This week, the Zhou brothers launch their picture book biography; Olivia A. Cole speaks up about speaking out; Kevin Sherry, Jess Keating, and Katy Farina participate in a Graphix Zoom panel; and Little Free Library and Literati team up for a literary collaboration.

Superfly Guys

Last Friday evening, September 4, the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago hosted a masked reception in celebration of the launch of Flying Paintings: The Zhou Brothers, A Revolution of Story and Art (Candlewick) by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by ShanZuo Zhou and DaHuang Zhou. The picture book biography centers the internationally acclaimed multimedia artists’ childhood and features paintings by the Zhou brothers themselves. Pictured here (from l.): DaHuang Zhoushi; Suzy Takacs, owner of local indie The Book Cellar; and ShanZuo Zhoushi.

You’re Gonna Hear Me Roar

Over Labor Day weekend, Olivia A. Cole (pictured r.) had a virtual storytime at Read It Again Books in Suwanee, Ga., where she read her picture book debut, Time to Roar (Bloomsbury). Cole discussed the transition from writing YA to picture books, the necessity for children to find their voices and stand up for what they believe in, and how society should listen to the youth.

Grand Graphix

On September 1, Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., hosted “Graphic Novel Gala,” a digital conversation about graphic novels for readers aged 7–10 with Graphix creators Kevin Sherry (Squidding Around #1: Fish Feud), Jess Keating (Bunbun & Bonbon #1: Fancy Friends), and Katy Farina (Baby-Sitters Little Sister #2: Karen’s Roller Skates). Rochelle Menendez, a bilingual certified teacher-librarian (Mesquite, Tex.), served as moderator. After a q&a, the artists conducted a live drawing exercise (pictured).

A Lit Alliance

Five new Literati-branded Little Free Libraries, painted in Literati’s signature teal and containing children’s books, will soon be found in under-represented communities in Austin, Tex., thanks to a partnership between Little Free Library and Literati. Subscribers of the book club company are also donating gently used books on a quarterly basis to 10 established Austin-area Little Free Libraries. One of the cosponsored libraries has already been installed in central Austin; the other four will be set up this autumn. Following the completion of the Austin pilot project, LFL and Literati aim to take the program nationwide.