Congratulations to Beth Mills, who was chosen as the winner of the 2018 SCBWI Narrative Art Award! This year’s assignment was to show sequence and narrative for the theme “misunderstood monster.” A note from the judges: We chose Beth’s story of bad Nordic neighbors for its original take on the assignment, for its effective three-panel creation of an interesting emotional arc, and for its compact and natural-feeling way of conveying story elements by purely visual means. You can read more about the annual award here and view the online gallery of submissions here.
STARSTRUCK: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson, illustrated by Frank Morrison has been selected to the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 for 2019 list! The Outstanding Science Trade Book list is a joint project of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the CBC since 1973, Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 represents the year’s best books for science classrooms, chosen by science educators. To read the full list of titles, click here, and grab your copy of STARSTRUCK here.
Each year, the New York Public Library compiles a list of “outstanding children’s titles,” and this year, Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School illustrated by London Ladd is featured on that list! The historical fiction picture book received a starred review from Kirkus earlier this year, which admired Ladd’s “detailed, realistic illustrations” and described the book as “an excellent homage to an African-American woman who taught ahead of her time.” You can grab your copy of Midnight Teacher here and view the full NYPL Best Books for Kids 2018 list here.
The Roots of Rap illustrated by Frank Morrison, has garnered a series of spectacular reviews ahead of its publication in January 2019. The book received a starred review from Kirkus, which deemed it “supa-dupa fly, with lush illustrations anchored in signature hip-hop iconography” and explains that the “illustrations set the stage” for the storyline. Yet another starred review from Booklist remarks on the book’s “excellent job of capturing the essence of rap,” noting how the “images swirl and flow across the page” and praises the many “visual details” Morrison provides, especially those on the “attention-getting cover.” Starred review #3 comes from School Library Journal, which highlights the way Morrison “plays with perspective and scale in such a way that each page stands out uniquely from the last.” The Roots of Rap also made School Library Journal’s list of Phenomenal Titles for November 2018! Make sure to pre-order The Roots of Rap here today!
Eric Barclay’s adorably illustrated book, My Pet Wants a Pet, is featured on Parents’ Magazine’s 15 Best Children’s Books 2018 list, as 2018’s Best Picture Book. This esteemed list is selected by experts (and 75 kid testers) to give an accurate depiction of what the true best picture books of the year were and which will surely continue to be favorites in years to come. Written by Elise Broach, My Pet wants a Pet depicts every child’s-and pet’s- desire to have something to take care of. Critics call it “pure fun” – this book is sure to make you feel a little more love with its heartfelt story and charming illustrations! Check out the full list here and make sure to get your own copy of My Pet Wants a Pet here.
Josh Crute‘s debut authored picture book, Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing On Earth, has received favorable reviews since its publication in September. Kirkus describes the delightful picture book as “a standout way to impart an important life lesson about winning and losing” and praises its “clean design,” also noting the varying skin tones of onlookers and ultimately dubbing it “a gentle reminder that runners-up are important, too.” Writers’ Rumpus points out the “five fabulous things” about the book: Oliver, the illustrations, the turning point, back matter, and the “subtle, sweet, important” message. Reading Style Guide notes that Crute explores the “ever-present phenomena” of the obsession with being first, and admires the “insightful details” of the illustrations. Grab your copy of Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing On Earth here.
