One Step Further; My Story of Math, the Moon and a Lifelong Mission, (National Geographic Kids) by Katherine Johnson, and her daughters Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow was published January 26, 2021. This inspirational picture book reveals what is was like for a young black mother of three to navigate the difficult world of the 1950s and ’60s, and succeed in an unwelcoming industry to become one of the now legendary ”hidden figures” of NASA computing and space research. Congratulations Charnelle! Get the book here
Dear Deer (Henry Holt) by Gene Barretta is an Amazon Teacher’s Pick for beginning readers! This playful picture book introduces children to the richness of language through the concept of homophones. A romp through the zoo has never been so eye-opening. Congratulations Gene! See the full list here Get the book here
“Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano/Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello,”(Lee & Low) illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, written by Monica Brown has been named a Belpré Illustrator Honor Book by the American Library Association. The Pura Belpré Awards honor a Latinx writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. Congratulations Elisa! See the full list of the ALA Awards here You can get the book here
The American Library Association has awarded the Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award to R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Simon & Schuster) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. The Coretta Scott King awards recognize African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Congratulations Frank! See the full list of the ALA Awards here Get the book here
The Aquanaut (Tundra Books) by Jill Heinerth, illustrated by Jaime Kim was released on January 19 2021 and is already garnering accolades. Scuba News says Jaime Kim’s luminous art transports readers back and forth through time to see how Jill’s imagination as a young girl laid the pathway to her accomplishments and experiences as an underwater explorer. Mutually Inclusive Books says “The illustrations in this book are absolute perfection! Somehow Jaime Kim perfectly captures the comparisons of Young Jill’s dreams and Adult Jill’s achievements, while simultaneously creating the perfect calming atmosphere for young readers to reflect on their own dreams. It’s genius!” Also of interest is the author’s article in Canadian Graphic. Congratulations Jaime! You can get the book here
Brave and Kind Bookshop is hosting a Lunchtime Story Time with Nikki Grimes and Elizabeth Zunon, creators of Off to See the Sea (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) Tuesday January 19 at 12:00 pm EST. Register for the event here
