Written by Erin Frankel
April 21, 2026 Calkins Creek (Astra)

Stephen Sondheim learns to assemble musicals like the pieces of a puzzle on his way to becoming an American theater icon.

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FOUR STARRED REVIEWS!

★ "Innerst’s illustrations forgo a realistic depiction of the subject, allowing the pictures to have their own theatricality. They are absolutely stunning and bring the author’s words to life, as one would hope to do in a musical. Sondheim would approve."—School Library Journal starred review

★ "Innerst’s moody acrylic, colored pencil, and ink illustrations create dynamic, expressionistic scenes that dance across the page like musical notes. Expository spreads show Sondheim making music or working in the theater, but it’s the conceptual illustrations that will intrigue creative readers: Sondheim riding a roller coaster with relevant terms ('melodious score,' 'lyrics that soar!') placed along the rails or surrounded by oversize puzzle pieces posing questions such as 'What is the sound for loneliness?' and 'Should the first and last notes rise?' Indeed, puzzles prove an inspired central metaphor for the creative process as Sondheim perfects his work… A brilliant glimpse at a musical genius, imbued with a profound truth: Creativity is truly about the journey." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ Fanciful art in acrylic, colored pencil, and ink in Innerst’s (illustrator recently of Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, rev. 5/25) recognizable style incorporates musical notes, images of the composer at work, and references to his musicals; see especially a spread whose puzzle pieces evoke Georges Seurat and thus Sunday in the Park with George. A focused introduction to Sondheim for budding young creatives."—The Horn Book starred review

★ nnerst incorporates puzzle piece shapes (some overlaid with question-driven notes—'What is the sound for loneliness?') throughout emotive, limited-palette acrylic paint, colored pencil, and ink spreads. Emphasizing process over life-writing, this incisive biography focuses firmly on Sondheim’s gift for assembling the pieces. Back matter includes an author’s note and timeline.”—Publishers Weekly starred review

Selected by jury for TheAmerican Illustration 44 Annual

Written by Richard Michelson
October 7, 2025 Calkins Creek (Astra)

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A Tablet Magazine Best Jewish Children’s Book of 2025

"What the first Jewish U.S. Supreme Court justice knew could fill a book... A solid introduction to an honorable man, known for his fair-minded rulings."
—Kirkus

Written by Lisa Rogers
February 25, 2025 Calkins Creek (Astra)

Selected by jury for the 2025 ORIGINAL ART Exhibition at the NY Society of Illustrators

EUREKA! Silver medal from the California Reading Association

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★
"Simply marvelous."
—Kirkus Starred Review

“Innerst’s mesmerizing illustrations
bring art to life”
—Horn Book Review

“American abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell’s dynamic style and approach are the subject of this lyrical, exuberantly colorful picture-book biography…Rogers' spare text emphasizes her focus and determined imagination as she works on the paintings, but it’s Innerst’s bold illustrations, filled with thick, bright brushstrokes in riotous color alongside angular, black-and-white drawings of the lanky artist in her studio, that showcase the power of her work.”
—Booklist

It’s 1983, and American artist Joan Mitchell is in her studio outside Paris, transforming her emotions and memories into a symphony of colors and shapes. Inspired by her friend’s description of an idyllic hidden valley in France, Mitchell creates 21 massive paintings—her Grande Vallée series —bursting with vibrant, energizing hues. But she doesn’t paint the valley’s flowers and meadows. She paints a feeling about them—abundance, freedom, liveliness—creating  a harmonious blend of drips, splashes, and brushstrokes in rainbow colors. When the paint dries, it's time to share her valley with the world.

Written by Sarah Albee
August 27, 2024 Calkins Creek (Astra)

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A KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Book of 2024

Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids: 2024 Edition

George Washington hated having his portrait painted, but as president of the United States, he knew his image needed to live on. This nonfiction picture book explores how artist Gilbert Stuart created Washington’s most lasting and recognized portrait—the one that’s used
on the one-dollar bill.

THREE STARRED REVIEWS!

