In a starred review of Carla and the Christmas Cornbread (Simon & Schuster by Carla Hall, illustrated by Cherise Harris, Publishers Weekly says: In warm, vintage-toned acrylic inks and digital art, Harris beautifully renders the nuances of Christmas in a close-knit Black family, from taking off shoes at the door to foam rollers adorning the girls’ hair as they lay down to sleep, in this gift of a book. Read the full review here The book will be published November 2. Pre-order it here
In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, The Los Angeles Library will be hosting a panel discussion with award-winning illustrators and authors Isol, Rafael Lopez and Elisa Chavarri. They will show us how to draw one of their characters and talk about their illustrations and the stories behind them. This L.A. Libros Fest event will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Learn more here
In a BBC spot about the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Alyssa Bermudez, author and illustrator of Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook Press) reflects on her personal memories of September 11 and discusses writing and illustrating her graphic novel memoir. See the interview here Get the book here
Michael Slack has three new drawings in a group show called, ARTDORKS: Socially Distanced (As Usual) at The ToyRoom Gallery in Sacramento. There will be opening receptions 9/17/21 and 9/18/20 7-11pm. The show will run through 11/13/21.
Bank Street College of Education has just released their Best Children’s Books of the Year list for 2021. The under 5 category includes: Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon Federico and the Wolf (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) by Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri Friday Night Wrestlefest (Roaring Brook) by J. F. Fox, illustrated by Micah Player Welcome to Your World (Candlewick) by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Jaime Kim 5-9 Just Like Me (Knopf BFYR) by Vanessa Brantley Newton 9-12 Above the Rim (Abrams) by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison Sharuko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri Congratulations Everyone! You can see the full list here
Several Painted Words artists are represented in the Kid’s Book Choice Awards nominations! Initial voting is open for the Children’s Book Council’s 2021 Kids Book Choice Awards! Kids ages 3-18 can vote for the nominated Painted Words titles below in their respective categories here. This round of voting, concluding on September 8th, will determine finalists for each category,with the ultimate round of voting occurring from late-September to November 14th. Best Picture Book Duo Respect (Simon & Schuster) by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison I Got the School Spirit (Bloomsbury) by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison Favorite Early Reader Series Arlo & Pips (HarperCollins) by Elise Gravel Favorite Picture Book Page Above the Rim (Abrams) illustrated by Frank Morrison Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon For Beautiful Black Boys (Flyaway Books) by Michael W. Waters, illustrated by Keisha Morris Just Like Me (Penguin Random House) by Vanessa Brantley Newton Favorite Characters Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon For Beautiful Black Boys (Flyaway Books) by Michael W. Waters, illustrated by Keisha Morris I Got the School Spirit (Bloomsbury) by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
