Several books by Painted Words illustrators were named National Council for the Social Studies, 2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Books:
Becoming a Ballerina, illustrated by Olivia Duchess (Harper Collins)
Giving Thanks with Halmoni: Celebrating Chuseok, The Korean Harvest Festival, illustrated by Il Sung Na (Red Comet Press)
Kente for Jojo, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (Random House)
Through Sand and Salt: A Tale of Discovery Across the Sahara, written and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (Bloomsbury)
A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change, illustrated by TeMika Grooms (Charlesbridge)
Lady of the Lines: How Maria Reiche Saved the Nazca Lines by Sweeping the Desert, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri (Astra BFYR)
Fight for the Right to Read: Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Sit-Down Strike for Library Reading Equality, illustrated by Kim Holt (Creston Books)
Congrats to Olivia, Il Sung, Elizabeth, TeMika, Elisa, and Kim!
See the full list of NCSS Notable Science Studies Trade Books here.