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

Mary Had a Little Glam, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

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Pirasaurs!, Illus. by Michael Slack, and Mary Had a Little Glam, Illus. by Vanessa Newton, Make 2016 Best In Rhyme List

February 1, 2017

Angie Karcher, a children’s author and blogger, has nominated her top ten rhyming children’s books for 2016, and two books illustrated by our artists made the cut. Pirasaurs!, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Michael Slack, tells in rhyme the story of a tiny piratical dinosaur. Mary Had a Little Glam, written by Tammy Sauer and illustrated by Vanessa B Newton, takes the story and rhyme scheme of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and retells it as a story of a fashionable little girl and her attempts to glamorize her classmates. Both have been praised for their fun story and playful rhymes as well as their bright, energetic illustrations.

The final award announcements will be streaming on KidLitTV February 12th at 8 pm ET. Make sure to check it out!

The full list of rhyming winners can be found on Angie Karcher’s blog herePirasaurs! can be purchased here and Mary Had a Little Glam here.

Gene Barretta, Gerald Kelley, Elise Gravel, Vanessa B Newton, and Josée Masse Nominated for CYBIL 2016 Award

October 10, 2016

The Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers Literary (CYBIL) Awards is an award given out every year for juvenile and children’s books that successfully combine literary merit and popular appeal. Every year, a list of nominees is created, and from this list, the winners are chosen. This year, five of our authors/illustrators were nominated for six different books!

Juvenile and Elementary Nonfiction:

Fiction Picture Books/Board Books:

Middle Grade Fiction:

Poetry:

Congratulations to our talented authors and illustrators! To find out more about the CYBIL awards and who else has been nominated, visit their site here.

More Great Reviews for Mary Had a Little Glam, illus. by Vanessa Brantley Newton

September 12, 2016

The recently released picture book Mary Had a Little Glam, has been receiving tons of praise. This rhyming picture book, written by Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, retells the story of Mary and her lamb with Mary as a fashionable little girl who shares her glamour with her classmates and friends. Check out some of the praise below!

“Illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton adds diversity not just in the styles of dress, but also in the makeup of Mary’s class.” –The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mary Had a Little Glam is wonderful book that has a beautiful carefree black girl as the main character. This is a book that promotes having positive self-esteem…Mary Had a Little Glam will make a great addition to any little girl’s library.” –Brown Mamas blog

“I love how the author, Tammi Sauer, and the illustrator, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, tied in bits and pieces of the original story. But Mary was FAB-U-LOUS in this book! Outside of being incredibly cute and glam, I loved how secure with herself she was and how she loved making her friends feel good about themselves as well.” –The Crunchy Mommy blog

You can order Mary Had a Little Glam online here.

Tons of Praise for Mary Had a Little Glam

August 4, 2016

Mary Had a Little Glam has been receiving great publicity and has been featured on multiple blogs and book review sites! Check out some of the awesome praise below.

The Children’s Book Review featured Mary Had a Little Glam author, Tammi Sauer, in a Selfie and Shelfie feature.

The blog Grandma’s Cookie Jar reviewed Mary and is doing a free giveaway of a copy of the book. They called Vanessa’s illustrations “colorful and fun” and praised the diversity of the story.

Picture Book Builders, a blog run by picture book writers including Tammi Sauer, interviewed Vanessa and also ran a giveaway of Mary. Check it out here!

The blog Pickle Corn Jam also ran a giveaway for Mary, and wrote a review

HubPages praised Mary in their review.

There Is A Book For That included a review of Mary in their weekly reading round up.

Mile High Reading wrote a review and ran a giveaway.

Here We Read praised Mary highly in their review.

Night Owl Reviews ran a giveaway.

Mama Smith’s Blog included Mary in their annual reading list.

