Betsy Snyder’s Woodland Baby wall decals are now available from RoomMates. Turn any child’s room into a cozy sanctuary with these adorable animal characters and nature-inspired details. Decals can be purchased here and here. To view the rest of the Woodland Baby collection, visit Betsy’s portfolio.
Sunday Shopping, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, received a terrific review in The Horn Book Magazine.
“Strickland’s bright, breezy acrylic, watercolor, wax pencil, and digital collage-style illustrations blend realistic portraiture with creative flights of fancy to evoke this weekly ritual, making manifest Evie and Grandma’s vivid storytelling in ways that will speak to young readers’ imaginations,” wrote The Horn Book.
The Horn Book Magazine has selected Poems in the Attic to appear in the May/June issue, accompanied by an enthusiastic review.
“Each page turn is like opening that old box in the attic—you never know what is coming next,” said The Horn Book.
Elizabeth Zunon’s illustrations of the book were also lauded, and The Horn Book wrote, “Pink-toned acrylic and oil illustrations are enhanced by cut-paper and fabric collage, allowing readers to imagine seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska, go hiking in Germany, or smell the cherry blossoms in Japan.”
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) has honored What Ship is Not a Ship?, illustrated by Josée Masse, on its Spring 2015 list of Best Books for Kids & Teens.
The Best Books for Kids & Teens list is a semi-annual selection of the best Canadian children’s books, magazines, audio and video.
More information on the CBCC and its awards here.
The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) released its CCBC Choices list, which included Lend a Hand (by John Frank, illus. London Ladd), Little Melba and her Big Trombone (by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illus. Frank Morrison), Flora and the Penguin (by Molly Idle), The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen (by Thelma Lynne Godin, illus Vanessa Brantley Newton), and The Most Magnificent Thing (by Ashley Spires).
CCBC Choices is an annual list of children’s books that are considered the “best-of-the-year” for various categories including “Understanding Oneself and Others” and “Historical People, Places and Events.”
The complete list of books can be found here.
In a recent review of Poems in the Attic, the School Library Journal praised the collection of poems illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon as “sweet and accessible but never simplistic.”
“Rendered in acrylic, oil, and collage, Zunon’s warm, vibrant illustrations complement the text perfectly,” wrote the School Library Journal.
The Bank Street College of Education releases an annual list of the best children’s books, and this year we are proud to announce the inclusion of several of our illustrators’ and authors’ books. Included on the list are The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle, I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison, and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison.
According to Bank Street’s website, “In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotype.”
Congratulations Frank, Connie, Molly, and Ashley on this fantastic honor!
To view the complete list, click here.
October 12, 2018
Canadian animation studio Nelvena’s short film adaptation of Ashley Spires‘ picture book The Most Magnificent Thing is currently wrapping production, and the voice cast has officially been announced! At the helm is Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg, in the role of “narrator”. Additionally Alison Pill (The Newsroom) will play the “Mom” character, Lilly Bartlam (The Handmaid’s Tale) is “the determined girl,” and Tony Daniels (Atomic Puppet) takes on the role of her canine best friend. The CGI-film is set to debut at various film festivals in early 2019, and will then appear on Corus Entertainment’s kids networks in Canada.
February 20, 2017
Canadian animation company Nelvana has announced that, in association with Kids Can Press, they will begun producing an animated short based on Ashley Spires‘s bestselling picture book The Most Magnificent Thing. The short is currently in pre-production.
The Most Magnificent Thing tells of a young girl’s trial and error attempts to create the most magnificent thing ever, and has been praised for its portrayal of the creative process and its message of perseverance and hard work. Ashley is excited by the short, saying, “There can never be enough opportunities to present young female characters as empowered, inventive problem-solvers to inspire children…I can’t wait to see the final product.”
Keep an eye out for this exciting new short! You can find out more information about the film here.
April 20, 2015
We were delighted to find that books illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, Vanessa Brantley Newton, and Ashley Spires were included in Booklist’s article, “Classroom Connections: Maker Minds.” The books featured help inspire “hands-on creativity” for kids. It’s no surprise that The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Magic Trash, and The Most Magnificent Thing made the list. Get inspired by these wonderful stories and start a DIY project of your own!
March 26, 2015
The Bank Street College of Education releases an annual list of the best children’s books, and this year we are proud to announce the inclusion of several of our illustrators’ and authors’ books. Included on the list are The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle, I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison, and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison.
According to Bank Street’s website, “In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotype.”
Congratulations Frank, Connie, Molly, and Ashley on this fantastic honor!
To view the complete list, click here.
March 19, 2015
Painted Words authors and illustrators Molly Idle, Elise Gravel, Vanessa Brantley Newton, and Ashley Spires had books selected for the 2015 WSRA (Wisconsin State Reading Association) Picture This! List. For this award, the committee evaluates books based on the quality of literature, the appeal for students, and the value for classroom use. The books selected from our talented artists include Flora and the Penguin, The Fly, The Worm, The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, and The Most Magnificent Thing. Congrats, ladies!
To view the full list, click here.
December 30, 2014
The New York Public Library’s end-of-year list, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, includes The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell, and Frank Morrison‘s illustrated reader Ballerina Dreams. Also selected was The Most Magnificent Thing, a picture book by Painted Words’ newest author-illustrator, Ashley Spires. Congrats K.G., Frank, and Ashley on this great honor!
November 16, 2015
The First Book Blog chose Sunday Shopping, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, for one of its Five Favorite Books of October. The First Book Blog chose Sunday Shopping as the best pick of the month for ages eight to ten. They write, “This sweet story about a Sunday tradition between a loving grandmother and her granddaughter is also a great opportunity for imaginative play!” Congratulations, Sally and Shadra!
You can see the full list here and buy your own copy of Sunday Shopping here.
August 24, 2015
Sunday Shopping has received further praise from the Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books. Praising Shadra’s illustrations, the BCCB writes:
“Strickland’s mixed-media art effectively differentiates real from pretend: reality offers cozily domestic views in a softly edged circle…Pretend, on the other hand, stretches out across the pages in full-bleed with electric scenes of plenty, with a cornucopia of layered collage elements freely playing with scale in cheerfully surreal and energetic scenes. ”
Check out the review here.
August 7, 2015
Sunday Shopping is out now from Lee & Low Books! Of Shadra’s gorgeous illustrations, School Library Journal writes, “Strickland’s illustrations are a vibrant mix of watercolor, acrylic, and wax pencil, digitally interspersed with fanciful, oversize images of whimsy and delight.” Kirkus says: “Both old-fashioned and fresh-feeling, this book is thoroughly worthy of a shopping trip.”
April 9, 2015
Sunday Shopping, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, received a terrific review in The Horn Book Magazine.
“Strickland’s bright, breezy acrylic, watercolor, wax pencil, and digital collage-style illustrations blend realistic portraiture with creative flights of fancy to evoke this weekly ritual, making manifest Evie and Grandma’s vivid storytelling in ways that will speak to young readers’ imaginations,” wrote The Horn Book.
December 10, 2015
Sunday Shopping, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection. The book will be among their 2015 offerings.
Sunday Shopping comes out on May 15, 2015.
Alice From Dallas by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Ard Hoyt, has been selected as a Finalist in the Western Writers of America 2015 Spur Awards in the Best Western Storyteller – Illustrated Children’s book category. Alice from Dallas is the best cowgirl at school, until new student, Lexis from Texas, shows up and gives Alice a run for her money. What School Library Journal calls “a rollicking fun read-aloud” would be at home on any cowgirl’s bookshelf.
See the rest of the finalists and winners here.