BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Savor the work of the well-loved and lauded illustrator Quentin Blake in this keepsake collection of fun, quirky drawings that will delight both longtime devotees and emerging young fans.

A chef in mid-fall, balancing a towering, toppling cake. A bespectacled gentleman riding a multi-wheeled bike, with a man on his back juggling eggs. Known for their whimsy and wit and uncanny ability to convey worlds of expression with only the scantest of line, Quentin Blake’s illustrations have long been linked to the work of storytellers such as Roald Dahl, but in this book they shine on their own. Originally self-published in a series of slim titles dubbed the QB Papers—collections of drawings, varied in tone and approach, evoking journeys both real and imaginary—the images in Quentin Blake’s Fantastic Journeys fall under titles such as “Trip Hazards,” “Feet in the Water,” and “Ten Things You Cannot Really Manage Without.” Curated both for maximum child-friendliness and for the shelves of art-book collectors, this beauty of a gift book is a sheer pleasure, guaranteed to invite many a revisit.

“Unfailingly eloquent and insightful. . . . Essential reading for all of those who treasure free speech.” —Booklist (starred review)

A powerful photo essay on transgender teens is called anti-religious and anti-family. A meticulously researched primer on sex education stirs up accusations of pornography and child abuse. Picture books about two mommies (or two penguin daddies) set off a clamor. Two hugely popular children’s series run afoul of would-be censors, one for its scatological humor, the other because it’s deemed too scary. Kids’ books that touch on race, sex, LGBTQ+ matters, the occult, “coarse language,” and more have found themselves under the scrutiny of those who challenge First Amendment rights.

Tune in as thirteen top authors for young people speak out about what it’s like to have your work banned or challenged in America today. They discuss why their books have faced censorship, how the challenges have affected their writing, and why some people want to deny access to books. Meanwhile, Leonard S. Marcus puts First Amendment challenges in a historical context and takes a promising look at the vibrant support network that has risen up to protect and defend young people’s rights. Featuring an inspiring new foreword from Levar Burton, You Can’t Say That! is a nuanced and powerful testament to the essential freedom to read.

Authors interviewed include:
Matt de la Peña * Robie H. Harris * Susan Kuklin * David Levithan * Meg Medina * Lesléa Newman * Katherine Paterson * Dav Pilkey * Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell * Sonya Sones * R. L. Stine * Angie Thomas

A fascinating, beautiful, and definitive account of the life of esteemed artist Helen Oxenbury.

Filled with insights that span Helen Oxenbury's life — from her early childhood through a career in children's books that started in the 1960s and is still going strong today — here is an exquisitely designed and thoroughly entertaining celebration of one of the finest illustrators of our time. Written by acclaimed author Leonard S. Marcus, Helen Oxenbury: A Life in Illustration is a keepsake that is sure to engage and delight everyone from scholars to art aficionados, as well as the many fans who have grown up with Helen Oxenbury’s enchanting books.

“Three popular kidlit bloggers take readers on a wild ride through children’s literature that is as entertaining as it is educational. . . . Not to be missed.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

Secret lives, scandalous turns, and some very funny surprises — these essays by leading kidlit bloggers take us behind the scenes of many much-loved children’s books. Told in lively and affectionate prose, this treasure trove of information for a student, librarian, parent, or anyone wondering about the post–Harry Potter children’s book biz brings contemporary illumination to the warm-and-fuzzy bunny world we think we know.

From mischievous child prodigy to the dynamic Lord of the Dance, an engaging look at the life of Revels founder John Langstaff.

On Christmas Eve in 1920, John Meredith Langstaff was born into a music-filled home where a rousing, wassailing carol party was the peak of his family’s year. Half a century later, his inspired Christmas Revels was born, a theatrical weaving of traditional song, folkdance, and drama that has become a beloved institution across the country. Now award-winning author Susan Cooper, a friend and writer for the Revels, traces its roots through the rhythms of Jack Langstaff’s life--from star choirboy (and notorious troublemaker) to his early career as a noted recital singer; from a daunting World W ar II injury to his work as recording artist, TV performer, teacher, and children’s author. Along the way, his passion for music, ritual, and community fused to spark the incomparable Revels, a participatory celebration that promises to draw children of all ages for generations to come.

A beautiful collectors’ volume showcasing the art, life, and inspiration of a celebrated author-illustrator.

Take a look behind the scenes at the work of John Burningham, one of the world’s most talented children’s book creators, in this fascinating masterwork showcasing everything from sketches to background stories, family photos to full-color art. Complete with a foreword by Maurice Sendak, an introduction by the distinguished children’s book author, critic, and curator Brian Alderson, and copious notes and revelations by the author-illustrator himself, this gorgeous showpiece belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves — or aspires to — the art of children’s book creation.