Wonderful Review from Kirkus of Mary Had a Little Glam, Illus. by Vanessa Brantley Newton

July 6, 2016

The upcoming picture book, Mary Had a Little Glam, written by Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, received a starred review from Kirkus. Mary Had a Little Glam is the fun, rhyming story of a fashionable little girl who transforms her drab fairy tale classmates into young fashionistas. Kirkus praised the positive story and smooth rhymes, and wrote that, “Brantley-Newton’s bright, fun-filled illustrations teem with energy and life.” Kirkus particularly pointed out the diversity in the story. “Whether by happenstance or by design, this delightful picture book positively answers the call for more books about children of color.” You can read Kirkus’s full review on their site.

Mary Had a Little Glam comes out August 2nd. Pre-order it here!

Over in the Forest, illustrated by Jill Dubin

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jd1Over in the Forest, illus. by Jill Dubin, is Featured in Nonotuck Park’s Story Walk

June 21, 2016

Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek, written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin, is being featured in Nonotuck Park’s new Story Walk feature. Spreads from Over in the Forest are placed on plaques along the park’s Totem Walk so that families can learn about woodland creatures as they walk through the park. Nonotuck Park is located in Easthampton, MA. If you’re in the area and have the time, you should check it out! While you’re there, if you buy Over in the Forest from White Squares Bookstore, they’ll donate ten percent of the proceeds to the park.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, illustrated by Liz Zunon

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10 Books Illus. by PW Artists On Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books Of Year List

June 4, 2018

Congratulations to the following Painted Words artists/authors whose books were included in Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2018 List:

Frank MorrisonOne Last Word, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground
Ashley SpiresThe Thing Lou Couldn’t Do, Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel
Vanessa Brantley-NewtonThe Youngest Marcher
Fabricio VandenBroeckThirsty, Thirsty Elephants
Gabrielle GrimardStolen Words
Elise GravelOlga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere
Mircea CatusanuNoah Webster’s Fighting Words
Elizabeth ZunonOne Last Word, The Legendary Miss Lena Horne

One Last Word: Wisdom From the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes with illustrations from 15 artists including Frank Morrison and Elizabeth Zunon was the recipient of the Claudia Lewis Award for the best poetry book of the year for young readers, while The Youngest Marcher illustrated by Vanessa B. Newton, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground illustrated by Frank Morrison, and The Legendary Miss Lena Horne illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, were each recognized for Outstanding Merit. You can view the full list of books here.

Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books 2017 Includes Seven Books from Our Artists

November 29, 2017

The end of the year is approaching at last. That means it’s time for best books of the year lists! The latest one is from the Chicago Public Library, and their list of recommendations includes seven books from our Painted Words authors and illustrators!

Best Picture Books 2017:

Best Fiction for Younger Readers 2017:

Best Informational Books for Younger Readers 2017:

Best Fiction for Older Readers 2017:

Best Informational Books for Older Readers 2017:

Congratulations to all our talented authors and artists! The CPL’s full list of recommended books from 2017 is available here.

Liz Zunon Events for the Upcoming Weekend

March 9, 2017

March is Women’s History Month, and Liz Zunon is celebrating in style with two events this weekend in which she will read her picture book, The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, which tells the story of a powerful woman: actress, singer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne.

On Saturday, Liz will be signing copies of Lena Horne in The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, New York from 1 to 2:30 pm. Copies of her picture book Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes, which also celebrates girls and their creative efforts, will also be available. You can find out more information about the event here.

Sunday,  Liz will participate in a Story time and Art Making event at the Albany Institute of History and Art. A reading of The Legendary Miss Lena Horne will be followed by a special art activity. Afterward, she will sign copies of her book in the museum gift shop. More information about this event can be found here.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne can be purchased here.

Four Painted Words Artists Make New York Times List of Five Iconic African American Biographies for Kids

February 13, 2017

The New York Times recently published an article entitled “Five Iconic African-American Biographies for Kids.” Three out of five of these recommended picture books were written and/or illustrated by artists from Painted Words! The recommended titles included Muhammad Ali: A Champion is Born, The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, and The Youngest Marcher. 

