Sewing Stories, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, is the wonderful picture book biography of Harriet Powers, a little-known artist born into slavery in rural Georgia. The book was released in late 2015 by Random House Children’s Books to praise from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and was recently featured on SLJ’s list “Celebrating African Americans: The Arts.” The list features recent picture book biographies that introduce young readers to “noteworthy African Americans who have defined their place in the world by following their passions and pursuing their art. The full list can be viewed here.

Praise for Sewing Stories:

“A much-needed introduction to the life of a little known African American artist, with many possible curriculum connections: artists, quilters, women’s history, and the Civil War.”–School Library Journal

“As a picture-book introduction to an unsung artist, it inspires. Harriet Powers: an artist worth knowing.”–Kirkus Reviews

Ashley Spires‘ Over-Scheduled Andrew was released by Tundra Books this week.  In this sequel to Edie’s Ensembles, Andrew and Edie return in a cautionary tale that Kirkus calls a “tongue-in-cheek take on an all-too-common plight.” When Andrew signs up for too many extracurricular activities, he learns the trouble in spreading oneself too thin.  Publishers Weekly writes, “While the premise of the overcommitted child has been explored before…Spires makes it her own, bringing a playful touch to her writing and artwork. In fact, insofar as this is a message book, the real takeaway is less ‘know your limits’ than ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.'”

You can read the Kirkus review here, and the Publishers Weekly review here. Over-Scheduled Andrew was also featured on CBC Canada’s Spring 2016 Book Preview.

Purchase a copy of the book here.

One Plastic Bag, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon and written by Miranda Paul, has been included on the 2016 Amelia Bloomer List which celebrates “Recommended Feminist Literature for Birth through 18.”  One Plastic Bag tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay who started a recycling movement in her village in Gambia by inspiring women to turn plastic bags into plastic purses.  This tale is the perfect book to empower young girls to dream big and create change.

Visit the full list here.

Congrats Elizabeth and Miranda!

Sarah Dillard‘s new chapter book series Mouse Scouts is now available from Knopf Books for Young Readers. The first two books in the series, Mouse Scouts and Mouse Scouts Make A Difference were released simultaneously at the beginning of the month.  Kirkus calls the books “a welcome series for new readers.”

Order your copies here.

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!

Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, and One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, both made the New York Public Library’s list of recommendations for 2015! The NYPL recommended one hundred children’s books from 2015, and Frederick’s Journey and One Plastic Bag both made the list for non-fiction children’s books. Congratulations!

Frederick’s Journey can be purchased here and One Plastic Bag can be purchased here. Check out all of the NYPL’s recommended books for the year here!

Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, made Kirkus’s list of Best Books of 2015 in the Middle School Books category! The beautiful story tells about a little girl’s connection with her family history through poetry and has already won several awards. The full list of winners for the middle school category can be found here, and Poems in the Attic can be purchased here.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (BCCB) wrote a great review of Constance Lombardo‘s middle school illustrated novel, Mr. Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars, which tells the tale of a young cat’s journey to become a famous actor. The BCCB praised the story’s humor, writing, “Lombardo positively revels in loading on the cinematic clichés and topping them with a generous sprinkle of cat-themed wordplay…and Mr. Puffball’s breathless, straightfaced delivery of one droll line after another adds to the fun.” Lombardo both wrote and illustrated the book, and the illustrations are praised too: “The numerous comical black and white line drawings continue the jokes, with plenty of speech bubbles…and amusing visual details adding another layer of fun.”

Mr. Puffball can be ordered here!

Booklist reviewed Sarah Dillard’s Mouse Scouts, an upcoming chapter book about a troop of young mice learning lessons and earning badges in skills such as gardening. Booklist calls Mouse Scouts, the first in the series, a “cheerful series starters,” and praises the illustrations. They conclude, “Readers won’t have to be scouts to enjoy this agreeable tale of friendship.” Mouse Scouts goes on sale this January. You can pre-order a copy here!

Race Car Count, written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Michael Slack, received praise in a Booklist review! Race Car Count shows the story of a high speed car race to help teach children to count. Booklist writes of Michael Slack’s race car illustrations, “Full of power and personality, each car has its own color, look, and attitude, created with its eyes (in the windshield area) and mouth (the grill).” In all, they call the book, “A fast-paced, fun counting book.”

You can read the full review in Booklist’s November 12^th issue, and you can check out Race Car Counts here!