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Poems in the Attic, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

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Poems in the Attic, illus. by Liz Zunon, praised by The Dragon Lode

July 8, 2016

The spring 2016 edition of The Dragon Lode highlighted new poetry books, and one of the books they reviewed was Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Liz Zunon. The Dragon Lode praised, of course, the poems in the book, and the way they highlight connections between families, memories, and places, particularly for a family that moves frequently. They called Poems in the Attic, “A fine tribute to…how poetry can be a comfort and an outlet.”

Poems in the Attic, illus. by Liz Zunon, Included on Boston Public Schools’ Summer Reading List

July 1, 2016

Boston Public Schools released lists of recommended summer reading for the summer of 2016. Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Liz Zunon, was included on the reading list for grades 3-5. Poems in the Attic tells of a young girl’s connection to her family through generations of poems. Congrats, Liz and Nikki!

You can find the full list of recommended summer reading here under 2016 Summer Reading Lists. You can order Poems in the Attic online here.

Kirkus names Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, one of the Best Books of 2015

December 11, 2015

Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, made Kirkus’s list of Best Books of 2015 in the Middle School Books category! The beautiful story tells about a little girl’s connection with her family history through poetry and has already won several awards. The full list of winners for the middle school category can be found here, and Poems in the Attic can be purchased here.

Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, nominated for a Texas Bluebonnet Award

November 6, 2015

Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, was recently nominated to the 2015-2016 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. The Texas Bluebonnet Award is a program aimed at encouraging reading in grades three through six, and allows students to vote for their favorite book. It’s one of the most prestigious programs in the country, and has been running since the early 1980’s! The winner will be announced in February.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Zunon and Nikki Grimes! Poems in the Attic can be purchased here. Here’s the Master List for 2015 to 2016.

LA Times’ “30 Summer Books That Kids Will Gobble Up” List Features Poems in the Attic, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon

June 4, 2015

The LA Times includedPoems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, on its list “30 Summer Books that  Kids Will Gobble Up.” The book is due out June 10th. Check out the full list here for all your summer beach reading needs.

 

Poems in the Attic Praised by Publishers Weekly

May 27, 2015

Poems in the Attic received yet another wonderful review, this time from Publishers Weekly. They wrote, “Fully in step with Grimes’s empathic writing, Zunon’s (One Plastic Bag) warmly painted collages carry readers from the waterways of Virginia to a German castle atop a hill, highlighting the powerful emotional ties between the girl and her elders, as well as her mother’s adventurous spirit.”

The New York Times Reviews Poems in the Attic 

May 6, 2015

“Lives of the Poets,” a New York Times article on poetry in children’s book new releases, included a glowing review of Poems in the Attic (Lee & Low Books). Written by  Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, Poems in the Attic is about a young girl who discovers letters her mother wrote when she was a child, traveling the world as an “Air Force brat.” The reviewer applauds Elizabeth’s artwork, writing,  “[her] warm, bright illustrations provide a cheerful balance.”

Poems in the Attic will be available in stores everywhere on May 15, or you can pre-order a copy here.

Poems in the Attic reviewed in The Horn Book

April 9, 2015

The Horn Book Magazine has selected Poems in the Attic to appear in the May/June issue, accompanied by an enthusiastic review.

“Each page turn is like opening that old box in the attic—you never know what is coming next,” said The Horn Book.

Elizabeth Zunon’s illustrations of the book were also lauded, and The Horn Book wrote, “Pink-toned acrylic and oil illustrations are enhanced by cut-paper and fabric collage, allowing readers to imagine seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska, go hiking in Germany, or smell the cherry blossoms in Japan.”

Poems in the Attic reviewed in School Library Journal

March 26, 2015

In a recent review of Poems in the Attic, the School Library Journal praised the collection of poems illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon as “sweet and accessible but never simplistic.”

“Rendered in acrylic, oil, and collage, Zunon’s warm, vibrant illustrations complement the text perfectly,” wrote the School Library Journal.

