Lori Nowicki

Lori Nowicki holds a Master’s Degree in Education and worked extensively as a teacher and specialist in public schools for ten years. As a special needs teacher she helped students in all areas, but found a passion for inspiring reluctant readers to love books. Her favorite project was teaching her sixth grade classes how to write and illustrate comic books. In 1992, she began representing several of her illustrator friends, while teaching part-time.

In 2006 she formed Painted Words, a boutique literary arts agency focused on representing diverse talent. Lori has brought her background in education to the field of publishing, helping aspiring authors and illustrators tell their stories. In her nearly thirty years of representing artists, she has mentored up-and-coming talent and worked with award-winning and bestselling creators on a range of projects in the publishing industry and beyond.

Claire (Easton) Morance

Claire Morance has been with Painted Words since 2012. She is currently seeking picture book submissions from author-illustrators. She loves stories with humor and heart, relatable characters, unpredictable endings, and books that reflect the diversity of children’s experiences. Her favorite stories inspire compassion, curiosity, and a fresh way of looking at the world.

Shadra Strickland

Shadra Strickland has been a part of the Painted Words family since 2008 as an award-winning illustrator and author. She is stepping up as an agent-at-large to help develop and represent new talent within the industry. Shadra is interested in humorous character driven picture books; graphic novels and picture books that highlight unique cultural experiences; lyrical texts; and unique illustration styles. Shadra also enjoys helping illustrators find their writing voice. She teaches Book Illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art and online at Craftsy.com

Sarah Dillard

Sarah Dillard has been with the Painted Words family for over twenty years as an illustrator and author of picture books, beginner graphic novels and early chapter books. She is excited to take on the new role of agent to help illustrators develop their ideas into stories only they can tell. Sarah is interested in stories that explore universal feelings that all children can relate to, but told in original voices with unexpected twists. She loves stories that strike to the core, and funny characters who stay with you long after the book is finished.

Award Winners/Best Sellers

Pura Belpré Award
2022 Illustrator and Author Honor – Nomar Perez, De aquí como el coquí
2021 Illustrator Honor- Elisa Chavarri, Sharuko

Coretta Scott King Award

2023 Coretta Scott King (Illustrator)- Frank Morrison, Standing in the Need of Prayer
2021 Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award- Frank Morrison, R-E-S-P-E-C-T
2018 Illustrator Honor – Frank Morrison, Let the Children March
2014 Illustrator Honor – Frank Morrison, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
2009 John Steptoe Award for New Talent – Shadra Strickland, Bird
2005 John Steptoe Award for New Talent – Frank Morrison, Jazzy Miz Mozetta

Caledecott Honor
2014 Molly Idle, Flora and the Flamingo

Ezra Jack Keats Award
2014 New Illustrator Honor – K.G. Campbell, Tea Party Rules
2013 New Illustrator Honor – K.G. Campbell, Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters
2009 New Illustrator Award – Shadra Strickland, Bird

SCBWI Golden Kite Award
2022 Best Picture Book Illustration – Stephen Costanza, King of Ragtime
2013 Best Picture Book Illustration – K.G. Campbell, Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters

New  York Times Bestseller List

From My Head to My Toes – illustrated by Bea Jackson
Taylor Swift, A Little Golden Book Biography- illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
The Queen of Kindergarten – illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
The King of Kindergarten – illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
Parker Looks Up – illustrated by Bea Jackson
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo – illustrated by EG Keller
Take Heart My Child – illustrated by Jaime Kim
Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog – illustrated by Gene Barretta
The Care and Keeping of You, Books 1 & 2 – illustrated by Josee Masse

Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal

2020 Frank  Morrison, R-E-S-P-E-C-T
2019 Frank Morrison, The Roots of Rap

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work
Our Children Can Soar, illustrations by Shadra Strickland and Frank Morrison
(nominated) The Youngest Marcher, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
(nominated) Just Like a Mama, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
(nominated) Parker Looks Up, illustrated by Brittany Jackson
(nominated) Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, illustrated by Frank Morrison
(nominated) White Water, illustrated by Shadra Strickland
(nominated) Eliza’s Freedom Road, illustrated by Shadra Strickland
(nominated) Little Melba and her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison

CCBC Charlotte Zolotow Award
2015 The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

Jane Addams Peace Award
(Honor) 2014 We Shall Overcome, illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Governor General’s Award
2013 Le monde fabuleux de Monsieur Fred, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard
2012 La clé à molette, Elise Gravel

CCBC Choice
2017 The Quickest Kid in Clarksville, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2017 The Opposite Zoo by Il Sung Na
2017 Don’t Call Me Grandma, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2016 My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2016 One Plastic Bag, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2016 Poems in the Attic, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2015 Lend a Hand, illustrated by London Ladd
2015 Little Melba and her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2015 Flora and the Penguin, by Molly Idle
2015 The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated Vanessa Brantley Newton
2015 The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires
2013 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
2015 What Ship is Not a Ship?, illustrated by Josee Masse
2015 Not My Girl, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

