

March 25, 2015

The Bank Street College of Education releases an annual list of the best children’s books, and this year we are proud to announce the inclusion of several of our illustrators’ and authors’ books. Included on the list are The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle, I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison, and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison.

According to Bank Street’s website, “In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotype.”

Congratulations Frank, Connie, Molly, and Ashley on this fantastic honor!

To view the complete list, click here.

Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, Little Melba,Flora and the Penguin honored by CCBC

March 5, 2015
The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) celebrates The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, Little Melba and her Big Trombone, and Flora and the Penguin on its CCBC Choices 2015 List.

CCBC Choices is an annual list of children’s books that are considered the “best-of-the-year” for various categories including “Understanding Oneself and Others” and “Historical People, Places and Events.”The complete list of books can be found here.

Praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone from SF Book Review

February 20, 2015

The San Francisco Book Review published a review of Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison), and rated the book with 4/5 stars.

“Little Melba and Her Big Trombone will delight every child who carries a rhythm or song in their heart.  The words and illustrations of this picture book biography of musician and song-writer Melba Doretta Liston (1926-1999) practically blast off the page.”

Read the rest of the review here.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone chosen for Amelia Bloomer Project

February 10, 2015

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison and written by Katheryn Russell-Brown, has been chosen as part of the Amelia Bloomer Project. The Amelia Bloomer Project creates a yearly list of the best feminist books for ages 0-18, chosen by the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association.

This inspiring book details the life of ‘little’ Melba Liston, a jazz trombonist who overcomes great adversity to become a global star.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone given NCTE Orbis Pictus Award

February 5, 2015

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison and written by Katheryn Russell-Brown, received the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children.

Established in 1989 for promoting and recognizing excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children, the Orbis Pictus Award recognizes Little Melba as a recommended book for 2015.

The complete list of winners and more information here.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone named Anti-Defamation League’s Book of the Month

February 5, 2015

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison and written by Katheryn Russell-Brown, was chosen by the Anti-Defamation League as the Book of the Month for February.

The Anti-Defamation League chooses a book every month that teaches about bias and prejudice, promotes respect for diversity, and encourages social action.

More information here.

Frank Morrison Wins a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor

February 2, 2015

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.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone named Notable Book for Global Society

January 30, 2015

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.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone Meet-the-Author Book Reading

January 12, 2015

TeachingBooks.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!

Not My Girl and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone selected for CSMCL Best Multicultural Books of 2014

December 19, 2014

The Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) selected two books by Painted Words illustrators for their Best Multicultural Books of 2014 list.

Featured on the list was Not My Girl, which was written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, with illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown with illustrations by Frank Morrison, was also selected.

Congratulations to Gabrielle and Frank!

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison is an NAACP Image Award Nominee

December 19, 2014

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

The book has been nominated in the category of Outstanding Literary Work for Children. The winner will be announced live on TV One on February 6, 2015, at a red carpet event beginning at 8/7c.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone receives honorable mention on Huffington Post’s Best Picture Books of 2014 list

December 18, 2014

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, received an honorable mention on Huffington Post’s Best Picture Books of 2014 list.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton, London Ladd, Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison selected for CPL Best Book of 2014

December 17, 2014

The Chicago Public Library (CPL) has unveiled its Best Books of 2014 list, which includes titles by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, London Ladd, Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison.

Amongst its Best Picture Books of 2014 list, CPL included The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Under the Freedom Tree, illustrated by London Ladd, also made the list, as did I Got the Rhythm, which was written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison.

Frank Morrison’s illustration work also featured in CPL’s Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2014, with Little Melba and Her Big Trombone.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison is a School Library Journal best nonfiction book of 2014

December 10, 2014

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison, has appeared on another best of 2014 list, this time on School Library Journal’s best nonfiction books of the year. This gorgeous title has also appeared on several other best-of lists, including Kirkus’ best books celebrating diversity.

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.”

Frank Morrison’s Little Melba and Her Big Trombone places on Kirkus’ best diverse books of 2014 list

December 08, 2014

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison, appeared in Kirkus’ list of best books celebrating diversity 2014. Kirkus previously awarded Little Melba with a starred review, calling Morrison’s illustrations “perfect match for Melba’s story.”

