Kwame Alexander
. Renée Watson. Derrick Barnes. Just a few of the outstanding Black children’s book creators we showcased here before they received well-deserved, industry-wide acclaim. Put your thinking caps on. Help us identify under-the-radar and vanguard Black children’s book creators we should consider profiling. Let us know who we should check out so we can give them the praise they’ve earned.
For more than a decade, we have proudly saluted hundreds of authors and illustrators through our signature initiative. But there are so many more who deserve to be featured. We will accept nominations for our 13th annual 28 Days Later campaign, a Black History Month celebration of Black children’s book literature, today through December 15.
Nominate your favorites in the comments section. Anyone can nominate. Publishers may nominate their authors. Authors may self-nominate. You can check out who we’ve featured here. Please note that, due to limited capacity, we do not accept nominations of independently-published authors for 28 Days Later. We do feature indie books and creators at other times throughout the year.
After the submissions window closes, we’ll research the names you’ve submitted and our internal nominations. Then, we’ll choose our next class of 28 Days Later honorees. Mark your calendar for February 1 when the magic starts.
Too often, the work of our authors and illustrators goes unsung. With your support, we can make a difference. Thank you for helping us center and celebrate Black children’s book creators. Remember, nominations close on December 15, so share your thoughts now!
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, illustrator on the rise.
BITTY BROWN BABE, authored by me and illustrated by Keisha Morris, is a board book for ages 0-3 written in rhythmic rhyming verse. It is about a grandparent (or parent, guardian, older sibling, etc.) engaging with a baby in a nurturing atmosphere of comfort and reassurance. Laced through the whimsical words is not only a subtle lesson being taught and learned on facial parts, senses, textures, and phenomena in the natural environment, but equally, there are expressions of positive self-image and bonding occurring as the older and younger characters offer each other their human gifts. The book was published in September of this year and as of today, December 3, 2019, close to 250 copies are in over 30 public libraries nationwide. It is available for purchase online through numerous retailers, and I\’m happy to share that it\’s on the recommended list of at least two bookstores. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading the story of Bitty Brown Babe as much as I enjoyed creating it, and that you\’ll find it worthy of including in your 2020 \”28 Days Later\” Black History Month celebration.
Be well, Deborah LeFalle
Publisher: Beaming Books
ISBN: 978-1-5064-4853-4
Liara Tamani, India Hill, Ekere Tallie
Bitty Brown Babe, by Deborah LeFalle
Deb’s description above informs of the story line. I’ve gifted this book and received
delightful ‘thank you’s’ !
Deb ,a mother and grandmother, dedicated to loving guidance, learning and empowering
self development. Her writing is lyrical and spiritual .
Blessing, My Friend
Paul Davey is a phenomenal illustrator who I think is new to the kids’ book world. (Sauerkraut might be the first kids’ book he illustrated?) I hear he’s illustrating a picture book biography of Bessie Stringfield in the next couple of years, and I’m excited!
I’m writing to nominate and wonderful human being, who cares deeply about education, exploration (geographically and self-discovery), and community service:
Danielle M. Chery – author of Peers, Cheers, and Volunteers.
Alicia Williams; Lisa Moore Ramée; Mariama Lockington; Karen Strong. All début middle grade writers.
Alicia D Williams; Lisa Moore Ramée; Karen Strong; Mariama Lockington. All middle grade 2019 debuts.
Nominating Monique Duncan, author of When Mama Braids My Hair (picture book)
“Follow Me Down to Nicodemus Town by A LaFaye
A wonderful picture book about the black settlers of the prairie town Nicodemus, KS by A LaFaye.
Praline Lady by Kirstie Myvett debuts fall 2020.
Hello. Happy New Year! I am aware of the deadline (I just became aware of this blog); however, I still want to bring attention to my book. 🙂 I am a new author and released my 1st children’s book last year entitled “I Can”. It tells the story of a little girl and the challenges/ fears she faces and how with the influence of her grandmother she overcomes them. Here is a link to my author page on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Miller-Joseph/e/B07SPWZY1Y
Peace & Blessings,
Jennifer Miller-Joseph
“THE INVITATION” written by Lorraine Troy and Published by Kind Kid Publications LLC
“The Invitation” is my first book:
Although I have been a storyteller since my teen years, I was inspired to write this book based on my experience as the hostess of an annual Teddy Bear Tea Party for little girls. So often I hear from the parents of how much the girls look forward to the tea party each year and try to wait patiently to receive their invitation in the mail. This is a sweet story about little, Atti who gets a lesson in patience and faith.
There are many more books on the way full of hope, encouragement and a lesson in each one.
Recommendations for 2021!
[Ahmad] Rashad Doucet, graphic novel artist (and Savannah College of Art & Design professor of Sequential Art)
https://rashaddoucet.artstation.com/
TeMika Grooms, children’s book illustrator
http://www.temikatheartist.com/
Nikki Grimes, author of Bonx Masquerade and other children and young adult books written in verse. Beautifully illustrated.
Lamar Giles – author of YA and Middle Grade Books, and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books
Shaneisha Dodson-The Adventures of Sugamama.
Illustrator Ashleigh Corrin (Layla’s Happiness); author Tricia Elam Walker and illustrator April Harrison (Nana Akua Goes to School); author Marilyn Nelson and illustrator Philemona Williamson (Lubaya’s Quiet Roar); author Aracelis Girmay and author-illustrator Ariana Fields (What Do We Know?)
Grandma’s Purple Flowers written and illustrated by Adjoa J. Burrowes
Published by Lee and Low
A book of hope in difficult times.