Publisher’s Weekly has revealed the cover of Stand Up (Orchard) by Brittney Cooper, illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson. An academic and activist by day, bestselling author Brittney Cooper wanted to write a book for Black girls that would remind them that history is not only made by Black men, that they also have a role to play. In Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change, Cooper highlights the contributions of 10 Black women and girls who were instrumental in influencing the world we live in. Illustrator Cathy Ann Johnson devised the cover for Stand Up! based on Cooper’s preference for a vibrant illustrative style and rich color palette. “I wanted this book to feel not too heavy or somber or serious,” Cooper said. “I wanted a bit of lift and lightness. Cathy has an amazing eye and I think she got the vision for this book.” The book will be published in August. Read the full PW article here
De Aqui Como El Coqui (Dial Books), written and illustrated by Nomar Perez, translated by Farah Perez, has been awarded Pura Belpre honors for both Author and Illustrator at the 2022 ALA Youth Media Awards. Congratulations Nomar! Get the book here
A jury convened by the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee has awarded one of three silver medals to: Sharuko: El arqueólogo Peruano Julio C. Tello (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, deeming it one of the best Spanish language picture books of 2020 and 2021. This biennial prize was first awarded in 2020 for books published in 2018 and 2019. Congratulations Elisa! Get the book here
The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver (HarperCollins) by Gene Barretta, illustrated by Frank Morrison is one of three selected books for Virginia’s Reading Makes Cents Program. The program is designed to help students understand how money works in the world. On January 19, there will be a free webinar is to introduce the Reading Makes Cents program to librarians and teachers in the Southwest Region of Virginia served by our Center for Economic Education at UVA Wise. To learn more about the program go here Register for the webinar here Get the book here
When the Schools Shut Down, (HarperCollins) by Yolanda Gladden as told to Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Keisha Morris, was published January 11, 2022. The book is an awe-inspiring autobiographical picture book about a young African American girl who lived during the shutdown of public schools in Farmville, Virginia, following the landmark civil rights case Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. Congratulations Keisha! Get the book here
Millions of Maxes (Dial Books) by Meg Wolizter, illustrated by Micah Player, was published January 11, 2022 to rave reviews. “The cheery aesthetic of Player (Paletero Man)—colors that pop, crisply rendered characters who wear their hearts on their sleeves as they run hither and yon—matches Wolitzer’s warm, knowing voice page for page, and Player’s varied digital compositions capture the visceral excitement of an action-packed day outside.” —Publishers Weekly Congratulations Micah! Get the book here
