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!
The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of ALA, has launched a new public-awareness campaign called “Babies Need Words Every Day: Talk, Read, Sing, Play.” Eight gorgeous posters featuring Il Sung Na‘s artwork are now available to download for FREE on the ALSC website. Each poster includes a simple, fun activity to help mothers communicate with their little ones. The ALSC states that the campaign is “designed to help parents and caregivers understand the importance of enriching communication with their babie…The campaign is kicking off with free and customizable resources that offer caregivers instant, fun ways to boost their children’s language base and build all-important pathways for learning.” Visit the ALSC site for more information and the FREE posters!
Charlie Piechart and the Case of the Missing Pizza Slice won’t be released until September 1st, but it received its first review this month from Kirkus. Kirkus only had praise for Comstock’s and Sadler’s ingenious math detective tale: “The authors find sneaky ways to seamlessly add more and more fractions to the tale while at the same time upping the humor…Kids will have fun following Charlie as he solves the mystery and reinforce their fraction skills along the way.” Read the full review here. Can’t wait to get your hands on a copy? Pre-order here and ensure you receive Charlie PieChart the day it comes out.
The verdict is in: Mr. Puffball is a star! A Publishers Weekly review called Mr. Puffball a “quirky, humorous debut.” Featuring Constance’s hilarious black-and-white illustrations, the book chronicles one ambitious cat’s journey from New Jersey to Hollywood and his humorous attempts to break into showbiz. Publishers Weekly wrote, “Emotions run high and dramatic moments are many, but Mr. Puffball’s positive attitude and growing understanding that good friends are what matter most light up the pages.” The book doesn’t release until September, but you can pre-order a copy now!
Watch this fascinating interview with illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton on PBS’ “Black Writers of Children’s Books.” Vanessa takes us into her studio, where she describes her creative process, the importance of diversity in children’s books, and her inspirations. Vanessa then joins author Carole Boston Weatherford in the PBS studio for “Black Issues Forum.”
