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

Painted Words Artists make the Chicago Public Library Best of the Bests List!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

The Chicago Public Library has released its Best Books of the Year list and several Painted Words Artists are on it! Included in the picture book category are Kick Push (Bloomsbury) by Frank Morrison and Queen of Kindergarten (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton.

Pink, Blue and You! (Anne Schwartz Books) by Elise Gravel and Mykaell Blais is on the list of best Informational Books for Younger Readers (K-3).

On the list of Informational Books for Older Readers (3-8) is Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown.

Congratulations Everyone!

See the full list here

 

Big Bear and Little Fish illustrated by Il Sung Na is a NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

The National Council of Teachers of English have named Big Bear and Little Fish (Lerner) by Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Il Sung Na a Charlotte Huck Award recommended book.

Learn more about the awards here

Get Big Bear and Little Fish here

When the Schools Shut Down illustrated by Keisha Morris, and Because of You, John Lewis illustrated by Keith Henry Brown are finalists for the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Prize

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Cathy Ann Johnson Wins CCAD 2022 Creative Entrepreneur Award!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Cathy Ann Johnson has won Columbus College of Art and Design’s 2022 Creative Entrepreneur Award. The committee said “Cathy Ann is a leader and role model for you designers, women in business and people of color. Her accomplishments are nothing short of inspirational.”

In addition, Cathy Ann’s paintings for the picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change (Orchard Books) by Brittney Cooper are on exhibit at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University through February 12, 2023.

Congratulations Cathy Ann!

See more about the CCAD Awards here

See more about the exhibition at the Zimmerli Art Museum here

Get the book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change here

Gene Barretta to talk about Starring Steven Spielberg at a Books of Wonder Virtual Event!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Gene Barretta, author of Starring Steven Spielberg (Christy Ottaviano Books) will be appearing on a panel about Picture Book Biographies at a virtual event with Books of Wonder on November 26, 2023.

Learn more about the event and register to attend here

A Star from Kirkus for Jump In! by Shadra Strickland!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Jump In! (Bloomsbury) by Shadra Strickland has received a starred review from Kirkus, which calls the book “A moving, grooving snapshot of urban life where kids create the fun and beckon everybody in.”

Congratulations Shadra!

Read the full review here

Jump In! comes out January 31, 2023. Pre order it here

Talia Skyles and Betsy Snyder included on Amazon’s Best Books of the Year List!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Murray Christmas by E.G. Keller on Publishers Weekly’s Best Holiday Books List!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Publishers Weekly has named Murray Christmas (Abrams) by E.G. Keller one of the best Holiday Books for Kids and Teens.

In addition, E.G. Keller is the “Meet the Author” guest in the December issue of BookPage (see image)

Congratulations, E.G., it’s a Murray Christmas indeed!

Get the book here

See the full Publishers Weekly Holiday List here

 

Basma Hosam Wins Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Al Anatekh Kingdom (Alia Publishing House, Egypt), illustrated by Basma Hosam was awarded the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature at the Sharjah International Book Fair in Dubai. The book, about a king who loves to eat and travel, but discovers the best dish is a humble sandwich of watermelon and feta cheese won the Picture Book Category.

Congratulations Basma!

Learn more about the award here

Happy Book Birthday to The Cool Code, illustrated by Sarah Mai!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Happy Book Birthday to The Cool Code (Harper Collins) by Deirdre Langeland, illustrated by Sarah Mai.

In this funny and heartfelt slice-of-life graphic novel for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller, when coding whiz Zoey goes from homeschooled to new school, she develops an app to help her make friends. Will the Cool Code help Zoey fit in? Or will it completely crash her social life?

Advance  praise for The Cool Code:

“Mai’s bright, full-color art is reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s and should instantly appeal to her fans.”  — Kirkus Reviews

“A humorous exploration of cracking the middle school social code for anyone craving more personified snarky llamas in their lives.” — School Library Journal

“Mai’s full-color artwork is inviting and cartoony, complete with noodle arms and exaggerated eyes, but the app avatar C.C., a pink llama, is simply adorable and certainly the star of the show. An easy and engaging pick for STEM-loving middle-graders.” — Booklist

Meet Sarah Mai in person at Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis on November 19 at 2:00!

Get the book here