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

When The Schools Shut Down illustrated by Keisha Morris gets a star from Publishers’ Weekly

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

When The Schools Shut Down: A Young Girl’s Story of Virginia’s “Lost Generation” and the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Decision (HarperCollins) by Yolanda Gladden, as told to Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Keisha Morris as earned a star from Publishers’ Weekly.

The review says “Collaged tissue paper and digital media art by Morris offers a lushly layered backdrop to the events, emphasizing the expressions and closeness of the Black community portrayed in this informative, warmly personable autobiography. ”

The book will be published in January 2022.

Pre order the book here

See the full review here

Dinosaurs on Kitty Island by Michael Slack coming December 14!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Dinosaurs on Kitty Island (Dial Books) by Michael Slack will be published on December 14, 2021.

School Library Journal says “Young children will enjoy the mishaps and high jinks and perhaps take into consideration the feelings of others when playing. Children will enjoy interpreting the illustrations and bring their own takes to what is unfolding . . . Charming illustrations partner well with a simple story of playtime.”

Pre order your copy here!

Not Enough Lollipops, illustrated by Micah Player, gets a star from Kirkus!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Not Enough Lollipops (Knopf) by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Micah Player has earned a starred review from Kirkus. The review says “Player’s retro-styled illustrations tie the hues of the lollipops to the children’s colorful attire but never go overboard; there’s plenty of drama around the crushing candy saga without overplaying the visuals.

Not Enough Lollipops will be published in January 2022.

Read the full review here

Pre order the book here

In a starred review, Kirkus calls Stitch by Stitch by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon Dazzling!

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

A starred review from Kirkus calls Stitch by Stitch (Holiday House)  by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon  “a poignant tribute to the remarkable life and craft of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hobbs Keckly, a formerly enslaved woman who broke the color line in haute couture.”

The review goes on to say “Zunon’s breathtaking and masterful mixed-media illustrations—incorporating oil, paint, fabric, ribbon, paper, embroidery, and appliqué—beautifully capture the artistry of Keckly’s dresses.”

Get Stitch by Stitch here

Read the full Kirkus review here

Kirkus reviews We Play Soccer illustrated by Nomar Perez

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Kirkus calls We Play Soccer (Holiday House) by Rene Colato Lainez, illustrated by Nomar Perez “A bright, sweet story about friendship, teamwork, and the joy of soccer.”

The review also says “The illustrations are vibrant, and characters are depicted having various shades of light brown skin. Backmatter helpfully provides direct translations of words that appear in the story.”

We Play Soccer will be published in January 2022. Pre order a copy here

Read the full Kirkus review here

Stephen Costanza’s King of Ragtime featured on HornBook’s Calling Caldecott blog

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

In a post on HornBook’s Calling Caldecott blog, Scot Smith makes a strong case for King of Ragtime (Simon & Schuster) by Stephen Costanza. Smith commends the illustrations in the book for capturing the essence of music, and says “Costanza’s illustrations depict composer Joplin’s use of syncopation through complex collage work, thoughtful use of vibrant colors, and a mixture of artistic styles. We can almost hear “Maple Leaf Rag” as we turn the pages of this wonderful biography.”

Our fingers are crossed, Steve!

Read the full blog post here

Get King of Ragtime here

Work by Sarah Dillard included in exhibit of Vermont Picture Book Illustrators at TW Woods Gallery, Montpelier Vermont

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Illustrations by Sarah Dillard from several of her picture books will be on view in “The Art of Stories: A Vermont Picture Book Exhibit” at the TW Wood Gallery in Montpelier, Vermont from November 7 through December 22, 2021.

Learn more about the exhibit here

Number 7 Evergreen Streetby Julia Patton wins Students’ and Teachers’ Choice from the Royal Institute of British Architects

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Students and Teachers of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architecture) Learning have chosen Number 7 Evergreen Street (Templar Books) by Julia Patton as their favorite book as part of the Reading Architecture Project.

Reviews loved the idea of neighborhoods and communal spaces that the book introduced, as well as the beautiful illustrations and relatable characters.

Congratulations Julia!

Get the book here

Stephen Costanza will discuss King of Ragtime at a virtual event sponsored by Books of Wonder

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Stephen Costanza will be discussing King of Ragtime (Simon & Schuster) at a virtual event sponsored by Books of Wonder titled Great Picture Book Biographies. The event takes place on Saturday, November 6 at 3:00.

Learn more about the event here

Get a signed copy of King of Ragtime here

Parker Shines On illustrated by Brittany Jackson, featured on Good Morning America

by Claire Easton in Represents Comments: 0

Parker Shines On: Another Extraordinary Moment (Aladdin) by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson, was featured recently on Good Morning America.

The book is a companion to the New York Times best selling Parker Looks Up. It is an uplifting story about Parker making a new friend and learning about self-expression, opening your heart, and helping others.

Parker Shines On will be published November 2, 2021.

See the GMA segment here

Get the book here