Bank Street College Best Books of the Year
2023 Millions of Maxes, illustrated by Micah Player
2023 Because of You, John Lewis, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown
2023 The Tunnel, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina
2023 Black Gold, illustrated by London Ladd
2023 We Play Soccer, illustrated by Nomar Perez
2023 Our World is a Family, illustrated by Nomar Perez
2023 Mommy’s Hometown, illustrated by Jaime Kim
2023 Standing in Need of Prayer, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2023 Uncle John’s City Garden, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2023 Killer Underwear Invasion, by Elise Gravel
2023 Beatrice Bly’s Rules for Spies, illustrated by Beth Mills
2023 Playtime for Little Rascals, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2023 Bright Winter Night, by Alli Brydon
2019 Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2019 Gordon: Bark to the Future (P.U.R.S.T. series) by Ashley Spires
2019 I Got the Christmas Spirit, written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison
2019 Let the Children March, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2019 Snail Mail, illustrated by Julia Patton
2019 The Great Dictionary Caper, illustrated by Eric Comstock
2019 Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2019 Terrific Tongues, illustrated by Jia Liu
2018 One Last Word, with illustrations by Frank Morrison and Elizabeth Zunon
2018 Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2018 The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
2018 Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel, illustrated by Ashley Spires
2018 The Youngest Marcher, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2018  Thirsty, Thirsty Elephants, illustrated by Fabricio Vanden Broeck
2018 Stolen Words, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
2018 Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel
2018 Noah Webster’s Fighting Words, illustrated by Mircea Catusanu
2018 The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2017 Mouse Scouts: Camp Out by Sarah Dillard
2017 Who Wants a Tortoise? by Dave Keane and illustrated by K.G. Campbell
2017 Echo Echo, illustrated by Josée Masse
2017 The Quickest Kid in Clarksville, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2017 Spare Dog Parts, illustrated by Ashley Spires
2017 Fluffy Strikes Back by Ashley Spires
2016 Don’t Call Me Grandma, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2016 Frederick’s Journey, illustrated by London Ladd
2016 Sunday Shopping, illustrated by Shadra Strickland
2016 My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2016 Welcome Home, Bear by Il Sung Na
2016 One Plastic Bag, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2016 Poems in the Attic, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2015 The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
2015 Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
2015 I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison
2015 Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2013 A President from Hawai’i, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2013 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2013 We Shall Overcome, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2013 Every Little Thing, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2013 Now & Ben, illus. by Gene Baretta
2013 Timeless Thomas by Gene Barretta
2013 Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra by Stephen Costanza
2013 Red, White, and Boom! by Huy Voun Lee

Applied Arts Award
2015 Lucie Crovatto
2011 Lucie Crovatto
2004 Elise Gravel
2002 Elise Gravel
2002 Michael Slack (Digital Category)

TIME Magazine’s Top 10 Children’s Books
2007 Motherbridge of Love by Josee Masse

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
2022 Kick Push, by Frank Morrison
2022 The Queen of Kindergarten, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2022 Pink, Blue, and You by Elise Gravel
2022 Because of You, John Lewis, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown
2019 The Roots of Rap, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2017 Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes, illustrated by Sue Cornelison
2017 Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel
2017 Lucía the Luchadora, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez
2017 Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2017 The Youngest Marcher, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
2017 The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
2014 The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
2014 Under the Freedom Tree, illustrated by London Ladd
2014 I Got the Rhythm, written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illus. by Frank Morrison
2011 Mirror, Mirror, illustrated by Josee Masse
2012 Six Sheep Sip Thick Shakes, illustrated by Steve Mack
2009 The City Kid and the Suburb Kid, illustrated by Linda Bleck

WSRA Picture This! List
2015 Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
2015 The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
2015 The Fly by Elise Gravel
2015 The Worm by Elise Gravel
2015 The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

NAPPA Gold Award
2015 Sunny Day Pond, illustrated Betsy Snyder (Game category)
2014 Alice in Dallas written by Marilyn Sadler
2010 Perfectly Arugula by Sarah Dillard

SLJ African-American Experience Children’s Literary Reference Guide (2010-2015)
My Hands Sing the Blues, illustrated Elizabeth Zunon
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind, illustrated Elizabeth Zunon
We Shall Overcome, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
One Love, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Every Little Thing, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ballerina Dreams, illustrated by Frank Morrison
Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-up, illustrated by Frank Morrison
Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-up, illustrated by Frank Morrison
I Got the Rhythm, by Connie Shofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison

NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
2015 Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison

CSMCL Best Multicultural Book
2019 I Am Farmer, illus. Elizabeth Zunon
2019 The King of Kindergarten, illus. Vanessa Brantley-Newton
2015 Not My Girl, illus. Gabrielle Grimard
2015 Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illus. by Frank Morrison

Kirkus Best Children Books
2022 Playtime for Little Rascals, illustrated by Liz Zunon
2022 Black Gold, illustrated by London Ladd
2022 Standing in Need of Prayer, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2022 Because of You, John Lewis, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown
2022 Everything in its Place, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
2021 Like A Dandelion, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee
2019 The Roots of Rap, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2019 Where Are You From, illustrated by Jaime Kim
2019 My Shoes & I, illustrated by Fabricio Vanden Broeck
2014 The Mermaid and the Shoe by KG Campbell
2012 Hide & Seek by Il Sung Na
2011 Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit by Il Sung Na

New York Public Library Best Books for Kids
2019 The Roots of Rap, illustrated by Frank Morrison
2019 La Luna Mango, illustrated by Sue Cornelison
2019 ¿De dónde eres?, illustrated by Jaime Kim
2018 Midnight Teacher, illustrated by London Ladd
2017 Noah Webster’s Fighting Words, illustrated by Mircea Catusanu
2017 If You Were the Moon, illustrated by Jaime Kim
2017 Thunder Underground, illustrated by Josée Masse
2017 Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel
2016 Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta
2016 Echo Echo, illustrated by Josée Masse

NPR Best Books of the Year
2017 Lucía the Luchadora, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez
2017 Bird, Balloon, Bear by Il Sung Na
2016 The Opposite Zoo by Il Sung Na
2016 Don’t Call Me Grandma, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon