Off to the Sea (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon is featured in a New York Times article 8 Picture Books That Celebrate the Joys of Life.

The article says: “Bath time is full of magic!” a mother coos to her daughter as she switches on a “roaring waterfall.” Zunon, who grew up on the Ivory Coast and collaborated with Grimes on “Bedtime for Sweet Creatures,” infuses this daily ritual with tropical texture. The multihued seawater of her gorgeous endpapers — undulating waves collaged from what look like patterned fabrics, mottled stone and tile — contains both earth and sky.

Read the full article here

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Sarah Dillard’s latest picture book, BLUEBERRY CAKE, has received a glowing Starred Review from Kirkus, which calls it “a thoroughly delicious (and practically wordless) charmer.”  The reviewer writes, “Tapping into the enthusiasm of small children and infused with a laconic humor, this book is bound to prove a rollicking read-aloud for all that it has a minimal text that mostly consists of repetition of the critical words: blueberry cake and blueberries.”  BLUEBERRY CAKE will be published by Aladdin Books/Simon & Schuster on July 13th.

You can pre-order your copy here:

Barnes & Noble

Indie Bound

Bookshop

Art from Huy Voun Lee‘s new picture book Like a Dandelion (HarperCollins) is included in the Eric Carle Museum’s new exhibition Asians, Everyday. Lee is one of the 26 featured artists in the online exhibition. Curated by Grace Lin, Asians, Everyday, showcases positive Asian American stories and representation in contemporary picture books. 

Learn more about the exhibition here

Get Like a Dandelion here

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