Book bans are at an all-time high, most often blocking access to books featuring diversity, factual history, gender, sexuality, and the LGBTQ+ experience. Our librarians are under attack and now—more than ever—we need their presence and steadfast dedication to protect reading culture across the country. Painted Words artists TeMika Grooms, Alex Nees, Chamisa Kellogg, Huy Voun Lee, Cherise Harris and Romina Rollhauser (cover). led by author J. F. Fox, are speaking up loud and clear to denounce book bans and support the librarians protecting kids’ freedom to read, by creating a piece, suitable for printing on a 4×6″ post card that can be printed out and mailed to elected officials. To download art for postcards, go here.
School Library Journal has given a starred review to Baking with Mi Abuelita (Random BFYR) by Julissa Mora, and says the “Illustrations are delightful, perfectly portraying the big emotions that come with a big celebration….This book is a fabulous example of Rudine Sims Bishop’s mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors concept. ” The book will be published September 12. Congratulations Julissa! Preorder the book here Read the full review here
In a review of Esperanza Caramelo, The Star of Nochebuena (Knopf) by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri Kirkus says “Chavarri’s effervescent artwork offers an appealing depiction of Navidad, with all its baked-in promises of magic.” Read the full review here The book will be published September 12, 2023. Pre order it here
Erika Lynne Jones, illustrator of The Loud Librarian ( Simon & Schuster) by Jenna Beatrice, and Black Girls: A Celebration of You (HarperCollins) by Dominique Furukawa is featured in an article in the Moms We Love Section of DFW Child. In the interview, Erika talks about how she has cultivated her talent to create quirky characters that help kids feel seen. Read the article here Get the Loud Librarian here Pre order Black Girls: A Celebration of You here
Freshman Year (Christy Ottaviano Books), by Sarah Mai has been selected by the Junior Library Guild. The book, a stylish graphic novel about the unique angst, humor, and self-doubt universal to the experience of going away to college, will be published in February 2024. Pre-order it here
Michael Slack’s sculptures are featured in a solo show at The Compound Gallery titled Chunky Artifacts: Objects For Future Discovery,featuring new drawings and ceramic sculptures. In the distant future when cultural archaeologists are sifting through the detritus of contemporary culture what objects will they unearth? What stories will they attach to these objects? Will there be a point in the future where all mythology merges into a single universal mythology? If so, what would the personifications of this mythology look like? Objects for Future Discoveries is Slack’s playful attempt to explore these questions. Chunky Artifacts is also a humorous contemplation on disposable culture and the valuation of fine art. Learn more here