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

November 26, 2014

More 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 Trombonereceived starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal.

Frank Morrison and K. G. Campbell featured in Kirkus’ best children’s books of 2014

November 24, 2014

Two Painted Words artists were featured in Kirkus’ best children’s books of 2014 list – K.G. Campbell for The Mermaid and The Shoe and Frank Morrison for his illustration in Little Melba and her Big Trombone.

Both books have received incredibly favorable reviews, including starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly, as well as the School Library Journal, amongst others.

Congratulations to Frank and K.G.!

Praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison 

November 12, 2014

The praise keeps coming for Little Melba and her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison. A review by the Smithsonian BookDragon blog commented on the artwork, saying that “Morrison also knows how to add soul-soothing rhythm to the page: take that cover with young Melba barely grown enough to hold that instrument, then compare it to the final double-page spread in which an adult Melba takes the same leaned-waaay-back, feel-the-stirring-sounds stance decades later and wows a sold-out audience of thousands.”

Further praise comes from School Library Journal, where Little Melba was featured in an article entitled “A Trio of Trailblazing Performers.” In the review, SLJ says of Frank Morrison’s gorgeous artwork: “Frank Morrison’s vibrant oil paintings gleam with deep jewel tones, bold lines, and kinetic motion. Gracefully elongated figures provide a fine counterpoint to this performer and her often stretched-to-the-max slide, and a kaleidoscope of shifting perspectives keep Melba—and her music—center stage.”

Waking Brain Cell blog applauds Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison

October 20, 2014

The Waking Brain Cells blog wrote a fantastic review of Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison.

On Morrison’s artwork, the review stated: “Morrison’s art beautifully captures the life of Liston on the page.  His paintings are done in rich colors, filled with angles of elbows, horns and music, they leap on the page.  They evoke the time period and the sense of music and jazz.”

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

Sept. 15, 2014

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.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone Receives Two More Starred Reviews!

July 15, 2014

The praise keeps coming in for Katheryn Russell-Brown’s and Frank Morrison’s picture book, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone.  The book was a School Library Journal selection as a Top Picks for Children’s Books for the month of July, and received two more starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal!

From the School Library Journal starred review:

“Music lovers will enjoy this picture-book biography of Melba Liston (1926-99), child prodigy and virtuoso trombonist who collaborated with most 20th century jazz greats. An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story…Morrison’s distinctive illustrations, stretched out like a slide trombone, draw the eye across each spread to the page turn.”

Publishers Weekly:

“Morrison’s oil paintings practically sway with a jazz beat, though somber moments crop up, too: the shadows on Liston’s face signify the trials of life on the road. A final image showing long-limbed Liston in profile as she plays under the glow of stage lights is exquisite.”

Frank Morrison Receives a Starred Review for Little Melba and her Big Trombone

July 9, 2014

Little Melba and her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, has received a Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews. The book chronicles the life of legendary jazz musician, Melba Doretta Liston. From the review:

“Morrison’s sinuous, exaggerated lines are the perfect match for Melba’s story; she puts her entire body into her playing, the exaggerated arch of her back and thrust of her shoulders mirroring the curves of her instrument. In one thrilling spread, the evening gown–clad instrumentalist stands over the male musicians, her slide crossing the gutter while the back bow disappears off the page to the left.”

Geekwrapped’s List of 100 Science Books for Kids Includes Five of Our Artists’ Books

April 24, 2017

Geekwrapped, a website that recommends gifts for the geeks and science enthusiasts in your life, recently compiled a list of one hundred best science books for children. Five of our author and illustrator’s books were included on this list, including three written and illustrated by Gene Barretta! These books included…

• If…A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers, written by  David J. Smith and illustrated by Steve Adams. If helps children understand complicated big ideas by comparing them to smaller, common objects.
• Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci, by Gene Barretta. This fun biography introduces children to the famous inventor who laid the groundwork for many of history’s great inventions.
• Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin, by Gene Barretta. Another biography, this one focuses on Ben Franklin and how he and his inventions shaped the modern world.
• The Worm by Elise Gravel. Part of her acclaimed Disgusting Critters series, The Worm is full of fun and gross details about this common creature. Geekwrapped calls it, “Really fun and educational.”
• Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives by Gene Barretta. The third in his series of biographies on inventors, this one shares the successes and failures of Thomas Edison.