Kirkus Starred Review for Poems in the Attic

March 2, 2015

Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, received advance praise from Kirkus with a starred review. From the review: “Succinct poetry shines in this impassioned celebration of history; the stories of this African-American family traveling the globe are rich with heart and color.”  The book will be released from Lee & Low this May. Read the full review online here.

Poems in the Attic reviewed in Yellow Brick Road

January 30, 2015

Poems in the Attic, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, was reviewed in the November/December issue of the Yellow Brick Road newsletter. In the book, a girl finds poems her mother wrote as a child, and the book was praised for speaking “deeply to individual and intergenerational experiences.”

Barroux’s Line of Fire

by Claire Easton in Uncategorized Comments: 0

Barroux’s Line of Fire Now a Musical in the UK

January 14, 2015

Last year Barroux‘s widely-acclaimed graphic novel Line of Fire was adapted into a sell-out theater show in France, which is now touring in the UK.  The “musical-drawing ‘spectacle'” features Barroux painting live on stage with music performed by electric guitarist Julien Jubert.  Like the book, the musical explores the experiences of a WWI soldier, whose diary Barroux happened upon one day in the streets of Paris. View a clip from the show below and read more about Line of Fire here.

Not My Girl by Gabrielle Grimard


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Not My Girl Receives an Honorable Mention from the Eric Hoffer Book Awards

May 14, 2015

Not My Girl, written by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, received an Honorable Mention from the Eric Hoffer Book Awards. The awards honor books published by independent houses. Congrats to Gabrielle, Christy, Margaret, and all involved at Annick Press!

Not My Girl was also selected as a Best Multicultural Book of 2015 by CSMCL and an Outstanding International Book by USBBY.

 

Not My Girl and USBBY names Not My Girl Outstanding International Book

February 6, 2015

The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) has published a list of Outstanding International Books for grades K-12, and Not My Girl was selected as part of the 2015 list.

Over 3,000 books have been submitted to the USBBY since the list began 10 years ago, and this year only 42 were featured.

Not My Girl was written by Christy and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton with illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard.

More information here.

Not My Girl and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone selected for CSMCL Best Multicultural Books of 2014

December 19, 2014

The Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) selected two books by Painted Words illustrators for their Best Multicultural Books of 2014 list.

Featured on the list was Not My Girl, which was written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, with illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown with illustrations by Frank Morrison, was also selected.

Congratulations to Gabrielle and Frank!

Over on a Mountain by Jill Dubin


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Over on a Mountain, illus. by Jill Dubin, receives Honorable Mention from the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards

June 8, 2015

Over on a Mountain has received an honorable mention from the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards in the Picture Books Five & Younger category.  The Purple Dragonfly is the latest recognition for author-illustrator duo, Marianne Berkes and Jill Dubin, who won an Indie Book Award and a Mom’s Choice Gold Award for Over on a Mountain earlier this year.

A full list of Purple Dragonfly award winners can be found here.  Congrats Jill and Marianne!

 

Two Awards for Over on a Mountain

May 12, 2015

Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World, written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin, is the winner of a Mom’s Choice Gold Award and an Indie Book Award. Congrats Jill and Marianne!
Pick a copy of the book here.

Over on a Mountain by Jill Dubin receives praise from Kirkus Reviews

December 17, 2014

Over on a Mountain, written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin, has received advanced praise from Kirkus Reviews. The book is the next installment in Berkes’ early science books and is the fifth book in the series illustrated by Jill Dubin. Previous titles include Over in a River, Over in the Forest, Over in the Arctic and Over in Australia.

Regarding Jill Dubin’s artwork, Kirkus said: “As with most in this series, the artwork stands out for its beauty and craftsmanship. Dubin’s textured cut- and torn-paper illustrations evoke both animals and habitats—fur looks soft, rocks look hard, and one can almost smell the greenery, though the scenes are less realistic than cute.”

