Recently released from Candlewick, Isle of You by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Jaime Kim, is a visually stunning story that aims to boost self-esteem in kids. This uplifting story is described in Publishers Weekly as “the picture book equivalent of a guided visualization,” and a “calming sojourn.” Also remarked upon is the incredible world that Kim has created, a “fantasyland bathed in light that gradually shifts from soft yellows and pinks to deep blues and purples.” You can read the full review here and buy your copy of the book here.
Ahead of its release, Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay has received a great review from Publishers Weekly. The review remarks upon the “lovable” sheepdog character, and mentions the “giggle-inducing word choices” and “sweet friendship” that is portrayed. This charming story about a blossoming, unlikely animal friendship is a highly anticipated title, which will be available February 12, 2019. You can read the full review here, and pre-order your copy of Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep here.
Congratulations to Beth Mills, who was chosen as the winner of the 2018 SCBWI Narrative Art Award! This year’s assignment was to show sequence and narrative for the theme “misunderstood monster.” A note from the judges: We chose Beth’s story of bad Nordic neighbors for its original take on the assignment, for its effective three-panel creation of an interesting emotional arc, and for its compact and natural-feeling way of conveying story elements by purely visual means. You can read more about the annual award here and view the online gallery of submissions here.
STARSTRUCK: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson, illustrated by Frank Morrison has been selected to the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 for 2019 list! The Outstanding Science Trade Book list is a joint project of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the CBC since 1973, Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 represents the year’s best books for science classrooms, chosen by science educators. To read the full list of titles, click here, and grab your copy of STARSTRUCK here.
Each year, the New York Public Library compiles a list of “outstanding children’s titles,” and this year, Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School illustrated by London Ladd is featured on that list! The historical fiction picture book received a starred review from Kirkus earlier this year, which admired Ladd’s “detailed, realistic illustrations” and described the book as “an excellent homage to an African-American woman who taught ahead of her time.” You can grab your copy of Midnight Teacher here and view the full NYPL Best Books for Kids 2018 list here.
The Roots of Rap illustrated by Frank Morrison, has garnered a series of spectacular reviews ahead of its publication in January 2019. The book received a starred review from Kirkus, which deemed it “supa-dupa fly, with lush illustrations anchored in signature hip-hop iconography” and explains that the “illustrations set the stage” for the storyline. Yet another starred review from Booklist remarks on the book’s “excellent job of capturing the essence of rap,” noting how the “images swirl and flow across the page” and praises the many “visual details” Morrison provides, especially those on the “attention-getting cover.” Starred review #3 comes from School Library Journal, which highlights the way Morrison “plays with perspective and scale in such a way that each page stands out uniquely from the last.” The Roots of Rap also made School Library Journal’s list of Phenomenal Titles for November 2018! Make sure to pre-order The Roots of Rap here today!
