A Diverse group of award-winning illustrators & authors creating across many industries.

Betsy Bird’s 31 Days, 31 Lists include several Painted Words books!

by Claire Easton in Represents, Uncategorized Comments: 0

We love counting down the end of the year with Betsy Bird’s 31 Days, 31 Lists. This year’s lists include a number of books by Painted Words authors and illustrators:

The Horn Book Fanfare (Best Books of 2025) Includes When I Hear Spirituals and How Sweet the Sound

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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.

Some of Us, illus. by Huy Voun Lee, is an NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Title

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee and written by Rajani LaRocca (Christy Ottaviano Books), was selected as an NCTE Children’s Book Awards Recommended title. The Orbis Pictus Award is the oldest children’s book award for nonfiction. Congratulations Huy!

Nice Review from Kirkus for Seasons by the Lake, illus. by Alex Nees!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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 books illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, Bea Jackson and Huy Voun Lee

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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!

School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year Include Some of Us and Pushing Hope

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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 Two Artists, Grandad and Me Receives its Third Starred Review

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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

NYPL Best Books for Kids 2025 Includes Freedom Celebration and How Sweet the Sound

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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’s Best of 2025 Includes 4 of our illustrators’ books!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

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!

The Lady of the Lines, illus. by Elisa Chavarri, is a Booklist Editor’s Choice for 2025!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0