Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, visited Assumption Elementary School in Ottawa, Canada. Known for her championship of literacy, the Duchess marked the visit with a reading of The Library Bus, (Pajama Press) written by Bahram Rahman and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. This picture book celebrates women and girls finding innovative ways to spread education in Afghanistan, where the author was born. The book was a finalist for the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award and won the Middle East Book Award, among other honors.

The visit to Assumption Elementary School was part of a three-day Canadian tour being undertaken by Prince Charles and the Duchess to mark the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s 70^th year on the throne.

Read more about the visit here

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Bottle Tops: The Art of El Anatsui (Lee & Low)by Alison Goldberg, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, has received a starred review from Booklist.

“This striking book, vividly illustrated in paint and cut-paper collage, showcases Anatsui’s signature works: flowing tapestries made from deconstructed bottle tops. Goldberg describes the artist’s early life and artistry and then focuses on how he executes his famous fabrics, which have been exhibited in museums worldwide. As well as learning about Anatsui’s art, readers can gain here some important insights into the creative life—Goldberg emphasizes that Anatsui doesn’t work alone; a team gets the bottle tops into their new forms.”

The book will be released May 28, 2022

Pre-order it here

Federico and the Wolf (HarperCollins) by Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri  has been nominated for the 2023 Star of the North Award, in conjunction with the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards.

The Star of the North Picture Book Award was established in 2013 under the auspices of the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards. The purpose of the award is to promote quality, engaging picture books and reading for pleasure among school-aged children. The final list of ten nominees is selected by the Star of the North Selection Committee.

Throughout the year, teachers, media specialists, and public librarians are encouraged to present the nominees in appealing and meaningful ways, to read the books aloud, and to develop activities that will connect the literature to the curriculum. In March, students across the state vote on which books they think should win for the individual categories. The book receiving the most votes from children in grades K-2 is the winner.

Congratulations Elisa!

Get the book here

Bloom (Little Simon) by Ruth Forman, illustrated by Talia Skyles, and Queen of Kindergarten (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton are on Amazon Editor’s list of the best books of May!

See Bloom and the complete list of books for under 2 here

See Queen of Kindergarten and the complete list of books for 3-5 here

Arithmechicks Take a Calculation Vacation (Astra) by Ann Marie Stephens, illustrated by Jia Liu, Queen of Kindergarten (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton  and Uncle John’s City Garden (Holiday House)  by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison have been included on the CBCBook’s May 2022 Hot Off the Press reading list

See the complete list here

Get Arithmechicks take a Calculation Vacation here

Get Queen of Kindergarten here

Get Uncle John’s City Garden here

Author-illustrator Sarah Dillard was interviewed on the Vermont Viewpoint radio show to discuss her latest book, Blueberry Cake, being nominated for the international Gourmand Award, the inspiration behind her beloved series Mouse Scouts, and more! Listen here (starting around the 23:45 minute mark).

Frank Morrison recently talked about his new picture book Kick Push (Bloomsbury) in the NPR show Here and Now. In the interview, Frank talks about  skateboarding with his children, and how those experiences inspired the book.

Here the interview here

Get the book here

The Joffrey Ballet announced today the world premiere of Rita Finds Home, a family-friendly program and collaborative project between the Joffrey and Miami City Ballet, which will make its debut at the Navy Pier Lake Stage, July 9-10, 2022.

Rita Finds Home is conceived by a nationally recognized creative team including choreographer Amy Hall Garner, Chicago-based author and Free Street Theater Executive Director Karla Estela Rivera; and award-winning children’s book illustrator Elisa Chavarri. Using personal experience as inspiration for their process, the team has created a story that is emotive, relatable, touching, and powerful. Written with young audiences in mind, but suitable for all ages, the piece will convey universal themes about community, belonging, and resilience.

Read the full announcement here

Queen of Kindergarten (Penguin Random House) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, doesn’t come out until May 24, but the reviews are already rolling in.

Booklist says: Brantley-Newton brings the fun of King of Kindergarten (2019) back in this companion book’s vibrant illustrations and racially diverse characters. MJ’s kindness and self-assuredness set a wonderful example for readers,who may also be preparing to expand their worlds, whether attending school or participating in anew group activity. A great choice for combating first-day jitters and building confidence.

And the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books says: this story exudes joy, celebrating the kid who walks into the room and owns it with sunny confidence and genuine warmth. The art is rich with textures, creating an effusive sense of movement as geometric patterns in various objects and clothing contrast with dappled splotches and soft blending in the background. There’s not a dull color in this palette of vivid tones, and dynamic figures convey the cheerful busyness of the classroom.

Pre order your copy here!

Congratulations to our artists who have been recognized by Bank Street Books as being among the best books of the year. Included on the list are Like a Dandelion (HarperCollins) by Huy Voun Lee, Off to See the Sea (Sourcebooks) by Niki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, Paletero Man (HarperCollins) by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player, Coqui in the City (Dial) by Nomar Perez, When My Cousins Come to Town (West Margin Press), by Angela Shante, illustrated by Keisha Morris, There Goes Patti McGee! (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), by Tootie Nienow, illustrated by Erika Medina, King of Ragtime (Simon & Schuster), by Stephen Costanza, Secrets of the Sea (Clarion) by Evan Griffith, illustrated by Joanie Stone and Stitch by Stitch (Holiday House) by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Congratulations everyone!

See the full list here