★ A lighthearted, illuminating, and thought-provoking look at a brief but meaningful historical moment. —Kirkus

★ A captivating exploration of the making of one of history’s most famous portraits.
—Booklist

★ Elegantly economic, always accessible prose gives a sense of the era’s decorum, while sculptural acrylic, pencil, and digital artwork captures both the artistic process and the wrangling of two unique historical personalities. —Publishers Weekly

"An iconic portrait of George Washington comes to life in this painterly picture book. The illustrations take painting as their inspiration, with visible brushstrokes and dramatic contrasts creating an immersive experience." —Foreword Reviews

Selected by jury for the NY Society of Illustrators Original Art show

Junior Library Guild Selection

Written by Jonah Winter
May 14, 2024 Abrams/Cameron Kids

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Selected by jury for the NY Society of Illustrators Original Art Show

A Junior Library Guild Selection

American Illustration 42 Winner

★
"To go with art that rewards looking and then looking again, the all-birdsong narrative, read aloud, creates a kind of infectiously joyful mouth music...Definitely for the birds, in a wonderful way."
—Kirkus Starred Review

★
Dazzling collaged illustrations are a glorious mishmash of bright colors and varied textures, capturing the exuberance of the noisy birds and the ever-shifting glow of daylight. Gather the flock and revel in a rambunctious read-aloud with new fabulous feathered friends.
—Booklist Starred Review

Written by Lisa Robertson
May 10, 2022, Abrams Books

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“The Sweetest Scoop is a visual treat!”
—Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield, Co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s

"With ample humor and delightful illustrations this lively history of the founding and success of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream will both entertain young readers and offer lessons in perseverance and determination." –School Library Journal

An Amazon “Editors Choice”

Chunky Monkey. Cherry Garcia. Truffle Kerfuffle.
Legendary ice cream makers Ben & Jerry are behind some of the wackiest, tastiest flavors we know and love. It all began when two groovy guys, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, met when they were twelve years old. Ben liked art, Jerry liked science, and they both loved food . . . especially ice cream!Chock-full of facts and humor, this entertaining biography about two hardworking partners living their Americone Dream gives readers plenty to chew on. Through their inventiveness, passion, and activism, Ben & Jerry dreamed of making the world a better, more delicious place—one scoop at a time.

Written by Jill Esbaum
March 2022, Calkins Creek

Bank Street Best Book of the Year

Junior Library Guild Selection

Delaware Diamond Award Winner

Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee

★ "This fast-paced picture book outlines the landmark night flight of pilot James H. 'Jack' Knight (1892–1945), who helped extend the life of the U.S. Air Mail Service by serving as a relay pilot in the first overnight cross-country U.S. airmail delivery. In snappy, climactic prose, Esbaum traces the obstacles Knight encountered, including bodily discomfort and an unavoidable blizzard in Illinois. Innerst’s atmospheric illustrations conjure the rough elements and close quarters in deep blues and cool gray washes, with fluid figures, stamped text, and finely brushed details adding texture. A riveting journey about an undersung aviator."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Written by Peggy Thomas
Astra/Calkins Creek, January 2021

Selected for the 41st NY Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibition

A Junior Library Guild Selection

★… An impeccable book to introduce the figure of Abraham Lincoln …
—School Library Connection (starred review)

Written by Claudia Friddell
Calkins Creek, June 2020

A NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies
Trade Book

A Tablet Magazine Best Jewish Children's
Book of 2020

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“Both the con­cep­tion and the exe­cu­tion of this won­der­ful book are excep­tion­al. Clau­dia Frid­dell and Sta­cy Innerst have ele­vat­ed this impor­tant mes­sage for young read­ers into a pro­found­ly orig­i­nal work of art.”
—Jewish Book Council

★ "In this soaring account, which spans Pulitzer's birth in Hungary to Lady Liberty’s debut in 1886, the author highlights both Pulitzer's rags-to-riches personal success story and his profound idealism: he 'had always loved words. And the word
he loved best was liberty.'“
—Booklist (starred review)

Written by Sue Macy
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books October 1, 2019

"From New York Times Best Illustrated Book artist Stacy Innerst and author Sue Macy comes a story of one man’s heroic effort to save the world’s Yiddish books."

Recipient of the Sydney Taylor Book Award for Younger Readers

ALA Notable Book

Bank Street Best Book of the Year

Parents’ Choice Gold Medal

Junior Library Guild Selection

“Text and illustration meld beautifully.”
—The New York Times

★
“Stunning.”​
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★
“Inspired...[a] journalistic,
propulsive narrative.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★
“The story comes alive through the bold acrylic and gouache art.”
—Booklist (starred review)

Written by Jonah Winter
Abrams, 2017

FOUR STARRED REVIEWS!

