10 Picture Books I Can't Wait to Read

from Two White Rabbits.

Buitrago Jairo. (2015).  Two White Rabbits. Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng. Toronot, ON: Groundwood Books.
This is a fictionalized account of a young migrant's journey to the United States that show's the child's perspective and she and her father travel on the roof of the train, know as, The Beast. This book will be published October 1, 2015.

Derby, Sally. (2016). Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Illustrated by Sean Qualls. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
I have loved Paul Laurence Dunbar's poetry for years and am so please to see this biography.  I hope it opens his work to others. This book will be released on September 22, 2015.

Farmer, Bonnie. (2015). Oscar Lives Next Door: A Story Inspired by Oscar Peterson's Childhood.
by Marie Lafrance. Toronto, ON: Owlkids Books.
If you know Jazz then you know Oscar Peterson. I have a small collection of jazz picture books and look forward to adding this one to that collection. I didn't know about Oscar Peterson's bout with tuberculosis and how this led him from playing trumpet to piano. This is a fictionalized version of Peterson's life.
This book will be released on September 15, 2015.

Kulling, Monica. (2015). Grant and Tillie Go Walking. Illustrated by Sydney Smith. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books.
This picture book is about American artist Grant Wood. It is a fictionalized story about the artist and his need to be close to what was local. I recently became an admirer of Sydney Smith's art and look forward to seeing how he  interpreted Wood's style.  This book was released on August 11, 2015.

from Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People.

Nelson, S.D. (Lakota) (2015). Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
I read and collect all of S.D. Nelson's books.  His attention to story, detail, us of archival images, and of course is his amazing artwork are always powerful.  I also look forward to learning more about Sitting Bull and Ledger Art. This book will be released on November 3, 2015.

Rhodes-Pitts, Sharifa. (2015). Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, A Young Artist in Harlem. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. New York: MOMA.
I have long admired Jacob Lawrence's art.  His Migrant series is nothing short of astounding.  I also look forward to seeing how Christopher Myers replicated on of the panels.  From viewing the book online, I was impressed with the richness of color. This was published in June, 30, 2015.

from When the Slave Esperança Garcia Wrote a Letter.

Rosa, Sonia. (2015). When the Slave Esperança Garcia Wrote a Letter.  Illustrated by Luciana Justiniana Hees. Translated by Jane Springer. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books.
When I read this opening to the book blurb, I knew tis was a book I would want to read. When I saw it is being published by Groundwood Books, I pre-ordered it. The historical importance of this and the art makes me want to read it. This book will be published October 13, 2015. Here's the blurb:

In 1770, the slave Esperança Garcia bravely penned a letter to the governor of Piauí state, in Brazil, describing how she and her children were being mistreated and requesting permission to return to the farm where the rest of her family was living. Before she wrote her letter, Esperança Garcia lived on a cotton farm run by Jesuit priests, where she learned to read and write — a rare opportunity for a woman, especially a slave. But one day she was separated from her husband and older children and taken with her two little ones to be a cook in the home of Captain Antonio Vieira de Couto, where she and the other slaves were beaten. In despair, she wrote to the governor about her terrible situation. She waited each day for a reply, never giving up hope, and although she never received an answer, she is remembered today for being the courageous slave who wrote the first letter of appeal in Afro-Brazilian Brazil. 

Tate, Don. (2015). Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.
This picture book biography is about 19th century poet,  George Moses Horton, a North Carolina slave.  He purchased his freedom through his art and wrote about slavery through verse. I am familiar with Don Tate's art work having included his book, It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw in an e-book, Making Knowledge in Grade 2 through Read Alouds & Small Group Instruction, that I recently published. This is a link to a reprint of Horton's poetry. This book will be published on September 1, 2015.

Tonatiuh, Duncan. (2015). Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
I only recently became familiar with Duncan Tonatiuh's picture books--and have enjoyed each that I have read.  I appreciate that he offers insights into important history that is not always included in traditional history books. I included his book, Separate is Never Equal  in an e-book, Making Knowledge in Grade 2 through Read Alouds & Small Group Instruction, that I recently published.  I look forward to learning more about Mexican artist, José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada and his important art. Will be released on August 25, 2015.

from Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement.

Weatherford, Carole Boston. (2015). Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
It's great to see a picture book biography about civil rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer. I have admired Carole Boston Weatherford's many books and look forward to reading this one.  She tells Hamer's story in the first person verse. This book was published on August 4, 2015.