BookPage | September 10, 2020

"‘I want to be everywhere Mama is,’ says a girl as she heads down the stairs one morning in the house she shares with her parents, her brother and her dog, Max. Her love for her family is clear, but she is especially taken with Mama, who sings a good morning greeting, ‘bright as sun,’ to her daughter.

The two spend the day entire together. They comb one another’s hair, take a walk outside, sing and splashing in puddles, read together at bedtime and more—but the book’s central focus is on the particularities of Mama’s world, the details that her daughter takes in over the course of the day. She lovingly catalogs items that belong to Mama, including a fragile, floral-patterned mug, a red toothbrush, an oatmeal bowl, a fuchsia hair barrette and a pair of tall, red boots, comparing them to her own possessions. In a deft touch, the items are featured on the book’s endpapers. When Mama reads to the girl and her brother at night, the girl even observes Mama’s shining teeth as she throws back her head to laugh. She’s deeply smitten, and it’s easy to see why.

Author-illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera occasionally incorporates evocative figurative language into the girl’s narration as to describe their day. ‘The clouds outside are wearing shadows,’ the girl declares before she and Mama leave for their walk. As they sing to the sky during their rainy stroll, Mama tells the girl that a song is ‘highs and lows.’ At bedtime, a ‘sleepy sun’ turns the sky pink before darkness settles in.

Cabrera brings a joyous Black family and their eloquent yet cozy home to vivid life in brightly colored, highly detailed acrylic illustrations. The book’s pace slows considerably toward the ending, as the girl falls asleep and recalls the day she and Mama spent together. One spread depicts merely darkness with rich shades of blue filling every inch of the spread; it’s a lovely moment in which Cabrera lets the story breathe.

Me & Mama is a picture book love letter that captures the extraordinary bond between a mother and daughter on a completely ordinary day.”

Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera received a glowing review from BookPage!

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BookPage | September 10, 2020

“Denene Millner is a publishing powerhouse. She’s a bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, the founder of a successful website and blog for Black parents (MyBrownBaby)—and in 2020, she launched the inaugural list of her eponymous imprint at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. BookPage spoke with Millner about the challenges and rewards of creating and running an imprint, how she finds talented new Black voices to work with and why she believes publishing still needs more books ‘that show Black children doing regular things.’”

Follow the link above to read the full interview.

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Providence Journal | September 10, 2020

“Vanessa Lillie’s debut novel, “Little Voices,” published last year, was a very tough act to follow. As I wrote in my review, the Providence resident ‘has arrived on the American literary scene with a flash of brilliance. Aficionados of mystery, thriller and horror will savor this intricately plotted page-turner that builds to a stunning denouement.’

Lillie was already at work on her next.

And with it, she easily escapes the dreaded sophomore slump.

While ‘For the Best’ lacks the stunning ending that I (and many readers, based on the 2,000-plus Amazon reviews) never saw coming, her new title is in other respects the equal of her debut — and, in some critical respects, superior.”

Follow the link above to read the full review!

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Publishers Weekly | September 8, 2020

“Told from a first-person point of view, this quietly engaging picture book unfolds on a rainy morning, with a Black girl who ‘want[s] to/ be everywhere Mama is.’ Waking up before Papa and younger sibling Luca, the girl narrates aspects of the mother and daughter’s morning routine (‘A shower is warm rain that gets you going’), comparing their respective cups and toothbrushes, oatmeal with toppings, and rain boots. Sensory details, fittingly tangential childlike observations, and familial dialogue make the narrative feel immediate and genuine (‘I don’t like the bumblebee barrette, I say..../ She knows I mean just today’). Cabrera’s striking acrylic visuals recall painters such as Jordan Casteel and Maira Kalman. While a few of the girl’s lines feel nebulously philosophical (‘Some things don’t let go. But for what?/ The stores are boxes filled with people’), the narrative offers an elegant testament to the love-filled bonds between child and parent.”

Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera received a starred review from Publishers Weekly!

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WABE | September, 8, 2020

“Alexander Smalls is a classically trained musician who became a renowned, professional opera singer. He’s also a James Beard Award-winning chef, a restaurateur, and cookbook author.

He will be appearing at the Decatur Book Festival to discuss his new volume, “Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen.” Smalls will discuss his book virtually with “Local Palate” editor, Lia Grabowski Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.”

Follow the link above to learn more!

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Skylight Books Podcast Series | September 8, 2020

“In their ebullient new book, The Writer’s Library, America’s favorite librarian Nancy Pearl and noted playwright Jeff Schwager interview a diverse range of America's most notable and influential writers about the books that shaped them and inspired them to leave their own literary mark. The Writer’s Library is a revelatory exploration of the studies, libraries, and bookstores of today’s favorite authors (including Donna Tartt, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Andrew Sean Greer, Laila Lalami, and Michael Chabon) — the creative artists whose imagination and sublime talent make America's literary scene the wonderful, dynamic world it is.”