Muhammad Ali, written by Gene Barretta and illustrated by Frank Morrison, tells the story of the incident that set a young Ali (then called Cassius Clay) onto his boxing career. Times described it as a, “playful, dynamic look at the champion’s quest for greatness.” They praised Frank for “[giving] the art a joyful zing and a serious yet eminently kid-friendly vibe.” Muhammad Ali can be purchased here.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz Zunon, is the biography of actress, singer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. The New York Times writes, “The book’s sizzling clarity recalls Horne’s own voice,” and praises Liz’s illustrations, writing, “Zunon…plays with shadow and light to suggest the hidden depths of a very public life.” The Legendary Miss Lena Horne can be purchased here.

The Youngest Marcher, written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newtonreveals the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest known marcher to be arrested in the Birmingham civil rights protests of the ’60s. The Times writes, “Levinson and Newton keep her story bright and snappy, emphasizing the girl’s eagerness to make a difference and her proud place in her community.” The Youngest Marcher can be purchased online here.

You can find the New York Times full list of recommended black history titles here.

Liz Zunon, Shadra Strickland, and Vanessa Newton on Time for Kids’ List of Recommended Black History Month Books

February 9, 2017

In honor of Black History Month, Time for Kids compiled a list of eight new children’s books that honor black history and interviewed the authors and illustrators of these recommended picture books. TFK’s article was also featured on Essence.com. Three books that were illustrated by Painted Words artists made the list!

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz Zunon, tells the life story of singer, actress, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. TFK interviewed the author, and she said that she hopes that Lena’s story can be “can be both an inspiration and a guide to overcoming obstacles.” The Legendary Lena Horne can be purchased here

The Youngest Marcher, written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newtonis the true story of the youngest known marcher in the Birmingham civil rights protests. Cynthia Levinson told TFK, “The story is also about knowing in your heart what is right and facing down your fear.” The Youngest Marcher can be purchased here.

2017 is the 50th anniversary of landmark civil rights case, “Loving Vs. Virginia,” which made it legal for people of different races to marry. The documentary picture book Loving Vs. Virginia, written by Patricia Hruby Powell and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, tells the story of this famous case. TFK interviewed Shadra, and she told TFK, “It’s empowering to read about normal people who [are] able to find great courage and overcome challenges in life.” Loving Vs. Virginia can be purchased here.

Time for Kids’ full list of recommended black history month books can be found here. The Essence.com version can be found here.

CBC’s Hot Off the Press Includes Books from Liz Zunon, Gene Barretta, Frank Morrison, and Vanessa B Newton

January 4, 2017

The Children’s Book Council published a list of books it calls “Hot Off the Press,” a collection recently released and forthcoming picture books that they anticipate becoming bestsellers, and four of our authors/illustrators had books included on this list!

In the Featured Books section is forthcoming The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz ZunonThe Legendary Miss Lena Horne tells the story of pioneering actress, singer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. The picture book will be published later this month and can be pre-ordered online here.

In the More Titles section is The Youngest Marcher, written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley NewtonThe Youngest Marcher is based on the true story of Audrey Faye, the youngest marcher to be arrested in the Birmingham civil rights protests. It comes out later this month and can be ordered online here.

Also included in this section is Muhammad Ali: A Champion is Born, written by Gene Barretta and illustrated by Frank MorrisonMuhammad Ali is the story of how the famous heavyweight boxer first got his start in boxing. This picture book was released today! It can be ordered online here.

Make sure to keep an eye on these books to see if the CBC’s predictions are right!

More Praise for The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, Illus. by Liz Zunon

December 13, 2016

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz Zunon, isn’t coming out until early 2017, but it’s already receiving a lot of buzz, and here’s another great new review from Publishers Weekly!

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne tells the true story of groundbreaking actress, singer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. Publishers Weekly praised it for its use of source material and its portrayal of Horne’s struggles, and write that, “Zunon’s warm-hued, multi-textured oil-and-collage images emphasize the determination of a woman who found her voice on stage as singer, actor, and activist.”

The full review can be found hereMiss Lena Horne can be pre-ordered online here.

