Miles of Style, illustrated by Lynn Gaines, is a 2025 Black Kidlit Awards winner in the Best Biography category! Published by Lee & Low Books, and written by Lisa D. Brathwaite, Miles of Style tells the story of Eunice W. Johnson, founder of EBONY Magazine and the EBONY Fashion Fair.

Hosted by the Black Kidlit Collective, the Black Kidlit Awards celebrates books created by Black authors, illustrators, and publishers. Their goal is to increase the visibility of Black stories and drive the demand to create more diverse books filled with Black joy, history, family, and friendship.

Congratulations Lynn!

When Alexander Graced the Table, illustrated by Frank Morrison, has received Starred Review from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. The book is written by award–winning chef Alexander Smalls and Denene Millner, and published by Denene Millner Books. Publishers Weekly writes, “The texture of Morrison’s vibrant oil on illustration board art shapes a vibrant visual narrative of food preparation, enjoyment, and familial support.” Kirkus says, “The joy of cooking—and family—brought to brilliant life.”

Congratulations Frank!

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School Library Journal praised Elizabeth Zunon’s new author-illustrated book, Through Sand and Salt, writing in its review, “This beautifully written, vibrantly illustrated book would be a solid choice for sharing the culture and life experiences of desert ­dwellers, whether as windows or mirrors.”  Through Sand and Salt was published by Bloomsbury earlier this month. Congratulations Liz!

Read the full review here.

Bea Jackson‘s debut author-illustrated picture book, Lily’s Dream, made the Kids’ Indie Next List for January/February 2025.  Congratulations Bea!

Peaches, illustrated by Kim Holt and published by Abrams Books, has won a 2024 Northern Lights Book Award in the Food Category!  The Northern Lights Book Awards honor books that ” will leave a lasting impression, stories that will resonate with the reader not only now but in years to come,” according to their website. You can see all the winners here.

Peaches also earned recognition from the Endies Endpaper Award, a list published by School Library Journal, for “Tastiest” endpapers.

Congratulations Kim!

The 2025 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards, which honors books with intersectional protagonists, included books illustrated by two Painted Words’ artists: A Kurta to Remember, illustrated by Avani Dwivedi (Sleeping Bear Press) made the on Longlist, and A Voice of Hope: The Myrlie Evers-Williams Story, illustrated by London Ladd (Philomel), was included on the list of Commended Titles.  Congratulations Avani and London!

You can learn more about the Awards and the honorees here.

After ten weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography, has hit #1! Congratulations to the book’s illustrator, Elisa Chavarri!

My Hair is a Book, illustrated by London Ladd and written by Maisha Oso, has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work – Children. Congratulations London!

When I Hear Spirituals, illustrated by London Ladd and written by Cheryl Willis Hudson, has received its fifth starred review from School Library Journal, and was awarded a Gold Standard Selection from the Junior Library Guild. The School Library Journal review praises the book saying, “No matter the level of reader familiarity with spirituals, this title brims with lyricism and soul-lifting strength through its emotional illustrations and compelling text.”

Congratulations, London!

New York Public Libary’s 100 Best Books for Kids includes Adela’s Mariachi Band, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina (Charlesbridge), and My Hair is a Book, illustrated by London Ladd (Harper Collins). Congratulations Erika and London! See the full list here.