Standing in the Need of a Prayer (Crown) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison has won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award! This stunning and deeply moving picture book based on the popular spiritual from an award-winning author and critically acclaimed illustrator. The classic lyrics have been reworked to chronicle the milestones, struggles, tragedies, and triumphs of African American history. Congratulations Frank! Get the book here
The Northern Lights Book Awards have been announced, and three Painted Words artists are on the list. Our World is a Family (Sourcebooks Explore) by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson, illustrated by Nomar Perez is the winner of the Picture Book Non-Fiction category. Playtime for Restless Rascals (Sourcebook Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon is the winner of the Family Category, and A Prayer for Our Country (Zonderkidz) by Senate Chaplain Barry Black, illustrated by Kim Holt is the winner of the Religious/Spiritual category. See the full list here
All Aboard the Schooltrain: A Little Story from the Great Migration (Scholastic) by Glenda Armand, illustrated by Keisha Morris has received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Here’s what they said: * “A vivid evocation of place and era rolling solidly on a bed of timeless values.” ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review * “A child-friendly picture book introducing the Great Migration.” ― Booklist, starred review * “Lends the meandering feel of family stories to this portrait of a historical moment.” ― Publishers Weekly, starred review Congratulations Keisha! Get the book here
Publishers Weekly has given a starred review to How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee (Candlewick) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. The review says “Morrison’s distinctive portraiture shows the protagonist meeting with Black legends in Akron, and juxtaposes the community support Cox enjoys in her home state with experiences of racial discrimination in the nation’s capital.” How Do You Spell Unfair? will be published April 11 2023. Read the full review here Pre order the book here
Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom (Holiday House) by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon has been selected for the 2023 Rise: A Feminist Book Project Booklist. Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 has been promoting quality feminist literature for young readers since 2002 as a part of the Feminist Task Force and the Social Responsibilities Round Table. Get the book here
Keisha Morris’s cover for Words of Wonder (Doubleday) by Zaila Avant-garde is featured on people.com. Avant-garde was the 2021 winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The book will be published June 27, 2023. See the article here Pre order the book here
