We Laugh Alik
e (Charlesbridge) by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, and illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez was published on April 13, 2021. Kirkus Reviews calls this bilingual picture book A sweet demonstration of how friendship can transcend language barriers, and Booklist says Colorful illustrations showcase the similarities among the racially diverse kids, who easily find ways to connect that go beyond language. Congratulations Alyssa!
Get the book here
The first two books of the Mrs. Frogbottom’s Field Trips series (Aladdin), I Want My My Mummy, and Long Time No Sea Monster, written by Nancy Krulik and illustrated by Harry Briggs were published April 13, 2021. The series is described as The Magic School Bus meets The Magic Tree House and is about a teacher who uses a magical map to take her class all over the world to face mythical creatures and learn about the places they call home.
Learn more about the series here
“Toasty”(Holiday House) is featured in a New 
York Time’s article titled “8 Picture Books about Imagination and Identity”. In the article, Jennifer Krauss commends author and illustrator Sarah Hwang for her “smart, subtle yet laugh out loud wit”, and calls her “a young author to watch”!
Meanwhile in a starred review, School Library Journal says that Toasty’s tale is as uplifting as the come!
Read the full New York Times article here
Read the School Library Journal review here
Pre-order Toasty here
Adweek reports that Johson & Johnson and Some Spiders Studio have teamed up to create a video titled “Mommy & Me and Daddy Too” to help parents navigate the conversation about racism in a way that is accessable to young audiences. The video features an arts and crafts break with Vanessa Brantley Newton.
See the article and video here
S
haruko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, Bedtime for Sweet Creatures, (Jabberwocky/Source Books) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon and Just Like Mama (Simon & Schuster) by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, have been named to the CCBC Choices best-of-the-year list. This list is created annually by the librarians of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. See the full list here
Get Sharuko here
Get Just Like Mama here
Get Bedtime for Sweet Creatures here.
Ki
rkus calls When My Cousins Come to Town (West Margin Press) by Angela Shante and illustrated by Keisha Morris “An adorable book about being true to yourself and the joys of family, especially cousins.” The book will be published May 4, 2021.
Read the full review here
Pre-order the book here
Vanessa Brantley Newton has a new series of greeting cards with Leanin’ Tree! Spread smiles and joy by sharing Vanessa’s bright, cheerful artwork. You can find the current releases online here.
In a review of Toasty (Holiday House) by Sarah Hwang, Publishers Weekly says “Newcomer Hwang’s quirky plot has the meandering joy of a small child’s storytelling logic, while acrylic paint, colored-pencil, and digital pictures give the triumphant Toasty a sketchbook immediacy as he engages in doggy doings.”
Read the full review here
Pre-order the book here
Joanie Stone, illustrator of Secrets of the Sea (Clarion) is interviewed on Jena Benton’s blog, along with the book’s author Evan Griffith.
Read the interview here
Get the book here
The Sydn
ey Taylor Schmooze blog says of Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh’s book “Matzah Craze” (Kar-Ben)
“It’s nice to see a Jewish picture book that depicts reality for Jewish children who attend public school, rather than Jewish day schools. All of the information about the holiday and the illustrations reflect the actual rules and story from the Torah.”
The Sydney Taylor Shmooze is a project of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL).
Read the full review here
Get the book here