Kirkus has given a starred review to My Block Looks Like (Viking) by Janelle Harper, illustrated by Frank Morrison. The review says “By focusing on the child’s active engagement with the neighborhood, Morrison portrays the protagonist’s excitement for this space and its people in his graffiti-style art. The artist’s careful attention to detail and the shifting visual perspectives in action scenes bring Harper’s musical text to life.” The book will be published January 2, 2024. See the full review here Pre order the book here
Publishers Weekly has given a starred review to Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage (Anne Schwartz Books) by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Il Sung Na.The review says “Na exhibits sound through vibrant colors and bold shapes against line art backgrounds, varying the style of each spread and increasingly warping the flat perspective as Cage experiments, fittingly representing his inventive music and spirit.” The book also received a starred review from BookList. See the full Publishers Weekly review here Get the book here
Today is Different, (CarolRhoda Books) by Doua Moua, illustrated by Kim Holt , has won the Social Justice Literature Award for Picturebook Fiction. This award is presented by the International Literacy Association to honor books that address social responsibility towards individuals, communities, societies, and/or the environment as well as invite reflection and socially responsible action by the reader. Learn more about the awards, and see a full list of winners here Get the book here
Publishers Weekly has given a starred review to Breaking to the Beat! (Lee & Low) by Linda J. Acevedo, illustrated by Frank Morrison. The review says “…graffiti-inflected art style makes smart use of changing perspectives, crowd scenes, and dance silhouettes to showcase a triumphant story of a child honing his talent…” The book has also received starred reviews from Booklist, The Horn Book, School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews. Read the full Publishers Weekly review here Get the book here
Booklist has given a rave review to The Bronx is My Home (Christy Ottaviano Books) by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris; illustrated by Kim Holt. The book will be published Octobere 24, 2024. Pre order it here See the full review below: A love letter to the Bronx, the only New York City borough with a definite article in its name. Afro-Latinx Santiago Alvarez-Rosario and his mom spend Saturday visiting all of the cool places their borough has to offer—the Bronx Zoo, Orchard Beach, Little Italy, and more. Striking down stereotypes, this joyous picture book shows the city’s northernmost town as a place of rich history and culture. It also offers eye-opening stats, such as how Pelham Bay Park is more than three times the size of Central Park and the High Bridge is the oldest bridge in the city. Passing mentions of Fordham University and the Edgar Allan Poe Park highlight some of the more recognizable sites, but much of Santiago’s narrative focuses on unsung gems. The boy’s energy is contagious, which is reflected in the effusive text. The illustrations add to the work’s liveliness. Bright colors take up full spreads. The art is digitally rendered in acrylic and pencil, giving the […]
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.
