The O’Hara Sisters’ ‘Dark Fairy Tale’ by Jules

Featuring HORTENSE AND THE SHADOW, 'a dark fairy tale' by NATALIE and LAUREN O'HARA, a writer-and-illustrator sister team with a new book inspired by stories told on snowy nights by their Polish grandmother.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Africa Is My Home’: Captivating Look at a Captivating Woman

JULES considers 'AFRICA IS MY HOME,' the fictionalized story of a real-life child named Margru, taken from her home by slave traders in West Africa, and brought to the U.S. on the Armistad.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Make Way for Lucky Ducklings & Yu Byun’s ‘Diminutive Paradise’

JULES declares Eva Moore's LUCKY DUCKLINGS, illustrated by NANCY CARPENTER, to be one of 2013's great picture books, and introduces us to DREAM FRIENDS by an impressive debut artist, YOU BYUN.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Hard Road to Compassion and Inclusion in an Alien World

JULES spotlights two important new books for young readers: SANCTUARY: KIP TIERNAN AND ROSIE'S PLACE, THE NATION'S FIRST SHELTER FOR WOMEN and Young Vo's GIBBERISH, in which a young boy navigates a new language in a new land.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Visit with Matthew Cordell to Talk About What is Still My Favorite Picture Book of the Year

An interview with Matthew Cordell, author/illustrator of our kids' lit blogger Jules's favorite book of the year, hello! hello!
by David McGee
 

 
 

Timeless Topics: Home and Spring

A double-shot of 7 Imp this time around: in 'A NEW HOME,' we see 'the common humanity in two cultures on two different spots in the map'; and in BLOOM BOOM! we celebrate the flowering, if you will, of spring!
by David McGee
 

 

 

Last Stop on Market Street: A Visit with Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson

JULES sits down with MATT DE LA PEÑA, author of one of her favorite new books of 2015, LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET, beautifully illustrated by CHRISTIAN ROBINSON.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sergio Ruzzier Returns (And Brings a Legend With Him)

Famed illustrated SERGIO RUZZIER publishes a new book featuring a previously unpublished text by the legendary RUTH KRAUSS. JULES gets the inside story in an interview with Ruzzier.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Revisiting Dire Lullabies to Great Effect with Linda Ashman and Simona Mulazzani

LINDA ASHMAN's ROCK-A-BYE ROMP, with illustrations by SIMONA MUJAZZANI, is an early 2016 treat. Jules's review of same is another early 2016 treat.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Latest from Komako Sakai

As I’ve made clear before here at 7-Imp, I’m a fan of the illustration work of Komako Sakai (who even visited for a brief interview last year). So, I was happy to see that she’s illustrated a new book, this one written by...
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Battle Bunny’: A Visit with Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers

JULES queries the creative team behind the new children's book, BATTLE BUNNY. An interview with JON SCIESZKA, MATT BARNETT and MATTHEW MYERS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Spotlight on Smaller Publishers

Reviews of three new beautifully illustrated picture books for children, all issued by smaller publishing houses
by David McGee