Geekwrapped’s full list of science books for children can be found here.

Gene Barretta’s Timeless Thomas Makes Scholastic Parent & Child’s List “We the People!”

July 15, 2014

Timeless Thomas, by Gene Barretta, was included on We the People! Scholastic Parent & Child’s list of Great American Picture Book Biographies. The books selected for the list, according to Scholastic Parent & Child, “aren’t just books that share facts; they will immerse the reader into the amazing lives and choices that these men and women made.” Timeless Thomas certainly fits the bill! In humorous cartoon illustrations, Gene presents the inventions of Thomas Edison in side-by-side comparisons with their modern counterparts, creating a fun and memorable learning experience.

Timeless Thomas Reviewed in The New York Times

 July 2012

Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives, written and illustrated by Gene Barretta, received a glowing write-up in the New York Times and a Kirkus starred review!

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 100 TITLES FOR READING & SHARING INCLUDES FRANK MORRISON, K.G. CAMPBELL, & ASHLEY SPIRES

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell wins top picture book of 2014

November 25, 2014

Canada’s Globe & Mail unveiled its 2014 list of 100 greatest books, including The Mermaid and The Shoe, written and illustrated by K.G. Campbell.

The Mermaid and The Shoe took the top spot in the newspaper’s top 5 picture books of the year, alongside the remark “Our favorite book of the year (and maybe for years to come).”

This gorgeous book is no stranger to good reviews; it was awarded starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly, and was featured in Kirkus’ top 100 children books for 2014.

Congratulations to K.G. Campbell!

Frank Morrison and K. G. Campbell featured in Kirkus’ best children’s books of 2014

November 24, 2014

Two Painted Words artists were featured in Kirkus’ best children’s books of 2014 list – K.G. Campbell for The Mermaid and The Shoe and Frank Morrison for his illustration in Little Melba and her Big Trombone.

Both books have received incredibly favorable reviews, including starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly, as well as the School Library Journal, amongst others.

Congratulations to Frank and K.G.!

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell featured on ML Reads blog

September 29, 2014

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell was featured on the ML Reads blog. The ‘kid tested, librarian approved’ blog said “A combination of watercolor and crayon pencil are used to create the enchanting illustrations” and praised the book for its empowering treatment of the main character. 

Rave Review for K.G. Campbell’s The Mermaid and the Shoe from School Library Journal

July 8, 2014

In a review for Fuse 8 Productions/ School Library Journal, Elizabeth Bird called K.G. Campbell‘s author-illustrated picture book, The Mermaid and the Shoe, “the best little mermaid related picture book of all time.” The Mermaid and the Shoe is K.G.’s second author-illustrated book, following Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters which earned him an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor and Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Illustration in 2013.  Both books are published by Kids Can Press.

From the review:

“With its can do mermaid who seeks answers in spite of her age and size, its beautiful watercolor and pencil crayon imagery, and writing that makes the reader feel like they’re indulging in a contemporary classic, there is no question in my mind that The Mermaid and the Shoe is the best little mermaid related picture book of all time. Utterly charming and unique, I can only hope it inspires other artists and authors to attempt to write more quality works of picture book fiction about magical creatures for the kiddos. It’s not an easy task, but when it works boy HOWDY does it work! Beguiling and bewitching, there’s only one true word to describe this book. Beautiful.”

Click here to read the full review.

K.G. Campbell’s New Book, The Mermaid and the Shoe, Receives Kudos

March 24, 2014

K.G.’s second author-illustrated picture book, The Mermaid and the Shoe is available now from Kids Can Press. The book received a Starred Review from Kirkus.

“Delicate, ethereal watercolor-and-colored pencil illustrations rely on muted blue-gray washes accented with splashes of color to convey Neptune’s underwater kingdom, with its flora and fauna…Although this luminous tale of self-discovery hs echoes of ‘The Litte Mermaid,’ like Minnow, it sings its own strong song.”
—Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

Goodreads Reviews: The Mermaid and the Shoe  »

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