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Blog
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
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
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
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
The Gravity Tree, illustrated by Yas Imamura, HarperCollins
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner, illustrated by Jestenia Southerland, HarperCollins
Be Strong, illustrated by Jen Hill, Roaring Book Press
Scarlet’s Tale, illustrated by Peter Jarvis, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
She Persisted: Harriet Tubman, illustrated by Gillian Flint, Philomel
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
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
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!
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!
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!