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Reminiscing on a Bright Year: 2021 Awards & Accolades

last updated 31 December 2021

In what seems to be a blink of an eye, 2021 has come to an end. The world hasn’t been quite the same the past couple of years, but 2021 brought a sense of our new normal. Every year brings challenges and changes, but also beauty and triumph! Bright artists and clients alike have spent the year bringing children’s books to life, and what a wonderful year it has been! Many Bright artists have received well-deserved praise for their work, and we compiled it all here to share with you. So, grab your cocoa or festive spirits and enjoy reading about how our artists have spent 2021 shining so bright.


New York Times Best Sellers


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The One and Only Sparkella, illustrated by Kim Barnes, Feiwel & Friends

What is God Like?, illustrated by Ying Hui Tan, Convergent Books

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales, cover-illustrated by Julia Iredale, HarperCollins


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The Christmas Owl, illustrated by Kyung Eun Lee, Little, Brown/Hachette

Misty the Cloud: A Very Stormy Day, illustrated by Rosie Butcher, Penguin Random House

Parks and Recreation: Leslie for Class President, illustrated by Melanie Demmer, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers


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Superheroes Are Everywhere, illustrated by Mechal Roe, Penguin Random House

The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary, illustrated by Melanie Demmer, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be, illustrated by Julianna Swaney, Thomas Nelson


Kirkus Best Books of 2021


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The Gravity Tree, illustrated by Yas Imamura, HarperCollins


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Being You, illustrated by Andy Passchier, Penguin Random House

Areli is a Dreamer, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, Penguin Random House

Two Grooms on a Cake, illustrated by Robbie Cathro, Little Bee Books


Kirkus Starred Reviews


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Sunnyside-Up, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock, Greenwillow Books

Laxmi’s Mooch, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, Penguin Random House

The Gravity Tree, illustrated by Yas Imamura, HarperCollins

Areli is a Dreamer, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, Penguin Random House


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This Magical, Musical Night, illustrated by James Rey Sanchez, Little Bee Books

If You Were an Elephant, illustrated by Richard Jones, G.P. Putman’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Be Strong, illustrated by Jen Hill, Roaring Book Press


School Library Journal Best Books of 2021


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In My Mosque, illustrated by Hatem Aly, HarperCollins

This Magical, Musical Night, illustrated by James Rey Sanchez, Little Bee Books


School Library Journal Starred Reviews


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Fearless World Traveler, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander, Holiday House

Goodnight Astronaut, illustrated by Izzy Burton, Penguin Random House

In My Mosque, illustrated by Hatem Aly, HarperCollins

The One and Only Sparkella, illustrated by Kim Barnes, Feiwel & Friends


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Q and U Call it Quits, illustrated by Jorge Martin, Quill Tree Books

What Are Your Words?, illustrated by Andy Passchier, Little, Brown Books For Young Readers

This Magical, Musical Night, illustrated by James Rey Sanchez, Little Bee Books


Publishers Weekly Starred Reviews


In My Mosque, illustrated by Hatem Aly, HarperCollins

Laxmi’s Mooch, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, Penguin Random House


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Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner, illustrated by Jestenia Southerland, HarperCollins

Be Strong, illustrated by Jen Hill, Roaring Book Press


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Scarlet’s Tale, illustrated by Peter Jarvis, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

She Persisted: Harriet Tubman, illustrated by Gillian Flint, Philomel


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Amber & Clay, illustrated by Julia Iredale, Candlewick

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance, cover-illustrated by Ebony Glenn, Bloomsbury

Lotería, illustrated by Dana Sanmar, Knopf


Amazon Editor’s Picks


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Doggo & Pupper, illustrated by Charlie Alder, Feiwel & Friends

Parks and Recreation: Leslie for Class President, illustrated by Melanie Demmer, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The One and Only Sparkella, illustrated by Kim Barnes, Feiwel & Friends

Be Strong, illustrated by Jen Hill, Roaring Book Press


Booklist Starred Reviews


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She Drives Me Crazy, illustrated Steffi Walthall, Roaring Book Press

Doggo & Pupper, illustrated by Charlie Alder, Feiwel & Friends

Areli is a Dreamer, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, Penguin Random House


Society of Illustrators - 2021 Original Art Show Exhibit


Click below to check out the blog!


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Sunnyside-Up, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock, Greenwillow Books

The Gravity Tree, illustrated by Yas Imamura, HarperCollins

Teo’s Tutu, illustrated by Alea Marley, Dial Books

Beautifully Me, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, Simon & Schuster

In My Mosque, illustrated by Hatem Aly, HarperCollins

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales, cover-illustrated by Julia Iredale, HarperCollins

Fearless World Traveler, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander, Holiday House

Areli is a Dreamer, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, Penguin Random House


2021 Bright US Instagram Takeovers


Click below to check our Instagram highlight of the 2021 artist takeovers!


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Thank you so much for reading Reminiscing on a Bright Year! We have enjoyed every moment of creating and dreaming with our lovely artists and clients this year. We look forward to more art and books in 2022! Wishing you all a merry and healthy holiday!

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