The Chicago Public Library has released its Best Books of the Year list and several Painted Words Artists are on it! Included in the picture book category are Kick Push (Bloomsbury) by Frank Morrison and Queen of Kindergarten (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton.

Pink, Blue and You! (Anne Schwartz Books) by Elise Gravel and Mykaell Blais is on the list of best Informational Books for Younger Readers (K-3).

On the list of Informational Books for Older Readers (3-8) is Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown.

Congratulations Everyone!

See the full list here

The National Council of Teachers of English have named Big Bear and Little Fish (Lerner) by Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Il Sung Na a Charlotte Huck Award recommended book.

Learn more about the awards here

Get Big Bear and Little Fish here

Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown and When the Schools Shut Down (Harper) by Yolanda Gladden as told to Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Keisha Morris are finalists for the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, given by the Jane Addams Peace Association. The Awards will be announced at a virtual ceremony in the late spring of 2023.

Congratulations Keisha and Keith!

Learn more about the award here

Cathy Ann Johnson has won Columbus College of Art and Design’s 2022 Creative Entrepreneur Award. The committee said “Cathy Ann is a leader and role model for you designers, women in business and people of color. Her accomplishments are nothing short of inspirational.”

In addition, Cathy Ann’s paintings for the picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change (Orchard Books) by Brittney Cooper are on exhibit at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University through February 12, 2023.

Congratulations Cathy Ann!

See more about the CCAD Awards here

See more about the exhibition at the Zimmerli Art Museum here

Get the book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change here

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