Becoming Vanessa (Knopf BYFR) by Vanessa Brantley-Newton has been selected by the American Booksellers Association for the May/June 2021 Kid’s Indie Next List.

For readers of Alma and How She Got Her Name and The King of Kindergarten, this story will help kids just starting school transform from timid caterpillars into beautiful butterflies so they can love who they are. Becoming Vanessa will be released June 15, 2021.

Congratulations Vanessa!

See the full list here

Pre-order the book here

London Ladd’s mixed media piece Celestial Africanism has been selected by a nationally representative jury of distinguished designers, art directors and illustrators to appear in the Communication Arts 2021 Illustration Annual.

Congratulations London!

A review of There Goes Patti McGee (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) by Tootie Nienow and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina appears in the web-only reviews in the March/April Book Bundles from Horn Book.

Reviewer Kitty Flynn says: The upbeat text emphasizes McGee’s devotion and dedication: “It wasn’t easy. Her arms ached and her knuckles bled.” The illustrations in sun-bleached colors emphasize the athleticism and artistry of the sport.

Get the book here

More love for SHARUKO (Lee & Low), by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. The book was selected for the 2021 Notable Books for a Global Society by the International Literacy Association (ILA).

The International Literacy Association selects 25 outstanding trade books for enhancing student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world. The committee reviews books representing all genres intended for students K-12.

You can see the full list here

Get SHARUKO here

Paletero Man (Harper Collins) by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player has earned a starred review from School Library Journal. The review says “Filled with life and joy, this story is an upbeat, multi-sensory experience that honors the breadth and harmony of multiculturalism in Diaz’s LA hometown. ”

Paletero Man will be on sale June 1, 2021. Pre order your copy here

Read the full School Library Journal review here

Born Ready (Penguin Random House) by Jodie Patterson, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow was published April 20, 2021.

Publishers Weekly says  the book is  “A heartening true story for children that offers guidance to caretakers”, and in a starred review, Kirkus says “This representation of a Black family and transgender child shines with joy and affirmation… A triumphant declaration of love and identity.”

Congratulations Charnelle!

Get the book here

Yahoo Entertainment and Delish have announced that Chef Carla Hall’s first picture book Carla and The Christmas Cornbread illustrated by Cherise Harris will be published by Simon & Schuster in November. In this heartwarming tale inspired by her childhood, superstar chef and TV host Carla Hall shares the story of young Carla, who eats a sugar cookie meant for Santa on the night before Christmas and tries to make things right.

Read the Yahoo Entertainment announcement here

Read the Delish Article here

Pre-order the book here

We Laugh Alike (Charlesbridge) by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, and illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez was published on April 13, 2021. Kirkus Reviews calls this bilingual picture book A sweet demonstration of how friendship can transcend language barriers, and Booklist says Colorful illustrations showcase the similarities among the racially diverse kids, who easily find ways to connect that go beyond language. Congratulations Alyssa!

Get the book here

The first two books of the Mrs. Frogbottom’s Field Trips series (Aladdin), I Want My My Mummy, and Long Time No Sea Monster, written by Nancy Krulik and illustrated by Harry Briggs were published April 13, 2021. The series is described as The Magic School Bus meets The Magic Tree House and is about a teacher who uses a magical map to take her class all over the world to face mythical creatures and learn about the places they call home.

Learn more about the series here

“Toasty”(Holiday House) is featured in a New York Time’s article titled “8 Picture Books about Imagination and Identity”.  In the article, Jennifer Krauss commends author and illustrator Sarah Hwang for her “smart, subtle yet laugh out loud wit”, and calls her “a young author to watch”!

Meanwhile in a starred review, School Library Journal says that Toasty’s tale is as uplifting as the come!

Read the full New York Times article here

Read the School Library Journal review here

Pre-order Toasty here