The Horn Book Fanfare, their list of the best books of 2025, includes When I Hear Spirituals, illustrated by London Ladd (Holiday House), and How Sweet the Sound, illustrated by Charly Palmer (Little Brown). Congrats to London and Charly! See the full list here.

Seasons by the Lake, illustrated by Alex Nees (Dial Books), received a nice review in Kirkus.  The review says, “Nees’ soft-hued landscapes showcase everything from the trickle of spring’s flowing water and flower-filled summer meadows to fall’s snow-covered hills and the dazzling glow of the northern lights; even the chilliest winter scenes are imbued with pure warmth…Soaring visuals and a cozy text pair for a wondrous romp through nature.” See the full review here.

Congrats Alex!

Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books 2025 includes Not Like Every Day, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (Random House), A Fairy Finds Her Song by Bea Jackson (Simon & Schuster), and Some of Us, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee (Christy Ottaviano Books).  See the full list here.

Congrats to Gabrielle, Bea, and Huy!

Some of Us, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee (Christy Ottaviano Books) and Pushing Hope, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown (Calkins Creek) were included on School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025 list. See the full list here.

Congrats to Huy and Keith!

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow‘s latest author-illustrated picture book, Two Artists, Grandad and Me (Doubleday Books), has received its third starred review! The book is inspired by her relationship to her grandfather, Jerry Pinkney. Congrats to Charnelle!

★ “Pinkney Barlow pays homage to her late grandfather, illustrator Jerry Pinkney in a heartwarming reflection about artmaking’s improvisational process . . . It’s a portrait of ‘two artists’ at work that takes young creators seriously.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

★ “This radiant, deeply personal picture book honors creativity, legacy, and love and shows how one generation’s generosity can not only inform but inspire imagination in another.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

★ “The soothing narrative evokes the beloved bond between grandfather and granddaughter, while descriptive language has a vividness that fully captures the girl’s discovery of her inner artist.” —The Bulletin, STARRED REVIEW

The New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids in 2025 includes Freedom Celebration: A Juneteenth Party, illustrated by Keisha Morris (Harper Collins), and How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America, illustrated by Charly Palmer (Little Brown). You can read the full list here.

Congrats to Keisha and Charly!

Kirkus Reviews’ Best Picture Books of the Year list includes 4 books illustrated by Painted Words artists:

Some of Us, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee (Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown)

When I Hear Spirituals, illustrated by London Ladd (Holiday House)

When Alexander Graced the Table, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster)

How Sweet the Sound, illustrated by Charly Palmer (Little Brown)

Congratulations to Huy, London, Frank and Charly!

Lady of the Lines, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri is a Booklist Editor’s Choice for 2025, and an Evanston (IL) Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids. Congratulations Elisa!