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

Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day by Sarah Dillard

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Sarah Dillard, Frank Morrison and Josee Masse featured on Curious City blog’s 2014 Best Of list

December 09, 2014

The Curious City blog picked three Painted Words artists for its best children’s books of 2014 line-up. The three titles are Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day by Sarah Dillard, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison, and What Ship is Not a Ship? by Josee Masse.

Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day  was deemed the “best excuse to don a cape.”

Frank Morrison’s Little Melba and Her Big Trombone was dubbed “best girl tooting her own horn.”

Josee Masse’s What Ship is Not a Ship? was praised for its “best use of word play.”

Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day is available now

Oct. 8, 2014
The delightful follow up to Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren is now available from Aladdin books at Simon & Schuster.Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day reunites readers with the eponymous chicken and his new sidekick, Egg, as they embark on another quirky adventure that combines imaginative storytelling with eye-catching art.In this installment, super-chicken Warren is thrilled to get a sidekick – Egg is newly hatched, very curious, and asks a lotof questions. When Warren tells him about his dream to fly all over the world – and even to the moon – Egg is enchanted.

The next day, Egg gets up before everybody else and decides to try out flying for himself. Amazingly, he takes off and flies through the air, but ends up going where no chicken has gone before: across the road.

When Warren eventually realizes Egg is missing, he searches high and low for his new friend until it appears there’s only one way he could’ve gone. With Egg missing and presumably helpless, however, it’s up to Warren to use his extraordinary powers to find him, even if it involves… crossing the road.

Described in a Kirkus review as “charming” and where “almost every page has a small, lovely moment”, Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day will captivate readers and serves as a quality addition to Dillard’s series.

Find it at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Advanced Praise for Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day

Sept. 15, 2014 

Our favorite super chicken, Warren, and his sidekick Egg, return in Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day, coming out October 14.  The sequel to Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren, features a chicken crossing the road and other epic adventures. In an advanced review, Kirkus wrote, “Any philosophical questions readers ever had about chickens are addressed in this graphic novel.” Philosophy and chicken puns wrapped up in Sarah’s endearing graphic art- a recipe for an all-around charming read.

Pre-order your copy here.

Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door illustrated by Gene Barretta

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Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door, illustrated by Gene Barretta, is out today!

September 2, 2014

Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door, the second book in the Next Door Series written by Denette Fretz and illustrated by Gene Barretta, comes out today.  The first book in the series is Pirates on the Farm.

 

Watch the book trailer below!

 

What’s in my Truck? by Linda Bleck

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What’s in My Truck receives praise from Kirkus Reviews

February 5, 2015

What’s in My Truck, written and illustrated by Linda Bleck, has been featured by Kirkus Reviews.

“Bleck’s cartoons, in carnival-bright colors, are simple enough to allow for recognition by the youngest readers and offer enough detail to draw in older preschoolers,” writes Kirkus.

Read the rest of the review here.

Linda Bleck’s What’s in my Truck? is Out Now!

August 27, 2014

Linda Bleck’s interactive board book, What’s in my Truck? was released by Scholastic yesterday. The book features plenty of fun flaps for kids to lift and see the interiors of a variety of vehicles. Pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order one online.

 

 

Where is the Rocket?, illustrated by Barroux

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

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Barroux’s Where is the Rocket? is Out Now

August 19, 2014

Where is the Rocket?, called “an appealing goodnight book” by Kirkus Reviews, hits shelves today.  The book is written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by Barroux. Pick up your copy here.

The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

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Lend a Hand, illus. by London Ladd, & The Hula Hoopin’ Queen illus. by Vanessa B. Newton, Make Delaware Diamonds 2015-16

July 21, 2015

Lend a Hand, illustrated by London Ladd, and The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, were selected for inclusion on the Delaware Diamonds 2015-2016 Titles 3-5 List.  The winners were voted on by students in Delaware. More information regarding the award program can be found on their website.  Congratulations London and Vanessa!

2015 Wisconsin State Reading Association “Picture This!” List

March 19, 2015

Painted Words authors and illustrators Molly Idle, Elise Gravel, Vanessa Brantley Newton, and Ashley Spires had books selected for the 2015 WSRA (Wisconsin State Reading Association) Picture This! ListFor this award, the committee evaluates books based on the quality of literature, the appeal for students, and the value for classroom use.  The books selected from our talented artists include Flora and the PenguinThe Fly, The Worm, The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, and The Most Magnificent Thing.  Congrats, ladies!

