Happy book birthday to My Voice is a Trumpet (Penguin Random House) by Jimmie Allen and illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson.

From voices tall as a tree, to voices small as a bee, all it takes is confidence and a belief in the goodness of others to change the world. Coming at a time when issues of social justice are at the forefront of our society, this is the perfect book to teach children that they’re not too young to express what they believe in and that all voices are valuable.

In a starred review, School Library Journal says Beautifully painted portraits bring depth to the faces, as well as emotion to each setting.

Read the SLJ review here

Get the book here

In a starred review of Coqui in the City (Penguin Random House) by Nomar Perez, School Library Connection says “Author and illustrator Perez lavish   ly portrays San Juan and New York City with beautiful artwork and crafts a tale that is sure to ring true to many children.”

Get the book here

Jimmy Allen was on Ellen recently talking about his upcoming picture book My Voice is a Trumpet (Penguin Random House), illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson.

See the clip here

School Library Journal says the book is “A suggested first choice for libraries, the rhythm and flow of words perfectly match the art while advising readers to choose love and use their voices in a powerful song.”

The book will be published July 13.

Get your copy here

Stephen Constanza’s latest picture book King of Ragtime (Simon & Schuster) has received glowing starred reviews form Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Kirkus calls the book “Outstanding” and Publishers Weekly says the “pitch-perfect picture book biography of Black ragtime composer Scott Joplin (c. 1867–1917)” is “A richly detailed profile fit for a king.” The book will be published September 14.

Read the Kirkus review here

Read the Publishers Weekly review here

Pre-order the book here

My School Stinks! (Philomel/Penguin) written by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Julia Patton was published July 6, 2020.

The book is a hilarious back-to-school story told through journal entries about a boy who finds himself at a new school where the other students are REAL animals.

Kirkus says “This story has an amusing tongue-in-cheek quality in which the text can be read as exaggeration but the pictures bear out the child’s perspective. For children accused of having wild imaginations, this is an affirming treat. Just might convince complaining children that their school isn’t so bad after all.”

Get the book here

Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook) Alyssa Bermudez‘s graphic novel memoir about growing up in New York around the time of 9/11 will be published August 17. It is already getting great reviews.

Publishers Weekly says “Bermudez puts her whole heart on the page, and the love she holds for her younger self can be deeply felt in every entry.” Read the full review here

Kirkus calls the book “An authentic and moving time capsule of middle school angst, trauma, and joy.” Read the full review here.

You can preorder the book here

Tiny Barbarian (HarperCollins) by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Ashley Spires, and Blueberry Cake (Aladdin) by Sarah Dillard have been named Amazon picks for ages 3 to 5 for July.

See all of the picks here

Preorder Tiny Barbarian here

Preorder Blueberry Cake here

Paletero Man (HarperCollins), written by Lucky Diaz and illustrated by Micah Player is on Publishers Weekly New and Noteworthy List for June. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly says “Player adds dynamic spreads in bright hues that often illuminate the untranslated Spanish.”

See the full list of New and Noteworthy books for June here

Nadya Bonten-Slenders was chosen from the more than two hundred Dutch and Belgian entries, as one of the winners of the 2021 Picture This competition. You can see her beautiful illustrations, along with the other winners here.

Picture this! is an initiative of Lemniscaat Publishers (NL) and the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society (GB). The competition is supported by Protea (ZA), Walker Books (GB), the Burg Wissem Bilderbuch Museum (DE), Kaléidoscope (FR), Lemniscaat Publishers (NL) and the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society (GB).

Congratulations Nadya!