Liz Zunon, Frank Morrison, and Gene Barretta Included in List of New Books for African American Young Readers

December 1, 2016

Publisher’s Weekly recently compiled a list of new and upcoming books, published between 2016 and 2017, that are focused on African American issues. Focusing on historical events and famous figures, as well as current events or African American characters, these are great books for African American young readers and for everyone.

Included on this list is the forthcoming Muhammad Ali: A Champion is Born, written by Gene Barretta and illustrated by Frank Morrison, and The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz Zunon

These picture books will both be released in January of 2017. You can pre-order Muhammad Ali here and Miss Lena Horne here.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, illus. by Liz Zunon, Received A Starred Review from Kirkus

October 19, 2016

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz Zunon, is an inspiring picture book based on the life of singer, actress, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. Despite the racism of her time period, Lena Horne won accolades, honors, and the first ever studio contract for an African American Actress.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne won’t be released until January 2017, but just like the actress it’s based on, it’s already winning recognition and praise. Kirkus reviews Lena Horne in its November issue and gives it a starred review! They call Lena Horne, “A memorable life dedicated to music and civil rights, presented with commensurate style.” The review writes of Liz’s illustrations that, “Zunon’s oil paint and cut-paper collage illustrations are more than a match for Horne’s dynamic onstage presence. Their dramatic design showcases a woman of great beauty and extraordinary talent.”

Simon and Schuster Reveals the Cover to Liz Zunon’s New Book, The Legendary Miss Lena Horne

June 15, 2016

Liz Zunon‘s new book, The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Liz, is coming out this upcoming January. The picture book tells the inspiring story of Lena Horne, an African American actress and civil rights activist. The publisher, Simon and Schuster, has revealed the cover (as shown on the left) as well as several spreads online. You can see the beautiful images online here.

Gene Barretta’s Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare


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Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare, by Gene Barretta, Featured in SLJ Post on Expository Nonfiction

September 21, 2017

Reading nonfiction is an important part of any child’s elementary education. But kids don’t just like reading the popular genre of narrative nonfiction, in which true information is presented in the format of a story. Children also enjoy expository nonfiction, which are books that lay out the facts in a clear and easy-to-understand way. In order to highlight the importance of expository nonfiction, as well as present some excellent examples of the genre, guest blogger Melissa Stewart wrote a great post at the School Library Journal (SLJ) on expository nonfiction. One of her featured examples was Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare, by Gene Barretta!

Lincoln and Kennedy is an expository nonfiction book that compares and contrasts the lives of those two great presidents. Stewart praised it as a great example of using an engaging text structure. Each spread puts Lincoln and Kennedy side by side, and, as Stewart writes, “As a result, readers notice fun patterns as well as startling similarities between the two men’s lives.” Expository nonfiction books can be just as fun and exciting as fiction or as narrative nonfiction.

Melissa Stewart’s full blog post is available hereLincoln and Kennedy is available for purchase here.

CBC’s 2017 Notable Social Studies Books for Young People List Includes Frank Morrison, Gene Barretta, Gerald Kelley

January 27, 2017

Every year the Children’s Book Council (CBC) releases a list of children and YA books with social studies themes that they consider to be exceptional in storytelling, themes, diversity, and illustrations. They have recently released the preview for the 2017 list, and three of our authors and illustrators have made the list!

Kindergarten to Second Grade:

Third to Fifth Grade:

Congratulations, Gene, Gerald, and Frank! The full preview of recommended books for 2017 as well as more information about the selection process can be found here.

Gene Barretta and Josée Masse Included In NYPL’s 2016 List of Best Books for Kids

November 30, 2016

The New York Public Library recently released their list of the best books of 2016 for teens and kids. They chose 100 books in various categories for kids, and 50 for teens. Two of Painted Words’s authors/illustrators made it to that list! In the nonfiction category was included Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene BarrettaEcho, Echo: Reverso Poems About Greek Myths, written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Josée Masse, was included in the poetry category. Congratulations, Gene and Josée!

The entire list of books can be found on the NYPL’s site here. You can purchase Lincoln and Kennedy here and Echo, Echo here.

