The praise keeps coming in for Katheryn Russell-Brown’s and Frank Morrison’s picture book, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. The book was a School Library Journal selection as a Top Picks for Children’s Books for the month of July, and received two more starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal! From the School Library Journal starred review: “Music lovers will enjoy this picture-book biography of Melba Liston (1926-99), child prodigy and virtuoso trombonist who collaborated with most 20th century jazz greats. An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story…Morrison’s distinctive illustrations, stretched out like a slide trombone, draw the eye across each spread to the page turn.” Publishers Weekly: “Morrison’s oil paintings practically sway with a jazz beat, though somber moments crop up, too: the shadows on Liston’s face signify the trials of life on the road. A final image showing long-limbed Liston in profile as she plays under the glow of stage lights is exquisite.”
Little Melba and her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, has received a Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews. The book chronicles the life of legendary jazz musician, Melba Doretta Liston. From the review: “Morrison’s sinuous, exaggerated lines are the perfect match for Melba’s story; she puts her entire body into her playing, the exaggerated arch of her back and thrust of her shoulders mirroring the curves of her instrument. In one thrilling spread, the evening gown–clad instrumentalist stands over the male musicians, her slide crossing the gutter while the back bow disappears off the page to the left.”
In a review for Fuse 8 Productions/ School Library Journal, Elizabeth Bird called K.G. Campbell‘s author-illustrated picture book, The Mermaid and the Shoe, “the best little mermaid related picture book of all time.” The Mermaid and the Shoe is K.G.’s second author-illustrated book, following Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters which earned him an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor and Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Illustration in 2013. Both books are published by Kids Can Press. From the review: BY ElIZABETH BIRD “With its can do mermaid who seeks answers in spite of her age and size, its beautiful watercolor and pencil crayon imagery, and writing that makes the reader feel like they’re indulging in a contemporary classic, there is no question in my mind that The Mermaid and the Shoe is the best little mermaid related picture book of all time. Utterly charming and unique, I can only hope it inspires other artists and authors to attempt to write more quality works of picture book fiction about magical creatures for the kiddos. It’s not an easy task, but when it works boy HOWDY does it work! Beguiling and bewitching, there’s only one true word to describe this book. Beautiful.” Click here to read the […]
Frank Morrison commemorated Maya Angelou with an illustration entitled “Still I Rise,” based on her famous poem of the same name. The print of the illustration is available for purchase on his website. From Maya Angelou’s poem: Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise.
I Got the Rhythm, the debut collaboration from husband-wife duo, Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison, hit shelves this month. The book, which follows a young girl on an exuberant, musical walk through the park, was published by Bloomsbury. Publishers Weekly called the book, “An upbeat celebration of the senses, self-expression, and camaraderie” and Kirkus praised the duo in a review: “Morrison is a Coretta Scott King/New Talent Award winner, and this is a fine debut for his wife in their first collaboration.” Read “5 Questions With…Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison” at reading.org
Elise Gravel’s debut young adult book, Jessie Elliot is a Big Chicken, was released by Roaring Brook Press at the end of May. The book chronicles “nerd extraordinaire” Jessie Elliot’s last summer before high school, and is told through Elise’s trademark humor and wacky doodles. Visit Elise’s blog to learn more about the book.
