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
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 have both landed on Amazon’s Best Books of the Year list.
Ours (Little Simon) by Ruth Forman, illustrated by Talia Skyles is on the list for Best Books for ages 0-2.
Alphabedtime (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by Betsy Snyder is on the list of Best Books for ages 3-5.
Congratulations Talia and Betsy!
See the full list here
Publishers Weekly has named Murray Christmas (Abrams) by E.G. Keller one of the best Holiday Books for Kids and Teens.
In addition, E.G. Keller is the “Meet the Author” guest in the December issue of BookPage (see image)
Congratulations, E.G., it’s a Murray Christmas indeed!
Get the book here
See the full Publishers Weekly Holiday List here
Al Anatekh Kingdom (Alia Publishing House, Egypt), illustrated by Basma Hosam was awarded the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature at the Sharjah International Book Fair in Dubai. The book, about a king who loves to eat and travel, but discovers the best dish is a humble sandwich of watermelon and feta cheese won the Picture Book Category.
Congratulations Basma!
Learn more about the award here
Happy Book Birthday to The Cool Code (Harper Collins) by Deirdre Langeland, illustrated by Sarah Mai.
In this funny and heartfelt slice-of-life graphic novel for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller, when coding whiz Zoey goes from homeschooled to new school, she develops an app to help her make friends. Will the Cool Code help Zoey fit in? Or will it completely crash her social life?
Advance praise for The Cool Code:
“Mai’s bright, full-color art is reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s and should instantly appeal to her fans.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A humorous exploration of cracking the middle school social code for anyone craving more personified snarky llamas in their lives.” — School Library Journal
“Mai’s full-color artwork is inviting and cartoony, complete with noodle arms and exaggerated eyes, but the app avatar C.C., a pink llama, is simply adorable and certainly the star of the show. An easy and engaging pick for STEM-loving middle-graders.” — Booklist
Meet Sarah Mai in person at Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis on November 19 at 2:00!
Get the book here
TeMika Grooms has designed a billboard in Fairburn, Georgia to encourage voting with Harness and Imagine Justice. In addition, you can download the @artiviveapp to view the Augmented Reality design by Calvin Williams featuring his AR animation of her artwork. Just use the #artivive app to view the artwork through your phone and watch the art come to life!
GO VOTE!!
Happy Book Birthday to If I Were a Tiger (WaterBrook) by Caroline Coleman, illustrated by Nadya Bonten-Slenders. The book is a whimsical and playful rhyming picture book about a young boy who imagines himself as a tiger to overcome his fears—only to realize that he can trust in God.
Congratulations Nadya!
Get the book here
In a review for Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready (Philomel Books) by Raphael Warnock, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, Publishers Weekly says “Foregrounding portraiture and images of figures’ footwear, Grooms’s illustrations have the sweep of murals, portraying characters of varying abilities and skin tones, and communicating Warnock’s purpose-driven efforts.
The book is an autobiographical picture book by Georgia’s first Black Senator, and senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, once led by Martin Luther King Jr., and will be published on January 10, 2023.
See the full review here
Preorder the book here
Happy Book Birthday to Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker (Christy Ottaviano Books) by Gene Barretta, illustrated by Craig Orback.
“Scenes from a famous director’s childhood…. Panoramic, colorful, action-packed spreads give the book a cinematic feel…. Educational and entertaining.”—Kirkus Reviews