Paletero Man (HarperCollins) written by Lucky Diaz and illustrated by Micah Player, has received a starred review from Booklist, who says “Latin Grammy winner Lucky Diaz’s upbeat song “Paletero Man” is brought to life here with vibrant colors and diverse characters. This book is a fantastic summer celebration of the cultural tradition of Mexican paletas (ice pops), as well as L.A.’s culture of street vendors.” The book has also received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and School Library Journal. Get the book here
Stephen Constanza’s latest picture book King of Ragtime (Simon & Schuster) has received glowing starred reviews form Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Kirkus calls the book “Outstanding” and Publishers Weekly says the “pitch-perfect picture book biography of Black ragtime composer Scott Joplin (c. 1867–1917)” is “A richly detailed profile fit for a king.” The book will be published September 14. Read the Kirkus review here Read the Publishers Weekly review here Pre-order the book here
My School Stinks! (Philomel/Penguin) written by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Julia Patton was published July 6, 2020. The book is a hilarious back-to-school story told through journal entries about a boy who finds himself at a new school where the other students are REAL animals. Kirkus says “This story has an amusing tongue-in-cheek quality in which the text can be read as exaggeration but the pictures bear out the child’s perspective. For children accused of having wild imaginations, this is an affirming treat. Just might convince complaining children that their school isn’t so bad after all.” Get the book here
Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook) Alyssa Bermudez‘s graphic novel memoir about growing up in New York around the time of 9/11 will be published August 17. It is already getting great reviews. Publishers Weekly says “Bermudez puts her whole heart on the page, and the love she holds for her younger self can be deeply felt in every entry.” Read the full review here Kirkus calls the book “An authentic and moving time capsule of middle school angst, trauma, and joy.” Read the full review here. You can preorder the book here
Tiny Barbarian (HarperCollins) by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Ashley Spires, and Blueberry Cake (Aladdin) by Sarah Dillard have been named Amazon picks for ages 3 to 5 for July. See all of the picks here Preorder Tiny Barbarian here Preorder Blueberry Cake here
Paletero Man (HarperCollins), written by Lucky Diaz and illustrated by Micah Player is on Publishers Weekly New and Noteworthy List for June. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly says “Player adds dynamic spreads in bright hues that often illuminate the untranslated Spanish.” See the full list of New and Noteworthy books for June here
