Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington (Little Bee Books) by Michael G. Long, illlustrated by Bea Jackson has been awarded “Best Illustrations” at the 2023 Black Kidlit Awards. The runner up for the award is You So Black (Denene Millner Books) by Theresa the S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D., illustrated by London Ladd. The Black Kidlit Awards highlight and celebrate Black books, authors, illustrators, and publishers. They hope to provide visibility to Black stories and drive the demand to create more diverse books filled with Black joy, history, family, friendship, and fellowship. Learn more here
Abuela’s Super Capa (HarperCollins) by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri has been named to the Bank Street College of Education’s Children’s Book Committee’s 2024 Best Spanish Language Picture Book/Mejor Libro Infantil List! See the Complete list here
Los mariachis de Adela (Charlesbridge) by Denise Vega, illustrated by Erika Medina is a Junior Libary Guild Gold Selection for 2024. The book will be published August 13, 2024 in both Spanish and English with Spanish vocabulary. Congratulations Erika!
Jerry Changed the Game! (Simon & Schuster) by Don Tate, illlustrated by Cherise Harris and How Do You Spell Unfair (Candlewick) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison are Nerdy Book Award Winners in the Nonfiction Category. See all of the Nerdy Book Award Winners here
Nesting Dolls (Crown) by Vanessa Brantley Newton is included in The Hornbook Fanfare 2023. The Fanfare is the magazine’s annual list of the year’s best books. In a starred review of the book, The Hornbook said: Brantley-Newton highlights the bonds, both visible and invisible, that connect family members. Congratulations Vanessa!
The Twelve Hours of Christmas (Little, Brown) by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Bea Jackson has received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Kirkus says: Filled with expressive faces and bright red and green hues against white backgrounds, the illustrations have an old-school feel; they beautifully capture the joy of a Christmas morning spent with relatives and the cozy fun of a winter day. Publishers Weekly says: Carrying the charm of old-school watercolor paintings and the cinematic appeal of film, Jackson’s light-dappled illustrations further contribute a seek-and-find element via the kitten hiding across the spreads. Publishers Weekly also featured the book in its 2023 Holiday Books for Kids and Teens guide. Congratulations Bea!