Praise for Gene Barretta’s Lincoln and Kennedy From Pantagraph

July 26, 2016

Pantagraph wrote a review of Gene Barretta’s historical picture book, Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare, which compares all the intriguing similarities between the two famous presidents, including their fights for civil rights. Pantagraph praises Gene’s presentation of historical facts, writing that “Gene Barretta shows kids how history can be a weird and wonderful thing,” and they add that he “allow[s] his illustrations to bring the smiles here.”

You can read Pantagraph’s full review here. Lincoln and Kennedy can be ordered online here.

Gene Barretta’s Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare Is Out Now!

June 14, 2016

Happy Book Birthday to Gene Barretta‘s Lincoln and Kennedy! See what the critics are saying…

“Lincoln and Kennedy don’t immediately lend themselves easily to a side-by-side picture-book analysis. Kudos to Barretta, then, who is stunningly successful at creating such a book by pausing at key moments of each man’s life to see what he’s facing and enriching the biography of both by comparison. . .this will obviously catch the eye of social-studies teachers, but the lively illustrations and inviting approach will entice independent readers as well”―The Bulletin

The text reads easily, but it’s the cartoonish illustrations―big, bold, and set in cleverly designed pages―that will immediately grab kids’ attention. . . Engaging”―Booklist

Lincoln and Kennedy is a marvelously original and important book. I can’t think of a better way to interest young readers in American history.” ―Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty! The American Revolution

Order your copy here!

Pirasaurs!, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Michael Slack

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

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Pirasaurs!, Illus. by Michael Slack, and Mary Had a Little Glam, Illus. by Vanessa Newton, Make 2016 Best In Rhyme List

February 1, 2017

Angie Karcher, a children’s author and blogger, has nominated her top ten rhyming children’s books for 2016, and two books illustrated by our artists made the cut. Pirasaurs!, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Michael Slack, tells in rhyme the story of a tiny piratical dinosaur. Mary Had a Little Glam, written by Tammy Sauer and illustrated by Vanessa B Newton, takes the story and rhyme scheme of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and retells it as a story of a fashionable little girl and her attempts to glamorize her classmates. Both have been praised for their fun story and playful rhymes as well as their bright, energetic illustrations.

The final award announcements will be streaming on KidLitTV February 12th at 8 pm ET. Make sure to check it out!

The full list of rhyming winners can be found on Angie Karcher’s blog herePirasaurs! can be purchased here and Mary Had a Little Glam here.

Michael Slack Reading Pirasaurs! at Bel and Bunna Bookstore This Weekend

September 16, 2016

This weekend is Speak Like a Pirate weekend at Bel and Bunna’s bookstore in Lafayette, CA, so of course you can find Michael Slack and the Pirasaurs there this weekend (9/17-18). Michael will do a reading and signing of his new picture book, Pirasaurs!, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Michael. He’ll also do drawings and, obviously, he’ll speak like a pirate. He’ll be at Bel and Bunna’s from 11 am to 2 pm, so be sure to drop by if you’re in the area!

You can read more about the event on Bel and Bunna’s websitePirasaurs! can be ordered online here.

School Library Journal Praises Pirasaurs!, illus. by Michael Slack

September 8, 2016

In their September issue, the School Library Journal reviewed the recently released picture book, Pirasaurs!, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Michael SlackPirasaurs! is the story of  the youngest recruit on a pirate ship that is, of course, run by dinosaurs. The School Library Journal praised the rhyming prose and wrote that Michael Slack’s “Angular and toothily aggressive depictions of the pirasaur crew bring the digital cartoons to life.” All together, they call it, “A rip-roaring read-aloud for storytime or small group sharing.”

You can order Pirasaurs! online here.

Michael Slack Interviewed on Podcast All The Wonders

August 4, 2016

Illustrator Michael Slack‘s latest work is the picture book Pirasaurs!, which tells the tale of a crew of pirates that are also dinosaurs, and their tiniest new recruit. Pirasaurs! doesn’t come out until August 29th, but until then you can listen to his interview on the podcast All the Wonders, in which he discusses his inspirations, art, and how he comes up with his characters. Plus, look out for the pirasaurs to commandeer popular book blogs leading up to the book release. They’ll be featured in specially created gifs on selected blogs.

