Favorite Picture Books of 2020

Favorite Undies of 2020

Don't forget that you can see my casewrap reveals all year round here.

Endpapers for the end of your week!

I TALK LIKE A RIVER

For my last review of 2020, I would be completely remiss if I didn't share I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith. 

Let's Talk Illustrators #165: Nicola Davies

For my last interview of 2020, I am pleased to present my conversation with seasoned author and debut illustrator Nicola Davies about Last: The Story of a White Rhino. Already an accomplished zoologist and writer, Nicola easily (or so it seems!) slides into the role of illustrator with eye-catching and meaningful visuals that push her text forward and tell their own story. Enjoy our chat!

Crushes of the Week: December 6-12, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. The Bad Chair by Dasha Tolstikova (Groundwood Books, October 2020)
2. Mexique: A Refugee Story from the Spanish Civil War by María José Ferrada and Ana Penyas (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, October 2020)
3. The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez and Lauren Semmer (Workman Publishing, December 2020)
4. Sound: Shhh . . . Bang . . . Pop . . . Boom! by Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv (Chronicle Books, October 2020)
5. If You Were Night by Muon Thi Van and Kelly Pousette (Kids Can Press, September 2020)
6. A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris (Candlewick, October 2020)

      

Endpapers for the end of your week!

EVERY COLOR OF LIGHT

Every Color of Light, written by Hiroshi Osada, illustrated by Ryōji Arai, and translated by David Boyd, is a visual and lyrical marvel.

Let's Talk Illustrators #164: Andrés Sandoval

Today I'm sharing an interview Brazilian illustrator, architect, and muralist (among other things) Andrés Sandoval about The Invisible, written by Alcides Villaça. You'll see below how each one of those descriptors informs the way Andrés creates his illustrations, and it was so interesting to peek behind the curtain (or red vinyl in this case) to see how Andrés balanced a dual narrative. 

Crushes of the Week: November 29-December 5, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. One of a Kind: A Story about Sorting and Classifying by Neil Packer (Candlewick Studio, October 2020)
2. The Teachers March!: How Selma's Teachers Changed History by Rich Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace, and Charly Palmer (Calkins Creek Books, September 2020)
3. The Language of the Universe: A Visual Exploration of Mathematics by Colin Stuart and Ximo Abadia (Big Picture Press, October 2020)
4. I Am a Capybara by Michela Fabbri (Princeton Architectural Press, October 2020)
5. The Last Hazelnut by Susanna Isern and Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Barefoot Books, August 2020)
6. I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol and Nathalie Dion (Groundwood Books, September 2020)

     

Endpapers for the end of your week!

LITTLE WISE WOLF

Little Wise Wolf by Gijs Van Der Hammen and Hanneke Siemensma is a quiet, beautiful story about the benefits of teamwork and community.

Let's Talk Illustrators #163: Rosa Osuna

I am so excited to share a special interview today with Spanish illustrator Rosa Osuna. Rosa illustrated Chema Hera's Grandparents, which published in the US for the first time this past spring. This is Rosa's debut book, but it's clear it won't be her last! Check out our conversation below.