Over on a Mountain will be available to purchase in March 2015.

 

Under the Freedom Tree by London Ladd


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CBC/NCSS names Under the Freedom Tree a Notable Social Studies Trade Book

February 5, 2015

The Children’s Book Council and National Council for the Social Studies (CBC/NCSS) publishes a list of Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People every year, and Under the Freedom Tree received the honor of being included on this.

The CBC/NCSS selects books that “emphasize human relations, represent a diversity of groups and are sensitive to a broad range of cultural experiences, present an original theme or a fresh slant on a traditional topic, are easily readable and of high literary quality, and have a pleasing format and, when appropriate, illustrations that enrich the text.”

Under the Freedom Tree was illustrated by London Ladd and written by Susan VanHecke.

View the complete list and more here.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton, London Ladd, Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison selected for CPL Best Book of 2014

December 17, 2014

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.

What Ship is Not a Ship? by Josee Masse


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Sarah Dillard, Frank Morrison and Josee Masse featured on Curious City blog’s 2014 Best Of list

December 09, 2014

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.”

 

The Fabulous World of Mr. Fred by Gabrielle Grimard


mr fredQuill & Quire commends The Fabulous World of Mr. Fred by Gabrielle Grimard

December 5, 2014

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.”

 

One Plastic Bag by Elizabeth Zunon


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One Plastic Bag, illus. by Liz Zunon, Receives Children’s Africana Book Honor

October 6, 2016

The Africana Access Review, a program dedicated to reviewing children’s books about Africa, annually gives out awards to the best children’s and YA books on Africa. This year, One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Liz Zunon, has been chosen by this committe to receive a Children’s African Book Honor.

Liz Zunon will be attending a dinner to honor the awarded authors and illustrators is being held tomorrow, October 7th, at Busboys and Poets in Washington D.C. Those interested in attending can RSVP here.

Saturday October 8th, Liz will be signing copies of One Plastic Bag at the 24th Annual Children’s Africana Book Awards Festival at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. This event is free to the public. Liz will be available for signings from 11 am to 2 pm.

One Plastic Bag, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, Makes the 2016 Amelia Bloomer List

January 13, 2016

One Plastic Bag, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon and written by Miranda Paul, has been included on the 2016 Amelia Bloomer List which celebrates “Recommended Feminist Literature for Birth through 18.”  One Plastic Bag tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay who started a recycling movement in her village in Gambia by inspiring women to turn plastic bags into plastic purses.  This tale is the perfect book to empower young girls to dream big and create change.

Visit the full list here.

Congrats Elizabeth and Miranda!

 

New York Public Library includes Frederick’s Journey and One Plastic Bag on List of 2015 Recommendations

December 17, 2015

Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, and One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, both made the New York Public Library’s list of recommendations for 2015! The NYPL recommended one hundred children’s books from 2015, and Frederick’s Journey and One Plastic Bag both made the list for non-fiction children’s books. Congratulations!

Frederick’s Journey can be purchased here and One Plastic Bag can be purchased here. Check out all of the NYPL’s recommended books for the year here!

One Plastic Bag, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, Won a Eureka! Honor Award

November 6, 2015

One Plastic Bag: Isatou and the Recycling Women of Gambia written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, won a Eureka! Honor Award. The Eureka! Gold and Honor Award are awards established by the California Reading Association to recognize great children’s non-fiction books and assist parents and teachers in picking books for their kids to read. Check out the full list of winners and purchase One Plastic Bag here. Congratulations, Elizabeth Zunon!

One Plastic Bag by Elizabeth Zunon out now

February 17, 2015

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon is available now. This beautiful picture book tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay’s quest to clean up her neighborhood by ridding it of potentially dangerous plastic bags. Isatou and her friends did this by gathering the plastic bags and crocheting them into purses. Not only were these purses useful and beautiful, but they generated an income, and the act of recycling transformed Isatou’s neighborhood into a cleaner, safer place.