“Gently monumental like RBG herself”
- New York Times Book Review

★ “A beautiful example of what
a picture book can be.” 
- Kirkus, Starred Review

NY Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book
An ALA Notable Book
Eric Carle Museum Best Book of the Year
Sydney Taylor Award Notable
Bank Street Best Children’s Book
Booklist Lasting Connections Book 
Tablet Magazine Best Jewish Book
Parents’ Choice Gold Award
ALSC Notable Book
ILA Children's Choices Reading List
ILA Teachers' Choices Reading List
CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Book
Amelia Bloomer selection
Junior Library Guild Selection

Written by Suzanne Slade
Calkins Creek, 2016

Kirkus Prize nominee

Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite
for Picture Book Illustration

Winner of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Paterson Poetry Center

Selected for American Illustration Annual 36

Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibition

Junior Library Guild Selection

★ “Bravo!”— Kirkus, starred review

★ Innerst’s acrylic spreads are almost entirely done in blue and gray tones, with broad brushstrokes, scanned textiles, and paper adding texture; each scene is striking.
—School Library Journal, starred review

★ Slade and Innerst... work beautifully together to create a book that builds to a crescendo just as ‘Rhapsody’ does.
—Booklist, starred review

★…As ‘lively, fun, and different’ as the works the composer wrote.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Written by Peggy Thomas
Calkins Creek, 2015

SCBWI Golden Kite Honor for PB Illustration

Selected by American Illustration Annual 34

Society of Illustrators Original Art selection

Junior Library Guild Selection

CRA Eureka! Silver Medal

Gelett Burgess Award

Kansas Reading Circle

Nebraska FB Book of the Year

Children's Notable Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award

★
“Historical details and illustrations are blended perfectly. Rendered in gouache on paper, the art has a slyly humorous quality, with Innerst adding a hint of Jefferson's distinctive red hair color in the tones and shades on most pages. (The artist also used a quill to hand letter all the quotes.) VERDICT A first purchase.”
—School Library Journal, starred review

BY KATHLEEN KRULL AND PAUL BREWER
HMH, 2013

“Ingeniously illustrated”—Paste magazine

The star atop such quips is Stacy Innerst’s acrylic paintings full of personality, redolent with thick brush strokes, and rich with relevant details. Mr. Innerst … again shows what it means to be in synch with the authors’ intent.—NY Journal of Books

Washington Post Best New Titles

A CLA Notable Book

Flicker Tale Children’s Award

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Written by Tony Johnston
HMH, 2011

★Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

NY Society of Illustrators
Original Art Show selection

Junior Library Guild Selection

★
“A first choice for any collection, this book is worth its weight in denim—or gold.”
— School Library Journal starred review

★
“Using a bright idea of his own, Innerst chronicles the raucous action in acrylics on a canvas of, yes, old Levi Jeans.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review

BY KATHLEEN KRULL AND PAUL BREWER
ILLUSTRATED BY STACY INNERST

HMH, 2010

A Smithsonian Notable Book

"Innerst’s gorgeous, textured paintings, many of them caricatures, are varied and inventive”—Kirkus

★ “Innerst's colorful and unconventional acrylic illustrations cover the entire page and are the perfect complement to both the text and the subject matter ...”
—School Library Journal starred review

★ (A) lighthearted look at Lincoln and the many droll quotations attributed to him."
—Publishers Weekly starred review

BY TONY JOHNSTON
PICTURES BY STACY INNERST
HMH, 2004

Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Award
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show

★ Innerst's (M Is for Music ) antic oil paintings, which picture the Worms standing tall like fingers or curling in graceful esses, recall Barry Root's rocking and reeling imagery for Brave Potatoes , another spirited tale of self-actualization.
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

BY KATHLEEN KRULL
PICTURES BY STACY INNERST

HMH, 2003

A School Library Journal Best Book
Parents’ Choice Gold Award
NY Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

“... Bravura painting. A daub of paint here and a smear there, and voilà, a perfect Louis Armstrong in caricature ...”
—New York Times Book Review

“The stunning, stylized art in this text is music to the eyes as it introduces more than 100 soulful, jazzy, and rockin' words.”
—Chicago Public Library, "Best of the best"

"An imaginative fusion of finely tuned text and inventive illustrations."
—School Library Journal starred review