Follow the link above to listen to the full interview with Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager.

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New York Journal of Books | September 8, 2020

“The Writer’s Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager is an interesting look into 23 award-winning authors and how they came to their writing careers through the books they have read.

Pearl and Schwager begin each interview with a comfortable setting where the interview takes place, then introduce each author with a brief background and accounting of the various awards they have won.

They interview each author with a basic set of questions, primarily beginning with questions like ‘What are you reading now?’ or ‘What do you read for pleasure?’ Although such questions appear to be very elementary, they get the interview off to a good start and give the interviewee an opportunity to express what type of literature is interesting to them, and how their reading choices set the stage for their own writing.”

Follow the link above to read the full review of The Writer’s Library from New York Journal of Books!

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The Nerd Daily | September 7, 2020

“Releasing on September 8th from Thomas & Mercer, For The Best by Vanessa Lillie follows a troubled woman who is suspected of a murder she can’t remember, so she takes an unusual approach to proving her innocence. We have an excerpt to share with you that will definitely get you interested in this gripping thriller!”

Follow the link above to read the full excerpt of For the Best by Vanessa Lillie.

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LitHub | September 3, 2020

“When people ask me which is my mother tongue, English or Spanish, I usually respond that when it comes to language I have two mothers. Just like my own children, I add.

The idea that we can only have one mother is a narrowing assumption, both in our familial and linguistic lives. And yet, it’s also true that our relationships to our mothers—and our mother tongues—can be infinitely complex, nuanced, primal, and ever-changing. This why, when I was invited to translate my own novel Cantoras into Spanish, I knew immediately that the task would be transformative, in ways I couldn’t yet fathom.

I have spent most of my life yearning for more intimacy with the language of my country of origin, Uruguay. I was primarily educated in English; it is the language of my intellect, the one in which I can best vault and flow along the curves of syntax as I reach for meaning. The era of my adolescence and early adulthood that I spent swallowing hundreds of novels—which, unbeknownst to me then, helped make me a writer—all happened in California, and in English.

That said, though English dominates my intellect, Spanish is the language of my bones.”

Follow the link above to read the rest of Carolina De Robertis’ beautiful essay.

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Kirkus Reviews | September 2, 2020

“Zombies, grave robbers, and grief feature in this trilogy finale fictionalizing author Zora Neale Hurston’s early years.

In 1905, 14-year-old Carrie and her best friend, Zora, begin eighth grade, their final year of primary school in their hometown of Eatonville, Florida, the nation’s first incorporated Black-run town. When a violent White lynch mob arrives hunting a Black fugitive and terrorizing Zora, Carrie, and their families and neighbors, the future seems uncertain. A grave robbery and talk of hoodoo and zombieism heighten tensions within the community. In the midst of the turmoil, Zora’s self-important father decides to run for mayor against the town’s founder as Zora’s mother’s health worsens. Zora, smart, ambitious, and sharp-tongued, boldly challenges traditions, especially those that limit opportunities for girls and women, even as she navigates uncertainty and loss. Bond does the real-life storyteller Hurston proud, weaving an absorbing tale of the everyday horrors Black people faced in the South at the turn of the 20th century, even within the bounds of communities such as Eatonville. Both fans of and newcomers to the award-winning Zora & Me series will thoroughly enjoy this thrilling conclusion.

A sweet, lyrical, finely crafted mystery and a testament to the deep bonds of friendship.”

The third and final installment of the Zora & Me trilogy received a starred review from Kirkus! Follow the link above to read more.

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The New York Times | September 1, 2020

The Writer’s Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager is a New York Times title of interest! Click the link above to read more.

Hasty Book List | September 1, 2020

The Silent Conspiracy by L.C. Shaw and For the Best by Vanessa Lillie were both included in this round-up from Hasty Book List! Click the link above to see the full list.

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CrimeReads | September 1, 2020

“September is regularly one of the best months on the crime reader’s calendar, and this year does nothing to disappoint. That’s why we’re going with twelve recommendations for the month, rather than the usual ten. Below you’ll find exciting debuts and brand new thrillers from some of the most accomplished and widely read authors in the game.“

For the Best by Vanessa Lillie was selected by CrimeReads as one of the books to read this September! Follow the link above to read more.

