The Chicago Public Library (CPL) has unveiled its Best Books of 2014 list, which includes titles by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, London Ladd, Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison.

Amongst its Best Picture Books of 2014 list, CPL included The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Under the Freedom Tree, illustrated by London Ladd, also made the list, as did I Got the Rhythm, which was written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison.

Frank Morrison’s illustration work also featured in CPL’s Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2014, with Little Melba and Her Big Trombone.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison, has appeared on another best of 2014 list, this time on School Library Journal’s best nonfiction books of the year. This gorgeous title has also appeared on several other best-of lists, including Kirkus’ best books celebrating diversity.

Sunday Shopping, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection. The book will be among their 2015 offerings.

Sunday Shopping comes out on May 15, 2015.

The All Over Albany blog interviewed Elizabeth Zunon in a holiday-themed post about giving (and receiving) gifts. Elizabeth revealed what she’d like to receive, what she’d like to give, and which charity she’d like to support – “Sweethearts for a Cause”, a charity dedicated to assisting orphanages in West Africa’s Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), which was started by Elizabeth herself alongside her mother and a family friend.

Elizabeth’s upcoming book, One Plastic Bag, will be out in February 2015.

The Curious City blog picked three Painted Words artists for its best children’s books of 2014 line-up. The three titles are Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day by Sarah Dillard, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Frank Morrison, and What Ship is Not a Ship? by Josee Masse.

Sarah Dillard’s Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day  was deemed the “best excuse to don a cape.”

Frank Morrison’s Little Melba and Her Big Trombone was dubbed “best girl tooting her own horn.”

Josee Masse’s What Ship is Not a Ship? was praised for its “best use of word play.”

Publishers Weekly gave a fine review to My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Publishers Weekly called the book a “frank, encouraging story”, and described Brantley-Newton’s illustrations as “exud[ing] warmth and empathy as they build to a triumphant conclusion.”

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, illustrated by Frank Morrison, appeared in Kirkus’ list of best books celebrating diversity 2014. Kirkus previously awarded Little Melba with a starred review, calling Morrison’s illustrations “perfect match for Melba’s story.”

The Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast blog featured Elizabeth Zunon, detailing her unique collage and multimedia illustrations. The feature was used to focus on Elizabeth Zunon’s artwork in the upcoming book One Plastic Bag, calling it “very textured and colorful, capturing well the transformation at the hands of Isatou.”

One Plastic Bag, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, will be available February 2015.

The Quill & Quire gave a fantastic review to The Fabulous World of Mr. Fred, written by Lili Chartrand and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, calling it “an imaginative, multi-layered fable about overcoming obstacles and taking chances.”

Regarding the illustrations, the Quill & Quire said: “Gabrielle Grimard’s watercolour, gouache, and oil-paint illustrations more than make up for any awkwardness in translation. The art flows gracefully across the page. Warm and touching, it perfectly complements the story’s spirit.”

Buy The Fabulous World of Mr. Fred at Amazon or Barnes & Noble today.

More praise for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone came from The Horn Book this week, with a fantastic review that details precisely why this gorgeous book contains an important story.

Little Melba appears as one of The Horn Book’s ‘recommended books’, praising illustrator Frank Morrison‘s stunning artwork: “Morrison’s oil paintings, in his trademark elongated, angular style, perfectly convey the jazz scene and, of course, Melba’s amazing horn.”

The Horn Book joins a list of other publications in its praise of the book. Little Melba and Her Big Trombone received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal.