My solo debut, Jump In! will be released on January 31st. The first review came in from Kirkus two weeks ago and it was a star! They called it “A moving, grooving snapshot of urban life where kids create the fun and beckon everybody in.” Wow! Just wow! Kirkus has always been very kind to … Read more
Sunday Shopping is finally out in the world! So far the reviews have been wonderfully positive. Here’s what folks are saying: “A splendid choice for collections in need of picture books that feature African American characters, but, more significantly, a lovely title that celebrates imagination and the importance of family.” – SLJ “Strickland’s bright, breezy … Read more
SUNDAY SHOPPING received its first strong review today from Kirkus! “As comfortable as a Sunday afternoon with Grandma, Derby’s picture book sneaks a wee bit of financial literacy into her story of playtime and imagination…Simple phrasing, sparse and easy to read, and charmingly spare watercolor art help create a feeling that is at once realistic … Read more
Last week I posted on facebook a bit of my frustration in the way that reviewers miscast ethnicity in picture books. A good friend of mine had a reviewer identify her family as “Caucasian”, when it was a mixed race family. I posted and then edited a statement (a few times) about that conversation which … Read more
School finally ended. I took a week off to empty my brain of all things MICA and am now ready to wrap up this book. My plan was to finish et the end of the semester, but like a few of my students, I fell shy of my original goal by about three pieces. Those … Read more
Today is the earth shaking release of WHITE WATER! Run to your local bookseller and grab a copy! Check out a great review of WW from The Happy Nappy Bookseller, where she says: I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed White Water. Many times historical picture books are so focused on teaching, there’s … Read more
Another solid review of WHITE WATER. I am thrilled that the reviewer mentioned the mirroring that the black and white characters showed in the illustrations. Even as a child, racism was so odd to me because of just how similar we all are in our basic instincts and mannerisms as human beings. I hope that … Read more
The first review of WHITE WATER is in! PW says: Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein, illus. by Shadra Strickland. Candlewick, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-7636-3678-4 First-time authors Bandy and Stein draw on one of Bandy’s childhood memories in this resonant story about a boy awakening to the injustices around him. In town with his grandmother, … Read more
Head on over to the Fuse 8 blog to read a review of ELIZA’S FREEDOM ROAD today. For those who are interested in the original cover as a print, head on over and find it in my Etsy shop ;-).
ELIZA’S FREEDOM ROAD will debut in January~ Here is a bit of pre-release buzz to whet your appetites: “A story of hope, determination, and the triumph of the human spirit.” — Alma Powell, wife of former Secretary of State Colin Powell “Like the young slave girl who watches a cook ‘stirring tears into…stew,” Nolen stirs … Read more