Happy Book Birthday to The Cool Code (Harper Collins) by Deirdre Langeland, illustrated by Sarah Mai. In this funny and heartfelt slice-of-life graphic novel for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller, when coding whiz Zoey goes from homeschooled to new school, she develops an app to help her make friends. Will the Cool Code help Zoey fit in? Or will it completely crash her social life? Advance praise for The Cool Code: “Mai’s bright, full-color art is reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s and should instantly appeal to her fans.” — Kirkus Reviews “A humorous exploration of cracking the middle school social code for anyone craving more personified snarky llamas in their lives.” — School Library Journal “Mai’s full-color artwork is inviting and cartoony, complete with noodle arms and exaggerated eyes, but the app avatar C.C., a pink llama, is simply adorable and certainly the star of the show. An easy and engaging pick for STEM-loving middle-graders.” — Booklist Meet Sarah Mai in person at Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis on November 19 at 2:00! Get the book here
TeMika Grooms has designed a billboard in Fairburn, Georgia to encourage voting with Harness and Imagine Justice. In addition, you can download the @artiviveapp to view the Augmented Reality design by Calvin Williams featuring his AR animation of her artwork. Just use the #artivive app to view the artwork through your phone and watch the art come to life! GO VOTE!!
Happy Book Birthday to If I Were a Tiger (WaterBrook) by Caroline Coleman, illustrated by Nadya Bonten-Slenders. The book is a whimsical and playful rhyming picture book about a young boy who imagines himself as a tiger to overcome his fears—only to realize that he can trust in God. Congratulations Nadya! Get the book here
In a review for Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready (Philomel Books) by Raphael Warnock, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, Publishers Weekly says “Foregrounding portraiture and images of figures’ footwear, Grooms’s illustrations have the sweep of murals, portraying characters of varying abilities and skin tones, and communicating Warnock’s purpose-driven efforts. The book is an autobiographical picture book by Georgia’s first Black Senator, and senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, once led by Martin Luther King Jr., and will be published on January 10, 2023. See the full review here Preorder the book here
Happy Book Birthday to Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker (Christy Ottaviano Books) by Gene Barretta, illustrated by Craig Orback. Praise for Starring Steven Spielberg: “Scenes from a famous director’s childhood…. Panoramic, colorful, action-packed spreads give the book a cinematic feel…. Educational and entertaining.”—Kirkus Reviews “Budding film buffs gain insight into the work of Steven Spielberg….Opening with Spielberg’s early experience as a moviegoer in the 1950s, the book shines a particular spotlight on the way that experiences from his youth, ranging from anxiety to his parents’ divorce, shaped his sensibilities as a director.”—Publishers Weekly Congratulations Gene! Get the book here
Alphabedtime (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by Betsy Snyder, is coming out October 25 and is already getting praise. It is an Amazon editors’ Best Pick for picture books age 3-5, Kirkus calls the book “A playful approach to teaching kids the alphabet“, And it is on the Children’s Book Council list of books “Hot off the Press” for October. Follow Betsy on Instragram to learn more and see some fun sneak previews. Congratulations, Betsy! Pre-order the book here
