Dinosaurs on Kitten Island (Dial) by Michael Slack has been included in BookTrust’s Great Books Guide for 2022 for 4 to 5 year olds. BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. Each year they reach millions of children across the UK with books, resources and support to help develop a love of reading.

See the full list here

Get the book here

Our Beautiful Colors (Golden Books) by Nikki Shannon Smith, illustrated by Bea Jackson, is an Amazon Editors pick of the month for ages 3-5. The book will be released December 6, 2022.

Pre order the book here

See the complete list of December picks here

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 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

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!

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

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

Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown and When the Schools Shut Down (Harper) by Yolanda Gladden as told to Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Keisha Morris are finalists for the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, given by the Jane Addams Peace Association. The Awards will be announced at a virtual ceremony in the late spring of 2023.

Congratulations Keisha and Keith!

Learn more about the award here

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