Standing in the Need of a Prayer (Crown) by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison, a stunning and deeply moving picture book based on the popular spiritual, has received 4 starred reviews so far!

★ “An evocative use of prayer as old-school protest with a history lesson that is as lilting as a ballad”—School Library Journal, starred review

★”Gorgeous and enlightening.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “A richly illustrated, informative picture book that will leave readers humming and spark a desire to learn more.” —The Horn Book, starred review

★ “Truly elegant.”—Booklist, starred review

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Mary Had a Little Plan (Union Square & Co.) by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton is an Amazon Pick of the Month in books for ages 3 to 5.

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Black Gold (HarperCollins) by Laura Obuobi, illustrated by London Ladd, has received another glowing review- this time from BookList. The review calls the book “wondrously illustrated” and says “The illustrations can only be described as magical, blending elements of fantasy with nature and star scapes. Ladd creates unique layered effects through his combination of acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper, and the deep purples and blues sparkle with flecks of gold-shining light.” Congratulations, London!

The book is on sale October 11. Pre-order here.

Night on the Sand (HarperCollins) by Monica Mayper, illustrated by Jaime Kim has received a starred review from Kirkus. The review calls the book “Powerfully compelling” and says “the artwork delineates moods and emotions via a precise, rich palette that favors visceral landscapes and nondescript characters to its advantage.”

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In a review of Bright Winter Night (Two Lions) by Alli Brydon, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay, School Library Journal says “This winter tale would work well for dusky afternoon story hours in December or a bedtime story; the muted illustrations and the text, which has a perfect scan and beat, begin energetically but slow to soothing, steady levels as the animals settle down to sleep.”

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Murray Christmas (Abrams) by E.G. Keller has earned another starred review, this time from School Library Journal.

The review says “”Keller reinvents the goodwill chaos of Christmas, with its decorations, traditions, and beliefs, through Murray, a canine who does not understand why his humans are changing his world with this joyous upheaval. Murray’s sole job as “Patrol Dog” is to love his humans and home, and he is determined not to let anything stand in his way.”

It goes on to say the book  is “a perfect Christmas read-aloud; children will want to take this book—and ­Murray—home.”

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Kirkus has given a starred review for Black Gold (HarperCollins) by Laura Obuobi, illustrated by London Ladd.

The review says “Ladd’s acrylic paint and collage artwork is richly textured, layered with color and shadow for an intense visual treat full of movement and depth.”

It also calls the book “A stunning work of art.”

Congratulations London!

The book will be on sale October 11. Pre-order it here

Kirkus has praise for Murray Christmas (Abrams) by E.G. Keller, calling it “a delightful Christmas tale that shows a dog’s perspective on the holiday and all its trappings.”

The book will be published September 27, 2022.

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Publishers Weekly has a great review for Stop and Smell the Cookies (Putnam) by Gibson Frazier, illustrated by Micah Player. The review says “Player’s bright digital drawings depict Dash’s highs and lows with a verve that elevates Frazier’s well-intentioned storytelling.”

Read the full review here

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