Elizabeth Zunon will be signing the book at Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, NY, on Sunday March 1 from 12-1:30pm.

At the end of March, they will be joined by the star of the story, Isatou Ceesay herself, to visit schools in the Albany, NY, area where they will be creating recycled art projects with students.

 

Seven Impossible Things to Do Before Breakfast blog features One Plastic Bag by Elizabeth Zunon

December 08, 2014

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.

 

Kirkus reviews One Plastic Bag by Elizabeth Zunon

October 31, 2014

Kirkus expressed praise for One Plastic Bag, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon.

This inspiring book tells the story of a Gambian woman who comes up with an ingenious way to repurpose plastic bags to deal with their difficulty of disposal. Kirkus called the book “a welcome addition to the small shelf of examples of ingenuity in developing nations” and commented that Elizabeth Zunon’s collage illustrations “fittingly … make use of colorful papers and plastic bags. These reveal the labor involved and show the women’s joy in the results of their work.”

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Vanessa Brantley-Newton


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My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay Reviewed in The New York Times

January 30, 2015

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, was reviewed in The New York Times’ Sunday Book Review. The review praised Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s “wonderfully spirited” illustrations, and say My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay is “refreshing in its casual approach to racial diversity.” Read the full review here.

 

Publishers Weekly praises My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

December 09, 2014

Publishers Weekly gave a fine review to My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulaywritten 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.”

 

Kirkus starred review for My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

November 13, 2014

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, has received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

Aimed at readers aged 5-8, this charming book follows Zulay, a African-American first grader who must learn to navigate around school using a white cane. Although she is encouraged by her three best friends – Chyng, Maya and Nancy – all Zulay wants is to be like every other kid: to fit in. My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay‘s inclusive nature ensures that readers of all backgrounds and abilities will feel welcomed and assured by the story and its characters.

About Brantley-Newton’s illustrations, Kirkus said: “Brantley-Newton’s bright colors and attention to facial expressions swiftly convey Zulay’s enthusiasm, attitude and apprehension, as well as the skeptical and encouraging looks she can’t see.”

On the back cover of the book, a raised braille alphabet will introduce the unfamiliar and provides a nice final touch to the experience.

Buy My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

 

Praise for My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton from School Library Journal

November 3, 2014

School Library Journal praised My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay with a very positive review that noted the book as “a great way to continue building diverse library collections for all readers.”

The book is written by Cari Best and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. About the illustration, SLJ said: “Bright, colorful illustrations on a clean white backdrop are crisp and clear and mesh seamlessly with the text.”

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer by Frank Morrison


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New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing Includes Frank Morrison, K.G. Campbell, & Ashley Spires

December 30, 2014
The New York Public Library’s end-of-year list, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, includes The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell, and Frank Morrison‘s illustrated reader Ballerina Dreams.  Also selected was The Most Magnificent Thing, a picture book by Painted Words’ newest author-illustrator, Ashley Spires.  Congrats K.G., Frank, and Ashley on this great honor!

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer by Frank Morrison available now

October 29, 2014

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer, written by Elaine and Michaela DePrince and illustrated by Frank Morrison, is available to buy. The book is based on the true story of Michaela DePrince, one of the top ballerinas in the United States.

Michaela’s story starts with a three-year-old orphan living in Sierra Leone who discovers a picture of a ballerina. That single image inspired a dream that saw Michaela take up ballet after being adopted and moving to America. Even now, as a principal dancer in New York City who has been featured in documentaries, television shows, and, of course, countless dance performances, Michaela still remembers that photograph.

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer is an inspirational story written for readers who are new to reading independently and are improving their reading confidence. Containing both photographs and beautiful illustrations by Frank Morrison, this book is an uplifting read that will inspire readers to reach for their own dreams.

Find it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.