Preorder Pirasaurs! here.

Pirasaurs!, illus. by Michael Slack, Receives Praise from Publisher’s Weekly

June 8, 2016

Pirasaurs!, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Michael Slack, is, of course, a picture book about dinosaurs who are also pirates! In this energetic new picture book, it’s up to the smallest and newest recruit of a pirate crew to save the day when the crew conflicts with another pirate crew. Publisher’s Weekly praised Pirasaurs!, complimenting the rollicking rhyming text and Michael’s illustrations. They write, “Slack’s…richly textured digital artwork may, in this context, bring to mind images painted on a ship’s deck. His hero is adorable and appropriately child-like, while the toothy, bug-eyed crew is fiercely funny.”

You can read the full review on Publisher Weekly’s site herePirasaurs! isn’t coming out until August 30th, but you can preorder it online here.

The Cranky Ballerina, by Elise Gravel

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the cranky ballerina

Watch NYPL librarians read Elise Gravel’s The Cranky Ballerina on Facebook Live!

February, 5, 2018

Last week, the New York Public Library hosted a Facebook Live video for World Read Aloud Day, and The Cranky Ballerina by Elise Gravel was one of the 6 books included! Click here to watch a recording of this special event, where Gravel’s book is read at about 26 minutes in.

Interview with Elise Gravel About The Cranky Ballerina

August 2, 2016

Picture book author/illustrator Elise Gravel‘s upcoming picture book, The Cranky Ballerina, is attracting lots of positive reviews and attention. Recently, Elise was interviewed by picture book themed website, Picture Book Builders. Elise discusses her own experiences with ballet, the inspirations behind The Cranky Ballerina and it’s characters, and how she chooses the trademark bright, fun colors in her illustrations. You can check out the full interview for yourself here!

The Cranky Ballerina can be pre-ordered online here. It will be released August 9th!

Another Great Review for Elise Gravel’s The Cranky Ballerina

July 6, 2016

Quill and Quire wrote a wonderful review for Elise Gravel‘s upcoming picture book, The Cranky Ballerina, coming out August 9th. Quill and Quire complimented Elise’s “fun, expressive illustrations,” humor, and the valuable life lessons about kindness and failure. They write that “By following Ada’s story, [readers will] also learn that sometimes failing at one thing just means they might end up being exceptionally good at something they haven’t tried yet.”

You can read the full review here.

Elise Gravel’s new picture book, The Cranky Ballerina, Praised by The School Library Journal

July 1, 2016

The Cranky Ballerina, Elise Gravel‘s upcoming picture book, was recently reviewed by the School Library Journal. The Cranky Ballerina tells the story of Ada, a little girl who hates her ballet lessons and would much rather learn karate. The School Library Journal praised Elise’s complex portrayal of her character, pointing out that Ada’s grumpiness is not merely for humor but is due to her frustration. They write, “This book will resonate with children, especially those who have yet to channel their misunderstood talents.” They also praise Elise’s humor and the illustrations in her signature style and call The Cranky Ballerina, “A noteworthy addition for most collections.”

Great Review for Elise Grave’s Upcoming The Cranky Ballerina

June 8, 2016

Elise Gravel‘s newest picture book, The Cranky Ballerina, will be coming out this upcoming August, but it already has great reviews coming in. The Cranky Ballerina tells the story of Ada, a little girl who would much rather cause some good old chaos than dance in a tutu. Publisher’s Weekly praised Gravel’s humor and expressive illustrations, as well as the moral of the story. “Gravel is clearly not in the camp that believes that “quitters never win.” Instead, she suggests…why not channel your energy into something you actually enjoy?”

To read the full review, follow this link. You can pre-order The Cranky Ballerina here.

