Ashley Spires’ graphic novel series, Binky the Space Cat, is now on TV! On September 7th, Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe produced by Nelvana premiered on Treehouse in Canada. Similar to the books, the show follows Binky and his fellow pet agents as they fight off the “aliens” aka flies to protect their human families. Click here for more information on the show
The King of Kindergarten, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton and written by Derrick Barnes, hit the NY Times Bestseller List at #7 in its first week out. The accolades are pouring in… -Featured in the NY Times “Back-to-School Picture Books to Brighten Any Kid’s First Day” -Starred Reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books -Picked as an Amazon Best Book of the Month for July, Ages 3-5 -Today.com included THE KING OF KINDERGARTEN in a roundup of books to calm back-to-school jitters -Bookish included THE KING OF KINDERGARTEN in a roundup of Summer’s must reads -B&N Kids Blog included THE KING OF KINDERGARTEN in a roundup of picture books for back to school -Common Sense Media gave THE KING OF KINDERGARTEN a five starred review
Advanced praise is in for Mama’s Work Shoes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton. Kirkus praises Brantley Newton’s illustrations: “Brantley-Newton’s collaged depictions of a middle-class, rambunctious, mixed-race child, her exuberant single mother, and the vivacious Nan (both women of color) are bright and dynamic.” Publishers Weekly writes: “Levis skillfully relates the push-and-pull negotiations between a young child and a parent returning to work, and Brantley-Newton’s digital artwork renders the related range of emotional expression.” And from Booklist: “It’s a clever approach to the common experience of separation anxiety…Brantley-Newton’s charcoal pencil drawings, digitally colored and collaged with handmade, vintage, and scrapbook paper, produce warm, vibrant images that keep the story upbeat.” The book is out September 3rd from Abrams. You can pre-order your copy here.
Once Upon a Goat, illustrated by Eric Barclay and released on August 27th, has received exciting praise. The book is an Amazon Best Book of the Month: Ages 3-5, and was selected as a Fall 2019 Kids’ Indie Next List book! From the Kids’ Indie Next List: “This is an adorable, funny, and heartwarming story of a king and queen who are wishing for a baby. Their fairy godmother wants specifics, so they tell her, ‘Any kid will do!’ But when they look on their doorstep on the next full moon, they are surprised to see a different type of ‘kid’…a fuzzy baby goat! A clever story with the most charming illustrations, this is a must for any reader’s bookshelf!” — Amanda Zirn Hudson, Bethany Beach Books, Bethany Beach, DE Get your copy here.
The New York Times Book Review included Elizabeth Zunon’s debut author-illustrated picture book, Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate from Farm to Family, in its roundup of “Picture Books to Perk Up Any Kid’s Summer.” Children’s book critic Maria Russo writes, “Zunon, who based the story on her own childhood, uses a winsome blend of paint, collage and ghostly screen-printed figures that represent the faraway Grandpa Cacao — who appears in a buoyant surprise ending, just as the cake is ready.” Get your copy here.
In “Back-to-School Picture Books to Brighten Any Kid’s First Day,” children’s book critic Maria Russo features a list of wonderful new titles to usher in the school year. Among them are The King of Kindergarten, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, and Nugget & Fang Go to School, illustrated by Michael Slack. Of The King of Kindergarten she writes, “This is a king whose power comes from self-respect and kindness toward all the members of his diverse classroom, and it doesn’t hurt that Brantley-Newton makes him and his classmates drop-dead adorable.” Russo commends the Nugget & Fang sequel, writing, “Sauer (“Quiet Wyatt”) and Slack (“Shorty and Clem”) keep up the laughs, and the reassurance.” Buy your copies of Nugget & Fang Go to School here and The King of Kindergarten here.
