It Jes Happened : When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by Don Tate illus. by R Gregory Christie. Tate is a children's illustrator, and this is his author debut. I find it fitting that a visual artist would stretch themselves artistically and write a biography on a visual artist. I am looking forward to reading this one. Publishers Weekly review
Starred Kirkus review
The Chaos by Nalo Hopkinson. I love the cover and I am super excited about Hopkinson's first YA novel (she's an award winning adult author) The book has received a starred Kirkus review and a starred Publishers Weekly review
In February CBC Diversity committee was formed. The members are primarily editors from various publishing houses.
The CBC Diversity Committee is dedicated to increasing the diversity of voices and experiences contributing to children’s literature. To create this change, the Committee strives to build awareness that the nature of our society must be represented within the children’s publishing industry.
We endeavor to encourage diversity of race, gender, geographical origin, sexual orientation, and class among both the creators of and the topics addressed by children’s literature. We strive for a more diverse range of employees working within the industry, of authors and illustrators creating inspiring content, and of characters depicted in children’s literature.
Anything that gets people talking or thinking about multicultural fiction is a good thing. Speaking of diversity, Edi did a wonderful post called trending in color last week. I thought her observations were right on point.
One thing I see trending this year are starred reviews for authors of color
1.The Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani - Two starred reviews - Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.
2.No Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson - Four starred reviews - Horn Book Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and School Library Journal. My interview with the author
3.Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson - Three starred reviews - Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal
4.The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis - Two starred reviews - Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
5.Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - Two starred reviews - Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal
6. Ship of Souls by Zetta Elliott - Booklist starred review
7. The Wild Book by Margarita Engle - Kirkus starred review
Including It Jes Happened by Tate and The Chaos by Hopkinson's that's nine* books so far by authors of color with at least one starred review.
*Figured I'd cover myself up front for the titles I missed