To view the full list, click here.

Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, Little Melba,Flora and the Penguin honored by CCBC

March 5, 2015
CCBC Choices is an annual list of children’s books that are considered the “best-of-the-year” for various categories including “Understanding Oneself and Others” and “Historical People, Places and Events.”The complete list of books can be found here.

Hula-Hoopin’ Queen receives Charlotte Zolotow Award

January 30, 2015

Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, written by Thelma Godin and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, was chosen as a Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Title for 2015. The CCBC Charlotte Zolotow Award recognizes outstanding picture books for children. More information about the award can be found here.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton, London Ladd, Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison selected for CPL Best Book of 2014

December 17, 2014

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.

The  Hula-Hoopin’ Queen is a Hit!

August 8, 2014

The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton and written by Thelma Lynne Godin, was released this past spring by Lee & Low Books to widespread acclaim. The book received a Starred Review from Kirkus, and two positive reviews from Horn Book and Booklist. Horn Book called The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen “a refreshingly original story,” and Booklist called it “the perfect title for sharing.” Vanessa’s illustrations truly bring Harlem to life in this sweet story of a hula hoopin’ rivalry for the ages. Pick up a copy from your local bookstore, or on the Lee & Low website.

Flora & Ulysses, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

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k.g.Flora & Ulysses Wins the Newberry Medal!

January 2014

Congrats to author, Kate DiCamillo, on winning the Newberry Medal for Flora & Ulysses!

 

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K.G. Campbell and Kate DiCamillo signing books at BEA 2013 (image credit Candlewick Press)

Flora & Ulysses Earns Accolades as 2013 Draws to an End

November 2013

Flora & Ulysses, illustrated by K.G. Campbell and written by Kate DiCamillo, has been selected by both Publishers Weekly and Hudson Booksellers as one of the Best Books of 2013!

 

Four Starred Reviews for Flora & Ulysses

November 2013

★ “Kate DiCamillo is a master storyteller.” 
Booklist (starred review) 

★ “Original, touching, and oh-so-funny.” 
Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 

★ “Amusing glimpses at the world.” 
School Library Journal (starred review) 

★ “There’s real emotion at the heart of this story.” 
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

 

Alice from Dallas, written by Marilyn Sadler

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Alice from Dallas a Finalist in the Western Writers of America 2015 Spur Awards

March 19, 2015

Alice From Dallas by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Ard Hoyt, has been selected as a Finalist in the Western Writers of America 2015 Spur Awards in the Best Western Storyteller – Illustrated Children’s book category.  Alice from Dallas is the best cowgirl at school, until new student, Lexis from Texas, shows up and gives Alice a run for her money. What School Library Journal calls “a rollicking fun read-aloud” would be at home on any cowgirl’s bookshelf.

 

See the rest of the finalists and winners here.

Marilyn Sadler’s Alice from Dallas wins NAPPA gold award

September 30, 2014

Alice from Dallas by Marilyn Sadler has won a gold award from the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA). The gold award is the highest accolade available from this prestigious organization.

NAPPA said: “Why we like it: Alice is one spunky cowgirl and there’s always a need for spunky girl stories! While she remains true to her true spunky self, she learns a lesson along the story’s trail.”

Congratulations, Marilyn!

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Alice from Dallas Earns Praise Upon Release

March 2014

Marilyn Sadler’s Alice From Dallas hits shelves this month! This funny picture book about two rivaling cowgirl classmates has been praised by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. Kirkus calls the book a “ rootin’, tootin’ story” and Booklist says it’s “a lively story for cowgirls everywhere.”

It’s A Firefly Night, illustrated by Betsy Snyder

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Untitled-2It’s a Firefly Night Wins Silver Medal Award at Florida Book Awards

January 2014

It’s A Firefly Night received the Silver Medal award in the category of Chlildren’s Literature at the 2013 Florida Book Awards. Congratulations to author Dianne Ochiltree and illustrator Betsy Snyder!

Tea Party Rules, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

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kK.G. Campbell Receives Second Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor

February 20, 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!

 

Three Starred Reviews for Tea Party Rules

August 2013

Tea Party Rules, written by Ame Dyckman with illustrations by K.G. Campbell, received Starred Reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly!

The Great Antonio, by Elise Gravel

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0 tags: books, children's, publishing

Elise Gravel’s author-illustrated picture book, Le Grand Antonio, will be released by La Pasteque this month.