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A magical evening at the @kirkus_reviews Prize, sharing the sunset with @laura.simeon , @SPolos president of @usbby_books and children’s book historian @LeonardsMarcus. Inspiring words, wonderful conversations and the joy of being among book lovers! 💙📚

Congratulations to winners @tayari for Kin, @pamela_colloff for Catch the Devil and @acevedowrites for Anger Is Only a Shadow. Can’t wait to dive into the pages..

#KirkusPrize #BookLovers

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Thank you to the American Booksellers Association @americanbooksellers for shouting out the launch of the USBBY Latido Honor List in BTW!

Latido was created to celebrate distinguished children’s and YA literature by Latino creators and to help more of these books reach the librarians, educators, booksellers, families, and young readers who need them.

As I shared with ABA: more than one in four children in the United States is Latino, yet Latino creators and stories remain underrepresented in children’s publishing. Latido is one step toward helping those stories travel farther, louder, and with the care they deserve.

Booksellers and book lovers: subscribe to ABA’s BTW newsletter to stay connected to important industry news, resources, and opportunities.

And if you care about international children’s literature, cultural exchange, and getting more global books into young readers’ hands, join or subscribe to USBBY.

¡Pa’lante, siempre! 💛

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I’m so honored to finally share USBBY’s Latido Honor List with the wider children’s literature community after months of planning and dreaming about what this initiative could become. 📚

The Latido Honor List for Latino Children’s Literature will recognize distinguished children’s and YA books by Latino creators in the U.S. that center Latino characters, cultures, identities, ancestries, and lived experiences. Our mission is to celebrate the incredible work already being created, increase its visibility, and encourage even more stories reflecting the breadth of our communities.

Latino identity is not a monolith, and neither is our literature. My hope is that this list can celebrate the many voices that make up our community while honoring the heartbeat connecting them.

Latido is an initiative of USBBY, the U.S. national section of @ibby.international, a global organization dedicated to bringing children and books together.

Thank you to Kara at School Library Journal @sljournal for helping introduce Latido to the public.

Follow @usbby and subscribe to the newsletter at USBBY.org for upcoming ways to get involved, and consider joining USBBY as a State Ambassador in your own community. (USBBY.org)

Article: https://www.slj.com/story/USBBY-To-Launch-List-Honoring-Latine-Titles

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In 2023 went chasing the disappearing Aral Sea.
On my way I saw a woman carrying two heavy buckets of water she had purchased from a water truck.

I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

That one moment shifted my perspective on writing this book. The sea was no longer the main character. The people were.

Tomorrow at the IBBY World Congress, I’ll be talking about the Qaraqalpaqs, a disappearing sea, and what picture books can preserve when a landscape can no longer be saved.
—

9:35–10:30 AM PP 16

Listening to the Vanishing Sea: Indigenous Voices, Memory, and Environmental Loss in Picture Books

Dinara Mirtalipova
Cleveland Institute of Art, USA

Nicol Building, Room 3030
—
The Vanishing Sea, Dinara Mirtalipova,
Published by Chronicle Books @chroniclekidsbooks

@ibby.international
@ibbycanada
@ibby_uzbekistan
@usbby_books

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This Saturday I’ll be speaking at the IBBY World Congress @ibby.international in Ottawa about The Vanishing Sea and the process of creating a picture book rooted in memory, environmental loss, and the voices of Qaraqalpaqs. It’s a topic that has become deeply personal to me over the years, and one I’m excited to finally share beyond the pages of the book.

A huge thank you to my friends Nick Leysens @nickleysens and Greg Leysens @gregleysens for bringing this animation to life.

If you’re attending IBBY, I’d love to see you there on Saturday, August 8, at 9:30 am, in Nicol Building, Room 3030 (Session PP16: Listening to the Voices of Nature: Imagination and Memory).

@ibbycanada
@usbby_books
@ibby_uzbekistan

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an absolute 💎💎💎

Spendin' Time 💞
written by Gary R. Gray, Jr
illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

★PW Best

"A poetic & joyful tale about a young boy who runs errands with his grandfather in town… a kid-friendly meditation on appreciating every moment—big or small—spent with the people you love."

