The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books has recommended The Scott Joplin Rag (HarperCollins) by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson. Congratulations, Cathy Ann! 👏

This Friday, Michael Slack is joining author G.G. McQueen for a live reading of "Squash and Pumpkin: #SquashGoals" on Scholastic's Storyvoice. Be sure to tune in at 2 PM EDT and draw along as Michael brings these lovable gourds to life! Learn more here: storyvoice.scholastic.com/la…

Our very own Michael Slack and Micah Player will be joining the "Drawn to Stories" panel at the Las Vegas Book Festival this Saturday, October 17th. If you are in the area, make sure to head over and show them some love! Learn more here: lasvegasbookfestival.com/

We are so excited to share that Shadra Strickland recently joined Carol Jenkins on Black America on CUNY TV for an interview about her new book, Here Comes the Band! Watch the full interview here: youtube.com/watch?v=Il-vp6xk…

It's always so nice to receive art and products from our artists that help bring our office to life. A big thank you to Vanessa Brantley-Newton for sprucing up our corners!😊

We are so excited to share that Olga, the graphic novel series by Elise Gravel, published by HarperCollins, has been greenlit and is in production with Apartment 11 and Fabrique Fantastique Productions. Congratulations, Elise! 👏

Wishing a very happy Book Birthday to Gifts from Crows, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, and My Sister's Quinceañera, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri!🎂🎉

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! (FSG) by Phillip Hoose, illustrated by Bea Jackson has been selected for the 2025 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles Intermediate List. Congratulations Bea!

You Made Fun of My Sandwich (TCM) by Jessica Pegis, illustrated by Harry Briggs is #1 on the Children's Book Council's Children's Favorites List for Third to Fifth Grade,and This is My Brain! A Book On Neurodiversity (Chronicle) by Elise Gravel comes in at #3!

You Made Fun of My Sandwich (TCM) by Jessica Pegis, illustrated by Harry Briggs is #1 on the Children's Book Council's Children's Favorites List for Third -Fifth Grade,and This is My Brain! A Book On Neurodiversity (Chronicle) by Elise Gravel comes in at #3!

SOME OF US: A STORY OF CITIZENSHIP AND THE UNITED STATES (Christy Ottaviano Books) by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee has been named to the May/June Kid's Indie Next list. The book will be published May 27, 2025.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Lee & Low), by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison and Everything in its Place (Doubleday) by Pauline David-Sax, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow have both been named to Kirkus's Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far)!

Living Bridges, The Hidden World of India's Woven Trees (Beach Lane Books) by Sandhya Acharya, illustrated by Avani Dwivedi has been selected by the Junior Library Guild as part of a new category called Global Citizenship for grades K-2. The book will be published June 3, 2025.

The Cool Code 2.0 The Switch Glitch (HarperCollins) by Deire Langeland, illustrated by Sarah Mai has been selected by the American Library Association for the 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List!

Rats to the Rescue (Millbrook Press) by Scott Riley and Sambat Meas, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee is getting noticed! It is a Junior Library Guild Selection, A CCBC Choices book, and now a 2026 Towner Award nominated book.

Some of Us (Christy Ottaviano Books) by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee has been garnering praise, from bookstore love, to a glowing review from Booklist and stars from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Congratulations Huy!

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! by Phillip Hoose, illustrated by Bea Jackson, has been selected as a 2025 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts!

Happy Holidays from Painted Words!

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books joins Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist in giving a starred review to When I Hear Spirituals (Holiday House) by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by London Ladd. It is also a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.

Tiana’s Perfect Plan (Disney/Hyperion) by Anika Noni Rose, illustrated by Olivia Duchess is featured in People Magazine! The article shows Olivia’s beautiful cover for the book, which dare we say is perfect! Congratulations Olivia!