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

A Glowing review from Kirkus for My Red, White, and Blue illustrated by London Ladd

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Kirkus has given My Red, White, and Blue (Philomel) by Alana Tyson, illustrated by London Ladd, a glowing review and says “Ladd’s bold, painterly illustrations, crafted with acrylics, textured cut paper, tissue paper, and colored pencil, illuminate and expand the ideas in the text.”

My Red, White, and Blue will be published January 17, 2023.

Pre order the book here

See the full review here

A star from Publishers Weekly for Jump In by Shadra Strickland!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

A starred review for Shadra Strickland’s Jump In (Bloomsbury) calls the book “Vibrantly rendered and warmly welcoming” and goes on to say

“It’s a celebration of intergenerational community and play whose turns spotlight the strengths of both individuals and an inclusive, supportive, tight-knit community.”

Jump In will be published January 31, 2023.

Pre order it here

Read the full review here

5 Painted Words Artists included on Kirkus’s Best Picture Books of the Year!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Kirkus’s Best Picture Books of the Year include 5 books illustrated by Painted Words artists! They are:

Playtime for Restless Rascals (Sourcebooks) by Nikki Grimes,  illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Black Gold,(HarperCollins) by Laura Obuobi, illustrated by London Ladd

Standing in the Need of Prayer (Crown) by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown

Everything in its Place (Doubleday) by Pauline David-Sax, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

See the complete list here

Congratulations to Liz, London, Frank, Keith and Charnelle!

Painted Words Artists make the Chicago Public Library Best of the Bests List!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

The Chicago Public Library has released its Best Books of the Year list and several Painted Words Artists are on it! Included in the picture book category are Kick Push (Bloomsbury) by Frank Morrison and Queen of Kindergarten (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton.

Pink, Blue and You! (Anne Schwartz Books) by Elise Gravel and Mykaell Blais is on the list of best Informational Books for Younger Readers (K-3).

On the list of Informational Books for Older Readers (3-8) is Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown.

Congratulations Everyone!

See the full list here

 

Big Bear and Little Fish illustrated by Il Sung Na is a NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

The National Council of Teachers of English have named Big Bear and Little Fish (Lerner) by Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Il Sung Na a Charlotte Huck Award recommended book.

Learn more about the awards here

Get Big Bear and Little Fish here

When the Schools Shut Down illustrated by Keisha Morris, and Because of You, John Lewis illustrated by Keith Henry Brown are finalists for the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Prize

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Cathy Ann Johnson Wins CCAD 2022 Creative Entrepreneur Award!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Cathy Ann Johnson has won Columbus College of Art and Design’s 2022 Creative Entrepreneur Award. The committee said “Cathy Ann is a leader and role model for you designers, women in business and people of color. Her accomplishments are nothing short of inspirational.”

In addition, Cathy Ann’s paintings for the picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change (Orchard Books) by Brittney Cooper are on exhibit at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University through February 12, 2023.

Congratulations Cathy Ann!

See more about the CCAD Awards here

See more about the exhibition at the Zimmerli Art Museum here

Get the book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change here

Gene Barretta to talk about Starring Steven Spielberg at a Books of Wonder Virtual Event!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Gene Barretta, author of Starring Steven Spielberg (Christy Ottaviano Books) will be appearing on a panel about Picture Book Biographies at a virtual event with Books of Wonder on November 26, 2023.

Learn more about the event and register to attend here

A Star from Kirkus for Jump In! by Shadra Strickland!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Jump In! (Bloomsbury) by Shadra Strickland has received a starred review from Kirkus, which calls the book “A moving, grooving snapshot of urban life where kids create the fun and beckon everybody in.”

Congratulations Shadra!

Read the full review here

Jump In! comes out January 31, 2023. Pre order it here

Talia Skyles and Betsy Snyder included on Amazon’s Best Books of the Year List!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0