Above The Rim (Abrams) by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison, and Sharuko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, have both been recognized as ALA Notable Children’s Books for 2021.

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books. According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children’s books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children’s interests in exemplary ways.

Congratulations Frank and Elisa!

See the full list here

More accolades for Sharuko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri ! The book is on the Bank Street Best Children’s Picture Books of the Year in Spanish 2021 List!

See the full list here

Get the book here

One Step Further; My Story of Math, the Moon and a Lifelong Mission, (National Geographic Kids) by Katherine Johnson, and her daughters Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow was published January 26, 2021. This inspirational picture book reveals what is was like for a young black mother of three to navigate the difficult world of the 1950s and ’60s, and succeed in an unwelcoming industry to become one of the now legendary ”hidden figures” of NASA computing and space research. Congratulations Charnelle!

Get the book here

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Dear Deer (Henry Holt) by Gene Barretta is an Amazon Teacher’s Pick for beginning readers! This playful picture book introduces children to the richness of language through the concept of homophones. A romp through the zoo has never been so eye-opening.

Congratulations Gene!

See the full list here

Get the book here

The American Library Association has awarded the Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award to R-E-S-P-E-C-T  (Simon & Schuster) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. The Coretta Scott King awards recognize African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Congratulations Frank!

See the full list of the ALA Awards here

Get the book here

The Aquanaut (Tundra Books) by Jill Heinerth, illustrated by Jaime Kim was released on January 19 2021 and is already garnering accolades.

Scuba News says Jaime Kim’s luminous art transports readers back and forth through time to see how Jill’s imagination as a young girl laid the pathway to her accomplishments and experiences as an underwater explorer.

Mutually Inclusive Books says “The illustrations in this book are absolute perfection! Somehow Jaime Kim perfectly captures the comparisons of Young Jill’s dreams and Adult Jill’s achievements, while simultaneously creating the perfect calming atmosphere for young readers to reflect on their own dreams. It’s genius!”

Also of interest is the author’s article in Canadian Graphic.

Congratulations Jaime!

You can get the book here

Brave and Kind Bookshop is hosting a Lunchtime Story Time with Nikki Grimes and Elizabeth Zunon, creators of 
Off to See the Sea (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) Tuesday January 19 at 12:00 pm EST. 

Register for the event here

My Little Golden Book about Frida Kahlo (Penguin Random House) by Sylvia Lopez and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri will be published January 12, 2021.

Congratulations Elisa!

Get the book here

Nelvana and Discovery have greenlit a second season of the redknot series “Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe”. The playful series is based on the best-selling graphic novels by Ashley Spires. Season 1 was nominated for Kidscreen Award’s Best new Preschool Series in 2020. The first season is available on Treehouse On-Demand.

Get the book that started it all here