★"Bell makes masterful use of light… Her impressionistic images shimmer, while Gray’s text has an easy, folksy rhythm that mirrors Granddad’s own relaxed attitude; this is as much a love letter to grandparents as it is to Preston, Nova Scotia, where Gray spent time with his own grandparents. As warm & nourishing as apple pie." -Kirkus

★"You will feel the bond between young Gary & his Grandad deep in your soul on every page, in every last word." -Derrick Barnes

★"It is rare that a book comes around with such an unassuming & quiet message that is all joy & no strife. Every utterance is embedded with happiness, pride & love. Bell’s characters radiate contentment & love…rich with life. Sweet, calm & nostalgic" -BookPage

★"This duo has woven together a story that is both snuggly & sincere. Bravo!" -Oge Mora

★"The dialogue is easy & rhythmic, with the boy’s worried questions about being late answered by Granddad’s gentle assurance that 'we’re spendin’ time,' something Nan would surely approve of. Full-bleed, full-page spreads wrap readers up in the breezy adventure…" -BCCB

★"Gray’s loving tribute tells the story of…learning lessons about the community & skills to feed the family, and how life works. The stylized, cheerful, animated artwork exudes love for family, home, and community…like a hug from a grandparent." -SLJ

★"…sweetly sensate… Golds, pinks, and reds permeate soft pastel landscapes, lending a feeling of warmth to this roundly rendered tribute to the treasure of unhurried time with loved ones." -Pub Weekly

★"…tender story about relishing time with loved ones. The text is soothing with a nice rhythm. Bell’s soft illustrations capture the closeness between grandson & grandfather." -The Horn Book

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Happy International Friendship Day! ☺️

We found this brilliant picture book in our library and borrowed it to read with our eldest. It’s a moving story that’s exquisitely and thoughtfully written and illustrated.

It’s about a boy who reluctantly shrinks his long, multi-syllabled name to ‘Zim’ to fit in when he joins his new school. When he gets home, he tells his mother who then reveals the strong cultural meaning of his name and advises him to ‘Give people a chance to say it right’ (which is our favourite line in this book). It isn’t long before a heartwarming friendship with his new school friend, Elly, who gets to know him and his culture, empowers him to confidently love and accept his name.

When we finished reading this book together, our eldest insisted on practising the pronunciation of the boy’s name because he wanted to say it correctly. Three attempts later, he said ‘His name is Zimdalamashkermishkada.’

A wonderful picture book that celebrates friendship, acceptance, individuality and culture that we thoroughly enjoyed reading together ☺️

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If you are going to ALA Chicago, here is another great event to attend.

USBBY: Celebrating Global Picture Books.

Saturday, June 27th at 2:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel McCormick Place, Chicago

#ALA #picturebooks #bookevent

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😻

Grandma's Roof Garden🫛🍆
created by Tang Wei
translated by Kelly Zhang

★USBBY Outstanding Int'l Book

"Granny may be old, but she’s certainly not feeble–or idle! Tang Wei creates a love letter to an indomitable grandma of the city, inspired by her own childhood & a precious elder, and shows how one person can create a beautiful green space in the heart of the concrete jungle & bring together an entire community."

★"With ingenuity, hard work, and boundless optimism, Granny…brings together folks from all walks of life. The humorous, rhyming text…and Granny’s spunky, delightful personality will instantly endear herself to readers young & old." -World Kid Lit

★"Bursting with vibrant color & detail… the poetic translation…is spiced with flavorful language… readers will relish this joy-filled soul who sows with enthusiasm & reaps a bounty of love to share with all." -Booklist

★"[L]ove sprouts from the pages of this charming picture book." -Foreword

★"…charming… Dynamic pencil drawings fill every inch of the page with color & life, and a…always playful text oozes with wonder at one person’s ability to transform an often-forgotten space into food for the good of herself, the environment, and her whole community." -Words Without Borders

★"…exquisite…Wei lovingly cultivates a picture book…with expressionistic folk art & vibrant, textured illustrations. Readers…will admire Granny’s passion for giving back to the community while living happily & healthily in green spaces." -BCCB

★"Zhang maintains the playful punchiness of Wei… Readers will be touched to learn there’s a real-life Granny out there living a wonderful veggie-centric life—and perhaps be energized to grow community & good health in their very own gardens too. This heartwarming tale is one to share & treasure." -BookPage

★"Inspiring & delicious." -Kirkus

★"…she is not just a vital & energetic individual, but also a generous member of the community. Wei was inspired by an elderly relative who was expected to slow down in retirement but stayed fit & well-fed this way instead." -NAEYC

https://www.levinequerido.com/products/grandmas-roof-garden

#grandmasroofgarden #levinequerido #twogreykittensbookclub

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Join Patricia Forde @trishforde1 and Mac Barnett @macbarnett for a conversation between children’s literature laureates today! 🗣️ 📚

🗓️ 24 March 2026
⏰ 12pm EDT/9am PDT/4pm GMT
📍Virtual: Zoom (DM us for the registration link)

More info:
Only a handful of countries in the world have a dedicated children’s book advocate. In this 45-minute webinar, we listen in as Ireland’s Children’s Laureate Patricia Forde and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett talk about their mission, memorable moments, and their hope for the future of children and the books they read.

Hosted by Ellen Myrick @pubspotlight 💙
Sponsored by @laureatenanog and @usbby_books

#kidsbooks #authors #events #childrensbooks #kidlit @consortiumbooks

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Join us for a very special children's book chat between our own Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Mac Barnett.

The conversation will be live streamed at 4pm Irish Time on Tuesday, March 24th. A recording will also be available at a later date.

To join, please register at the link in the bio.

This event is brought to you by @usbby_books and Laureate na nÓg

@kidsbooksirel
@artscouncilireland
@artscouncilni
@deptcde
@ibbyireland A brown book lies open on a wooden background. The two visible pages of the book feature photos of the two authors: Patricia Forde, a white lady with red hair, is pictured on the left hand side. Her name and title (Laureate na nÓg) appear above the image. She is wearing a black and white spotted dress. Mac Barnett appears on the right hand page, he is white man with short brown hair and is wearing jeans and a denim shirt. He is seated in the photo. His name appears above his photo with the title 'National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, USA'. At the top of the overall image on a brown background it reads 'A Laureate/Ambassador Children's Book Chat' under that 'Tuesday, March 24 at 12 noon EDT/ 9am PD'. The bottom of the image reads 'brought to you by' followed by the logos of Laureate na nÓg and USBBY.

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Just in case your soul needs to feel a bit of the bloom... 💖💖💖

When the Sakura Bloom🌼
created by Narisa Togo
translated by Michael Sedunary

★USBBY Outstanding Int'l Books List ★Freeman Award Honor

"Through subtle text & gentle imagery readers will see the importance of slowing down to appreciate the moment. That comfort, not despair, can be found in the inevitable cycles of the seasons. How change can usher in opportunities & rejuvenation. An understated illustration of the importance of celebrating the fleeting, delicate beauty of nature; and the metaphor this represents for life itself."

★"Even though the time of the Sakura is ephemeral, the people are content to be immersed in its beauty while it lasts, without anxiety for what comes next or pining for the past. Although normal life resumes, the steady, cyclic turning of the seasons is a comforting metaphor for life. Like the Sakura blossoms themselves, this book is a work of beauty & reflection." -Joy Lawn, PaperbarkWords

★"In this beautifully illustrated book, the Sakura trees bloom amid the rush of urban life. Through evocative text & a palette reflecting the blooms themselves, Togo introduces readers to concepts particularly valued in Japanese culture: mindfulness & observing the fleeting & fragile beauty of nature." -SLJ

★"What begins as a grey tale, and a somewhat everyday tale, transforms into something more when the cherry trees start to blossom above harried travelers’ heads. Onomatopoeic in its telling & burbling with touches of nature, this is a perfect picture book articulation of spring’s triumphant return." -Foreword

★"The simple text & gentle visual imagery illuminate the magic to be found in the natural world & in small moments. An understated ode to an iconic Japanese cultural celebration, mindfulness, and the restorative power of the seasons." -Kirkus

★"My daughter & I loved the spreads where we could hold the book over our heads & pretend we were lying beneath the pink blossoms." -Elisabeth, Goodreads

https://www.berbaybooks.com/product/when-the-sakura-bloom

#narisatogo #whenthesakurabloom #berbaybooks #berbaypublishing #twogreykittensbookclub

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