Category Archives: Book News

Congratulations to NAACP Image Award Winner She Was the First!

We’re so excited to share that She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Eric Velasquez is the 52nd Annual NAACP Image Award Winner in the Outstanding Literature Work – Children’s category!

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New Release: Kiyoshi’s Walk

Today we’re excited to release Kiyoshi’s Walk by poet Mark Karlins and illustrated by Nicole Wong!

Where do poems come from? This beautiful picture book about a young aspiring poet and his grandfather shows that the answer lies all around us—if we take the time to look.

Kiyoshi's WalkAbout the Book:

After Kiyoshi watches his grandfather, Eto, compose his delicate haiku, he wonders out loud: “Where do poems come from?” His grandfather answers by taking him on a walk through their city, where they see a cat perched on a hill of oranges; hear the fluttering of wings; imagine what’s behind a tall wall; and discuss their walk, with each incident inspiring a wonderful new haiku from Eto. As Kiyoshi discovers that poems come from the way the world outside of us meets the world within each of us, he also finds the courage to write a haiku of his own. Continue reading

New Release: The Electric Slide and Kai

Today we’re excited to release The Electric Slide and Kai by New Voices Award Honor Kelly J. Baptist and illustrated by Darnell Johnson! In this picture book, Kai is the only member of his family who can’t get the dance steps to the Electric Slide right. But Kai is determined to bust a move in this fun and sweet celebration of African American families.

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New Release: Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame by Supriya Kelkar

Today we’re excited to release Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame by award-winning author Supriya Kelkar (Ahimsa, American as Paneer Pie)!

This moving and meticulously researched middle grade historical fiction novel takes a deep look at the impact of colonialism in India. When a rebellion against British colonizers spreads in 1857 India, 12-year-old Meera must choose between relative safety in a British household or standing up for herself and her people.

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New Release: Butterfly for a King: Saving Hawai’i’s Kamehameha Butterflies

Today we’re excited to release Butterfly for a King: Saving Hawai’i’s Kamehameha Butterflies, the newest title behind the Sibert Medal—winning team, Cindy Trumbore and Susan L. Roth. Their book captures the fascinating true story of a beautiful native Hawaiian butterfly, a great Hawaiian warrior king, and current-day efforts by scientists and citizens to restore the butterfly’s declining population.

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Announcing Lee & Low Books’ 2020 New Voices Award Winner and Honor

New Voices Award WinnerNew York, NY—January 19, 2021—LEE & LOW BOOKS is excited to announce that Vanessa Lewis of Hawthorne, California, is the winner of the company’s twenty-first annual New Voices Award. Her picture-book manuscript, Shamu, addresses homelessness in America through the story of a young girl whose resourcefulness and confidence help her meet everyday challenges at home and school.

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Sneak Peek: Lee & Low’s Winter + Spring 2021 Titles

2020 has been a challenging year to say the least, so we’re more than ready to reset and start the new year with some great new books coming out in 2021! Here’s a sneak peek of our Winter and Spring 2021 titles ranging from dance-stepping picture books to heart-stopping middle grade. Continue reading

“We are one human family”: An interview with author Jan Reynolds

JAN REYNOLDS is an award-winning author and photographer Jan Reynoldswhose work has appeared in numerous publications, including National GeographicThe New York Times, and Outside magazine. Her nonfiction books for young readers include Celebrate! Connections Among CulturesCycle of Rice, Cycle of Life; and Only the Mountains Do Not Move.  She also holds the world record for women’s high altitude skiing, was part of the first expedition to circumnavigate Mount Everest, and performed a solo crossing of the Himalayas.

Jan’s newest picture book, The Lion Queens of Indiafollows a group of female park rangers in Gir, India who are tasked with protecting the endangered Asiatic lion. In this interview, we talk with Jan about writing the book and her life traveling the globe in search of stories and connections. Continue reading

Illustrator Archana Sreenivasan Takes Us Behind the Art of Seven Golden Rings

Released last month, Seven Golden Rings: A Tale of Music and Math by Rajani LaRocca and illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan tells the story of an Indian boy who untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah’s court. In this blog post, illustrator Archana Sreeenivasan takes us behind the scenes of her creative process. 

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