School Libary Journal has given Coqui in the City (Dial) by Nomar Perez a rave review. See the full review below!

PreS-Gr 2–Miguel loves listening to his abuelito’s stories, sharing meals with his family, and playing baseball with his friends and pet frog, Coquí. When Miguel and his parents have to move to the U.S. mainland, he has to leave so much that he loves in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Once in New York City, he is uncertain and misses his home, Miguel agrees to go out to explore their new neighborhood with Mamá. As they find familiar things they love—empanadillas, a baseball field, and even a pond full of frogs like Coquí—New York City begins to feel much more like home. Vibrant, colorful illustrations depict the life and beauty of Puerto Rico and the rich diversity that can be found in Miguel’s new neighborhood. The text is available in English and Spanish editions and conveys the excitement, sadness, and new possibilities that Miguel experiences. This is a wonderful book with a comforting message, perfect for sharing with young readers who are experiencing big changes. Miguel is light-skinned. VERDICT A strong choice for all collections.–Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston

Get the book here

Sharuko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri has made The Today Show’s list of 23 beautiful kids’ books to celebrate and honor Hispanic Heritage. The list was created by panelists Meg Medina, the Newbery award-winning author of “Merci Suárez Can’t Dance”; Caldecott honoree Yuyi Morales, author of “Bright Star”; #DignidadLiteraria co-founder David Bowles, author of “My Two Border Towns”; and Pura Belpré Award-winning poet Margarita Engle, author of “A Song of Frutas.

See the full list here

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Shelf Awareness calls Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook) by Alyssa Bermudez  “a playfully illustrated graphic memoir that takes the form of journal entries by Bermudez’s instantly empathetic middle-school self as she navigates tweenhood and the tragedy of 9/11.”

The review goes on to say  “Big Apple Diaries is a beautiful snapshot of preteen life.”

Read the full review here

Get the book here

In an interview on CBS This Morning, Cynthia Erivo discussed her new album, and her new children’s book Remember to Dream, Ebere (Little Brown), illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.

The book will be on sale September 28.

See the full interview here

Get the book here

In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, The Los Angeles Library will be hosting a panel discussion with  award-winning illustrators and authors Isol, Rafael Lopez and Elisa Chavarri. They will show us how to draw one of their characters and talk about their illustrations and the stories behind them.

This L.A. Libros Fest event will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

Learn more here

In a BBC spot about the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks,  Alyssa Bermudez, author and illustrator of  Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook Press) reflects on her personal memories of September 11 and discusses writing and illustrating her graphic novel memoir.

See the interview here

Get the book here

Michael Slack has three new drawings in a group show called, ARTDORKS: Socially Distanced (As Usual) at The ToyRoom Gallery in Sacramento.

There will be opening receptions 9/17/21 and 9/18/20 7-11pm. The show will run through 11/13/21.

Bank Street College of Education has just released their Best Children’s Books of the Year list for 2021.

The under 5 category includes:

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures  (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Federico and the Wolf  (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) by Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Friday Night Wrestlefest (Roaring Brook) by J. F. Fox, illustrated by Micah Player

Welcome to Your World (Candlewick) by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Jaime Kim

5-9

Just Like Me (Knopf BFYR) by Vanessa Brantley Newton

9-12

Above the Rim (Abrams) by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Sharuko (Lee & Low) by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Congratulations Everyone!

You can see the full list here

Several Painted Words artists are represented in the Kid’s Book Choice Awards nominations! Initial voting is open for the Children’s Book Council’s 2021 Kids Book Choice Awards! Kids ages 3-18 can vote for the nominated Painted Words titles below in their respective categories here.

This round of voting, concluding on September 8^th, will determine finalists for each category,with the ultimate round of voting occurring from late-September to November 14^th.

Best Picture Book Duo

Respect (Simon & Schuster) by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison

I Got the School Spirit (Bloomsbury) by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Favorite Early Reader Series

Arlo & Pips (HarperCollins) by Elise Gravel

Favorite Picture Book Page

Above the Rim (Abrams) illustrated by Frank Morrison

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

For Beautiful Black Boys (Flyaway Books) by Michael W. Waters, illustrated by Keisha Morris

Just Like Me (Penguin Random House) by Vanessa Brantley Newton

Favorite Characters

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

For Beautiful Black Boys (Flyaway Books) by Michael W. Waters, illustrated by Keisha Morris

I Got the School Spirit (Bloomsbury) by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison