When I Hear Spirituals, illustrated by London Ladd, was selected by The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books for their 2025 Blue Ribbon Awards! They wrote, “In this beautifully crafted celebration of African American spirituals, a young narrator alludes to the significance of twelve spirituals within the larger historical, cultural, and religious context of her community; the girl’s welcoming, wondrous tone makes this both an informative and evocative read.” The book was also named a Notable Children’s Book by the ALSC Notable Children’s Books Committee. See the full list here. Congratulations London!
How Sweet the Sound, illustrated by Charly Palmer, was named a Boston Globe Best Book of the Year for 2025. See the full list here. Congratulations Charly!
Pushing Hope, the graphic memoir by Raymond Santana, a member of the Exonerated Five, and illustrated by Keith Henry Brown, was featured on The Innocence Project’s list, “Your Year-End Watch & Read Guide: 9 Books and Documentaries That Will Open Your Eyes About Our Criminal Legal System.” Check out the full list here.
We love counting down the end of the year with Betsy Bird’s 31 Days, 31 Lists. This year’s lists include a number of books by Painted Words authors and illustrators: Fairy Finds Her Song by Bea Jackson (Simon & Schuster) – “Easy Books“ Tate Tuber by Michael Slack (Holiday House) – “Easy Books” No More Gnomes by Beth Mills (Lerner) – “Funny Books“ Not A Dog, illustrated by Laura González (Charlesbridge) – “Bilingual Children’s Books“ Some of Us, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee (Little Brown) – “Books with a Message (Social & Emotional Learning)” A Song For Two Homes, illustrated by Charly Palmer (Random House Studio) – “Books with a Message (Social & Emotional Learning)” Lady of the Lines, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri (Astra) – “Unique Biographies for Kids“
The Horn Book Fanfare, their list of the best books of 2025, includes When I Hear Spirituals, illustrated by London Ladd (Holiday House), and How Sweet the Sound, illustrated by Charly Palmer (Little Brown). Congrats to London and Charly! See the full list here.
Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee and written by Rajani LaRocca (Christy Ottaviano Books), was selected as an NCTE Children’s Book Awards Recommended title. The Orbis Pictus Award is the oldest children’s book award for nonfiction. Congratulations Huy!