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School Library Journal | September 1, 2020

“In the final installment of the ‘Zora and Me’ trilogy, readers return to life in Eatonville with 14-year-olds Carrie, Zora, and Teddy. A few years older, we find the trouble that always seems to follow this fictionalized version of acclaimed author Zora Neale Hurston has grown, too. When a white vigilante group sweeps through idyllic Eatonville, the first incorporated all-Black city in the United States, they leave the town reverberating with the shock of a man lynched within their borders. As with the other entries in this series, Zora’s mind begins to spin a web of stories to explain the seemingly inexplicable events around her. Who is summoning the dead in Eatonville, and why? Through lush, descriptive language, readers see the trio wrestle with fear, grief, relationships, changing family dynamics, and of course, racism at the turn of the 20th century. With short chapters, Bond ushers readers through this well-crafted historical novel with hints of mystery.”

Zora & Me: The Summoner by Victoria Bond received a starred review from School Library Journal! Follow the link above to read the full review.

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Popsugar | August 31, 2020

“We've officially made it through summer, and our reward is an impressive list of must-read books coming out in September. This month includes highly anticipated new titles from bestselling authors including Nicholas Sparks, Nick Hornby, and Ruth Ware. Add in a whole host of books already generating rave reviews — from The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes, 2020's answer to Daisy Jones and the Six, to Alyssa Cole's masterful first thriller When No One Is watching — and it's clear that September is one of the most exciting months of the year for book fans. Go ahead and clear your calendar now, because this month is made for reading.”

For the Best by Vanessa Lillie was included in this fabulous round-up! Follow the link above to see the entire list.

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New York Post | August 29, 2020

“Hundreds gathered Saturday afternoon for a march through Kenosha, Wisconsin, a week after 29-year-old Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a city policeman.

Blake’s family, who say the shooting left him paralyzed, have criticized rioters who set fires and damaged buildings during several violent days of protest. They were expected to lead the march. Protests in the city have been peaceful for the past two days, since the National Guard was sent in to help restore calm.

[…]

Separately, Patrisse Cullors, the artist and activist who was one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013, called for a strike in Hollywood to protest Blake’s shooting, following the cancellation of games across several sports last week. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said that ‘I think it’s time for talent, writers, executives, the guild and SAG to show up for Black lives as well.’

Cullors said she and others in the BLM movement are in talks with some talent to see what kind of protest is possible, in a way that will continue the momentum started after George Floyd’s police killing in May.”

Follow the link above to read the full article.

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Shelf Awareness | August 28, 2020

“In Cozbi A. Cabrera's heartwarming Me & Mama, a young child speaks about her mother and their rainy day spent together. Readers of this gentle story may find themselves thinking fondly of the adults in their lives with whom they have strong bonds.

Cabrera uses simple items to draw parallels and highlight differences between the child and her beloved mother: a china cup and a sippy cup, a big toothbrush and a little toothbrush, dresses designed for their different shapes. The realistic acrylic illustrations depict the different skin tones of mother and daughter--Mama darker skinned than her child--allowing Black children to see themselves and/or their family members represented accurately and appealingly. As she did in her 2018 picture book My Hair Is a Garden, the author celebrates natural hair with vivid illustrations portraying texture and precise depictions of hair types and styles common among BIPOC. One illustration is particularly evocative: the young girl holds the comb up to Mama's hair, showing a comforting ritual between mother and daughter.

Cabrera's poetic writing shares the child's love for her mother in detailed bite-sized chunks: "Mama reads to us./ I read to Mama./ I begin each story with Sometimes./ Mama laughs. She throws her head back and shines her teeth./ I laugh too." While Me & Mama offers a canvas onto which all children can draw their life experiences, it is primarily a beautifully celebratory mirror of Black life and family. Gentle and soft, Me & Mama is a loving bedtime story or a soothing read-aloud.”

Shelf Awareness gave a beautiful review of Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera. Follow the link above to read more and pick up a copy today from your local bookstore.

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Red Carpet Crash | August 28, 2020

“Let’s face it alcohol is not our friend. And for Jules Worthington-Smith it’s a nightmare. Her job had a big party last night and she had way too much to drink. She wakes up in the morning feeling horrible, hungover and worst she doesn’t remember most of the night. She knows she went to the event and then met up with her co-worker Terrance after at the local bar not far from her house.

And then the police arrive at her house and say they found her wallet. It was on the ground next to the dead body of Terrance in the alley by the bar they were at. She seems to be the only suspect at this time. She claims she’s innocent. Then word leaks out and she losses her job and gets shunned by a lot of people. She decides to go on the offense. She’s going to find out who killed Terrence.

She starts a VLOG and tapes everything she is doing. Her statement to the police. Her interviewing the bar people. Talking to the widow, the mistress she discovers. She finds all sort of evidence that it could have been someone else that did it. But the more she digs she finds that the truth might not be all that is seems to be. People close to her have lied and things might not be so black and white.

An engaging story with lots of twists and turns you won’t see coming. The use of the VLOG works really well here and enhances the story. A well-written thriller.”

Follow the link above to see the full review of For the Best by Vanessa Lillie!

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