K.G. Campbell’s Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters

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lesterK.G. Campbell’s Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters Adapted Into a Musical

April 14, 2016

In exciting news, K.G. Campbell‘s charming 2012 picture book, Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, has been adapted into a children’s musical! Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters tells the story of Lester, whose cousin won’t stop knitting him embarrassing sweaters. Lester was adapted for the stage by Aly Renee Amidei, who loves to knit herself and was inspired by K.G.’s illustrations. She also designed the costumes, based on the signature dreadful sweaters, and helped write the lyrics. The play is running until April 24th in the Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. You can learn more about the play at the Lifeline Theatre’s website here and find Publisher’s Weekly review here.

Before checking the play out, don’t forget to check out the original!

K.G. Campbell Wins His Second Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor

February 21, 2014

Congratulations to K.G. Campbell for his Ezra Jack Keats recognition for Tea Party Rules!

K.G. became the first illustrator to receive two consecutive Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honors. He was awarded his first  New Illustrators Honor last year for his author-illustrated picture book, Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters.  Ame Dyckman, the author of Tea Party Rules, won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award!

Don’t Call Me Grandma, Written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

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Don’t Call Me Grandma, Illus. By Elizabeth Zunon, Wins New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in Family Issues Category

November 27, 2017

Don’t Call Me Grandma, written by New Mexico native Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Liz Zunon, has won a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award! The New Mexico-Arizona Book Award is run by the New Mexico Book Co-op, an organization that seeks to promote local writing from New Mexico, Arizona, and the American South West.

Don’t Call Me Grandma is the story of a young girl’s complex relationship with her prickly and glamorous grandmother. It won the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award in the category of Parenting/Family Issues Book, sponsored by the New Mexico Book Co-op. Congratulations, Liz and Vaunda!

The full list of winners of the 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award can be found hereDon’t Call Me Grandma is available for purchase here.

Seven of Painted Words’s Authors/Illustrators’ Books Included in Bank Street’s Best Children Books of the Year 2017

May 2, 2017

Every year, the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education compile a list of the best children’s books of the previous year. Based on criteria such as literary excellence, quality of illustration, diversity, and emotional impact, these books are recommended for parents, librarians, and children. This year, Bank Street has chosen seven of Painted Words’s books as some of the best books of 2016!

Under Five:

Five to Nine:

Nine to Twelve:

Bank Street’s full list of recommended books can be found here. Congratulations to our Painted Words artists and authors!

Liz Zunon, Frank Morrison, and Il Sung Na Included on CCBC Choices 2017 List

March 28, 2017

The CCBC Choices list is an annual selection compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center on the best children’s books of the year. This year, three of Painted Words authors illustrators have been included on the list under various categories!

Picture Books for School Age Children:

Concept Books:

The full list of selected books is available here.

NPR’s Best Books of 2016 Includes Il Sung Na’s The Opposite Zoo and Don’t Call Me Grandma, Illus. by Liz Zunon

December 7, 2016

The National Public Radio (NPR) put out a list of books chosen by their staff as being the best of 2016. Included in the children’s section is Don’t Call Me Grandma, written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Liz Zunon, and The Opposite Zoo by Il Sung Na.

Don’t Call Me Grandma is the story of a young girl’s relationship with her prickly but fascinating grandma. NPR praised the fact that this story presents an unconventional and more fully realized version of a grandmother than most childrens’ literature. They describe Liz’s illustrations as “genius.”

The Opposite Zoo teaches children about opposites through the medium of a whimsical, brightly colored zoo after it closes for the night. They describe the picture book as “spacious” and inviting.

Congratulations, Il Sung and Liz! The full list of recommended books can be found on NPR’s site here. You can purchase Don’t Call Me Grandma here and The Opposite Zoo here.

Don’t Call Me Grandma, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, Reviewed By The School Library Journal

April 7, 2016

Don’t Call Me Grandma, written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, received high praise in a review from The School Library Journal. The SLJ praised the picture’s book sparse storytelling and portrayal of a complicated great-grandmother and writes that, “Elizabeth Zunon has been a force to reckon with.” They call the book as a whole, “Sharp and smart.”

You can read the full article here and purchase a copy of Don’t Call Me Grandma here.

