Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

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I’m doing something a little bit different today and sending you over to the Horn Book. I reviewed Grace Lin’s A Big Mooncake for Little Star (Little, Brown, August 2018), one of my very tip-top favorite picture books thus far this year. (I said that on Friday, too, about this book, but they are both top-five favorites for me.)

The review is up at their site here.

And how about that cover art up there?

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— Illustration by Mudrika Devi in Beasts of India,
edited by Kanchana Arni and Gita Wolf
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— From Fiona Woodcock’s Look
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— From Andy Mansfield’s See the Stripes
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Today over at Kirkus, I take a look at one of my favorite picture books thus far this year.

That is here.

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Last week, I wrote here about Beasts of India (Tara, June 2018), edited by Kanchana Arni and Gita Wolf and illustrated by various artists; Fiona Woodcock’s Look (Greenwillow, July 2018); and Andy Mansfield’s See the Stripes (Candlewick, March 2018).

I’ve art from each book today. Enjoy!

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“‘So apartheid was over?’ asked Ziwelene. ‘That’s right. And do you know how he did it?
He got his enemies to sit with him around a table.'”
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I’ve some spreads today from Ambassador Zindzi Mandela’s and illustrator Sean Qualls’ Grandad Mandela, which Mandela wrote with her grandchildren Zazi and Ziwelene. This is a follow-up to a Q&A I did last week at Kirkus with Ambassador Mandela and Sean.

Enjoy!

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Travis Jonker and I wrote about the year in picture book art (2017, that is) for the Horn Book’s current issue (the July/August 2018 awards issue).

That is online here now, if you’re so inclined to read it.

Until tomorrow …

From “First Footing: Hogmanay (Scotland)” —
“Midnight! And the bells are ringing! …”
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Here’s a new poetry collection, dear Imps, all about various holidays around the world that celebrate the mark of a new year — Every Month Is a New Year: Celebrations Around the World (Lee & Low Books, May 2018). Though in the U.S. we celebrate in January, many other countries don’t. Here, the acclaimed poet Marilyn Singer shares sixteen new year celebrations all over the globe, both religious and secular, and they are accompanied by Susan L. Roth’s eye-popping mixed-media collage illustrations.

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Over at Kirkus today, I’ve three new picture books that will have you seeing things in new ways.

That is here.

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Last week, I wrote here about Stephanie Parsley Ledyard’s Pie Is for Sharing, illustrated by Jason Chin. I’m following up with some art here today.

Enjoy!

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“When our publisher first approached us about doing a children’s picture book, we immediately knew we wanted it to be a family endeavor. Madiba’s legacy is something that is a part of the lifeblood of our family, and it was beautiful to be able to share this story together.”

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Over at Kirkus today, I talk with Ambassador Zindzi Mandela (quoted above and pictured left) and illustrator Sean Qualls, pictured right, about their new picture book, Grandad Mandela. Ambassador Mandela, the youngest child of President Nelson Mandela, wrote this book with her grandchildren, Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela (ages 8 and 6, respectively).

That is here.

Next week, I’ll follow up here at 7-Imp with some of Sean’s art from the book.

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Photo of Ambassador Mandela taken by Julio E. Torres.

 
Move over, Ferdinand.

I’ve a review over here at BookPage of Ed Vere’s How to Be a Lion (Doubleday, June 2018).

And here at 7-Imp, I’ve got a bit of art from the book.

Enjoy!

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I got a neat surprise from illustrator Jamie Hogan recently, and I’m sharing it here today. (Fun Fact: Jamie first visited 7-Imp back here, over a decade ago, when the kicks tradition was only 17 weeks old. Whoa. And Eisha was blogging with me. AND images were tragically tiny and so poorly aligned that it makes my heart cry a little. Jamie also visited here in 2013.)

Anywhoozles. Jamie has created an illustration for a Portland (Maine) Public Library exhibit of panel art, and her illustration is inspired by 7-Imp. I mean, right?! The image is above, and in this post, you can read more about it (she references seven things happening at this library, which she describes as a “hub of activity”). You can also read more about the library art show at that link.

Thank you, Jamie! This is specialness.

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— From David Covell’s Run Wild
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“Crows charge and chase, darting and diving,
driving Father Hawk from their roost.”
— From Maria Gianferrari’s Hawk Rising, illustrated by Brian Floca
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Over at Kirkus today, I’ve got a picture book I find to be a bit of a balm for one’s soul right about now.

That is here.

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Last week, I wrote here about Maria Gianferrari’s Hawk Rising (Roaring Brook, June 2018), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca, as well as David Covell’s Run Wild (Viking, June 2018). Today here at 7-Imp, I’ve got some art from the books, and both Brian and David visit to share some thoughts on their respective books, as well as preliminary images (early sketches, etc.) I thank both of them for sharing.

Enjoy!

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