Because 
of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown is included in a People Magazine collection of books by contemporary Black authors that celebrities and bestselling authors can’t stop talking about. The book will be published June 7, 2022.
See the article here
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London Ladd is featured in a spot on Spectrum News in Syracuse, New York. In the spot, London talks about his art, background and inspirations, while working on a portrait of James Baldwin. In the accompanying article London is quoted as saying “I want the colors to speak. The body language. The glimmer of the eye,” says Ladd. “I’m extremely excited about the direction of where I am going. The projects that I am doing now. They feel much more a part of my heart.”
See the spot and read the article here
Let’s Be Friends/Seamos amigos (Holiday House) by René Colato Laínez, illustrated by Nomar Perez, has been named to Tejas Star Reading List for 2022-2023!
The Tejas Star Reading List (TSRL) provides a recommended reading list to encourage children ages 5-12 to explore multicultural books and to discover the cognitive and economic benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism. The Tejas Star Reading List is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum.
Congratulations Nomar!
See the full list here
Get the book here
School Library Journal has given a starred review to Pink, Blue, and You!: Questions for Kids About Gender Stereotypes (Random/Anne Schwartz) by Elise Gravel with Mykaell Blais (text) & illus. by Elise Gravel. See the review below.
PreS-Gr 2–In her signature style, Gravel (What Is a Refugee??” and others) and Blais provide an accessible introduction to gender and gender stereotypes. Beginning with smart, open-ended questions, the authors challenge readers to think about gender stereotypes, why they exist, and if they are true or fair. The book progresses to an overview of sex versus gender, complete with helpful visual aids, an exploration of pronouns, and ultimately, a few examples of how gender is treated in different communities. At each step, the authors ask readers what they think and how they feel. This engagement, coupled with the accessible presentation of the material, makes for an excellent resource. The folks depicted throughout vary in appearance, and include many skin tones, ages, and family structures. A few folks wear hijabs, and two others use wheelchairs. Gravel’s illustrative style is wildly appealing, and the comic-style presentation helps to endear the book to readers. A slight weakness is the homogeneity of illustrated body type, though this is not enough to diminish the book’s overall value.
VERDICT Thoughtful, engaging, and visually bright, this is an excellent addition to any library serving preschool and early elementary ages.
Pink, Blue and You! will be published in March 2022. Pre-order it here
The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver (HarperCollins) by Gene Barretta, illustrated by Frank Morrison is one of three selected books for Virginia’s Reading Makes Cents Program. The program is designed to help students understand how money works in the world.
On January 19, there will be a free webinar is to introduce the Reading Makes Cents program to librarians and teachers in the Southwest Region of Virginia served by our Center for Economic Education at UVA Wise.
To learn more about the program go here
Register for the webinar here
Get the book here
Over, Bear! Under, Where? (Philomel Books) by Julie Hedlund, illustrated by Michael Slack, has been included on Today.com’s list of best toys for 2 year olds for 2021.
See the full list here
Get the book here
Paletero Man (HarperCollins) by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player has been included on Forbes.com’s list of “10 Thoughtfully Illustrated Children’s Books that Celebrate Diversity.”
See the full list here
Get the book here
In a starred review of Carla and the Christmas Cornbread (Simon & Schuster by Carla Hall, illustrated by Cherise Harris, Publishers Weekly says:
In warm, vintage-toned acrylic inks and digital art, Harris beautifully renders the nuances of Christmas in a close-knit Black family, from taking off shoes at the door to foam rollers adorning the girls’ hair as they lay down to sleep, in this gift of a book.
Read the full review here
The book will be published November 2. Pre-order it here
Congratulations to Alyssa Bermudez on the publication of Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook Press), a heartfelt diary-style graphic memoir about a young New Yorker doodles her way through middle school—until the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack leaves her wondering if she can ever be a kid again. The book is lighting up the internet this week- read about it in the following!
For anyone who hasn’t already, you can register for Alyssa’s virtual launch event with Remy Lai on Thursday at 7pm ET using this link.
Get your copy of Big Apple Diaries here
Rise: A Feminist Bo
ok Project for Ages 0-18 has selected Unbeatable Betty (HarperCollins) by Alison Crotzer Kimmel, illustrated by Joanie Stone, as one of the titles to be honored on the Rise 2021 Book List.
You can find out more about Rise: A Feminist Book Project, which is part of the Feminist Task Force of the American Library Association, and view the complete list of recommended titles here
Get the book here