The Gathering Table, illustrated by London Ladd, has been included in NPR’s “Books We Love” of 2025 list. You can see the full list here. Congratulations London!
Erika Lynne Jones is the ArtCentre of Plano’s 2025 Literary Artist Honoree. The award honors “individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts.” Learn more about the ArtCentre of Plano here. Congratulations to Erika on this wonderful honor!
Check out illustrator Cherise Harris‘s Drawing Tutorial for “Read & Learn with Simon Kids” for Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party, written by Chef & TV host, Carla Hall. The book is a follow up to Cherise’s previous collaboration with Carla Hall, Carla and the Christmas Cornbread. Learn more about the book here.
Join Author-illustrator Elizabeth Zunon at upcoming events in Rochester and Albany, NY! See below for more details: -Saturday, November 8: I’ll be at the Rochester Children and Teens Book Festival, reading “Through Sand and Salt: a Tale of Discovery Across the Sahara” at 11:05am. (https://www.rcbfest.com/) -Tuesday, November 11: “My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey” Story-time and book signing at the Albany Institute of History & Art, 11am during Family Free Day (https://www.albanyinstitute.org/event/family-free-day-6)
Alyssa Bermudez‘s graphic memoir, Run Home, has received a second Starred Review from Publishers Weekly. The review says, “It’s a heartfelt and touching exploration of identity, loss, friendship, and family that offers hopeful messaging about turning to loved ones for support, developing positive coping mechanisms, and being open to any and every opportunity for personal growth.” Read the full review here. Congratulations Alyssa! Run Home will be released from Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan on January 27, 2026.
Author-illustrator Chris Monroe joined Minnesota Reads for an interview about her latest picture book, String Ball, which published in May 2025 from Lerner/Carolrhoda Books. Minnesota Reads is a radio show produced at The North 103.3, and you can listen to the full interview here. The book has received great reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus, and School Library Journal: “Crafting meets cat curiosity in this purr-fectly elegant, nearly wordless story from Monroe.”―Publishers Weekly “This work of limited words is a fun little adventure of a classically mischievous cat getting into a pickle.”―Booklist “Featuring spare visuals yet extravagant in its storytelling, a satisfying tale for impatient kittens everywhere.”―Kirkus Reviews “A fun book that requires a sense of story and an attention to detail.”―School Library Journal
