Finding Family: An Interview with Author Laura Purdie Salas and Illustrator Alexandria Neonakis

In May 2019, researchers on a lake in northern Wisconsin made a strange discovery: a pair of loons seemed to be raising a mallard duckling! Normally loons and mallards are rival species, but somehow these three—two childless parents and an orphaned chick—found each other. Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons, by author Laura Purdie Salas and illustrator Alexandria Neonakis, tells the true story of this unlikely family through intriguing verse and striking illustrations. To learn more about how this heartwarming picture book about animal cooperation came together, read on.

Where We Come From is a visually striking exploration of family, history, and identity from four authors who collaborated to create a single, poetic text. The richly layered illustrations from illustrator Dion MBD connect past and present in this accessible picture book.

Today Dion MBD joins us to talk about his art, his biggest influences, and hopes for the future. Read on to see some of the process photos and sketches from the book as well as photos from the Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) International Airport “Stars of the North” storytelling exhibit!

April 15, 2022 marked 50 days of war in Ukraine. In that time, people around the globe have turned their attention and support to the citizens of Ukraine and Ukrainian populations elsewhere in the world.

Today we’d like to feature the work of two Ukrainian illustrators of Lerner and Kar-Ben Publishing books: Sofia Moore and Yevgenia Nayberg. Learn about each illustrator below and see where you can view more of their work.

By Carol Hinz, Associate Publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books

The picture book Today Is Different is a powerful look at protest, solidarity, and social justice. Written in the aftermath of the protests that followed George Floyd’s murder, the book is also a touching portrait of a friendship between two young girls. As the book’s editor, I was so impressed by how enthusiastic and collaborative debut author Doua Moua and debut illustrator Kim Holt were throughout the book-making process. Read on to hear from both Doua and Kim about what this book means to them!

By Carole Boston Weatherford

“There is no greater gift than the truth.”
Floyd Cooper

I credit my two children with introducing me to Floyd Cooper—not the man but the artist. Their grandmother gave them the poetry book Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea by Joyce Carol Thomas. Floyd’s subjects’ faces glowed with warmth and love. I next encountered his work in Nikki Grimes’s Meet Danitra Brown. Floyd’s realistic illustrations invited my daughter into Danitra’s neighborhood and into her circle of friends.