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!

Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken is a finalist in the category of Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books for the CYBILS Awards, or Children’s & Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards. The CYBILS honor authors and illustrators whose books “combine the highest literary merit and popular appeal.”  Good luck to our favorite Super Chicken, Warren!

Learn more about the awards & Sarah’s fellow finalists here.

The New York Public Library’s end-of-year list, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, includes The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell, and Frank Morrison‘s illustrated reader Ballerina Dreams.  Also selected was The Most Magnificent Thing, a picture book by Painted Words’ newest author-illustrator, Ashley Spires.  Congrats K.G., Frank, and Ashley on this great honor!

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

Over on a Mountain, written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin, has received advanced praise from Kirkus Reviews. The book is the next installment in Berkes’ early science books and is the fifth book in the series illustrated by Jill Dubin. Previous titles include Over in a River, Over in the Forest, Over in the Arctic and Over in Australia.

Regarding Jill Dubin’s artwork, Kirkus said: “As with most in this series, the artwork stands out for its beauty and craftsmanship. Dubin’s textured cut- and torn-paper illustrations evoke both animals and habitats—fur looks soft, rocks look hard, and one can almost smell the greenery, though the scenes are less realistic than cute.”

Over on a Mountain will be available to purchase in March 2015.

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, 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.

Sunday Shopping, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection. The book will be among their 2015 offerings.

Sunday Shopping comes out on May 15, 2015.