Kate Merritt’s Beach Baby

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

kate merritt beach baby

Kate Merrit’s Beach Baby One of Amazon’s Best Books of the Month

June 8, 2016i

Kate Merrit‘s recent board book, Beach Baby, has been named one of Amazon’s best books of June for the category of Baby to Age 2. Beach Baby is part of the Indestructibles series, a series of board books designed to handle the rough attention of babies and toddlers. It tells the sweet story of a baby’s day at the beach. Congratulations, Kate!

To check out the full list of winners, follow this link. You can order Beach Baby online here.

Kate Merritt’s Beach Baby Is Out Today

April 5, 2015

Beach Baby by Kate Merritt is now available for purchase. Beach Baby is part of the Indestructibles series which makes books designed so babies can chew on them, droll on them, or spill on them without the book being ruined. This latest addition tells the story of baby’s day at the beach, and is built to withstand the beach too! You can order this adorable book online here.

P.U.R.S.T. Adventures Series by Ashley Spires

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

Gordon: Bark to the Future! by Ashley Spires Is Out Today, With Excellent Reviews

May 1, 2018

Happy book birthday to Gordon: Bark to the Future! by Ashley Spires! The junior graphic novel is the latest installment of Spires’ popular P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) series, and stars Gordon, a genius dog who must use his super intelligence to combat aliens and save his friends (and his humans). But when his plan to travel back in time goes wrong, will Gordon be able to help after all?

Gordon: Bark to the Future! has already received a handful of great reviews, preceding its release. Kirkus Review calls it “wry, dry, and adorable,” insisting that newcomers to the series “will want to start at the Binky-beginning when done” and championing Spires’ “hilariously deadpan narration.” Booklist describes it as “ridiculous in the best way and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.” School Library Journal remarks that “Spires once more offers strong writing, and her adorable and quirky cartoon illustrations are well composed.”

Don’t miss out on this laugh-out-loud funny book- grab your copy of Gordon: Bark to the Future! here today.

Ashley Spires Nominated for Two Chocolate Lily Book Awards

June 21, 2017

The Chocolate Lily Book Awards is a reader’s choice awards that selects some of the best children’s fiction from authors and illustrators from British Columbia in Canada. Every year, they nominate books in categories such as picture books and novels. This year, Canadian author/illustrator Ashley Spires was nominated for two different books (see below)! Congratulations, Ashley!

Picture Books – Spare Dog Parts, written by Alison Hughes and illustrated by Ashley Spires

Chapter Books/Early Novels – Fluffy Strikes Back, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires

The Chocolate Lily Book Award’s full list of nominated books is available here.

Seven of Painted Words’s Authors/Illustrators Books Included in Bank Street’s Best Children Books of the Year 2017

May 2, 2017

Every year, the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education compile a list of the best children’s books of the previous year. Based on criteria such as literary excellence, quality of illustration, diversity, and emotional impact, these books are recommended for parents, librarians, and children. This year, Bank Street has chosen seven of Painted Words’s books as some of the best books of 2016!

Under Five:

Five to Nine:

Nine to Twelve:

Bank Street’s full list of recommended books can be found here. Congratulations to our Painted Words artists and authors!

Watch the Book Trailer for Fluffy Strikes Back

April 13, 2016

The book trailer for Ashley Spires’ Fluffy Strikes Back is now online! Watch below:


Ashley Spires’s New Graphic Novel, Fluffy Strikes Back, Now Available For Purchase

April 5, 2016

Fluffy Strikes Back, the first volume in Ashley Spires‘s new series, P.U.R.S.T. Adventures, is now out! This hilarious graphic novel tells the adventure of Sergeant Fluffy of P.U.R.S.T., a coalition of cats and pets working together to protect the planet from aliens, aka bugs. When Fluffy discovers that P.U.R.S.T. headquarters has been taken over by bugs, he leaps into action to protect his comrades and his planets. Fluffy Strikes Back is a spin-off of Ashley’s popular Binky Adventure Series and Kirkus Reviews calls it, “a must for Binky’s legions of faithful feline fans.” You can order a copy online here.