MAISHA OSO is the author of Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence, My Hair is a
Book, and Buster the Bully. She writes stories to empower, entertain, and encourage emotional
intelligence in young children. Her books have received multiple starred reviews, been named as
best books of the year, and even been nominated for the prestigious NAACP image award.
A former strategy and analytics professional from New York City, Maisha is currently working in
her most challenging role to date: a stay-at-home mom of three tiny humans. When she’s not
writing, you can find her wrangling her kids, binge-watching an unhealthy amount of reality
television, or belting out lyrics from the Hamilton soundtrack. After living abroad for several
years in Africa, Maisha and her family have recently moved back stateside to Georgia.
The Journey: My Path to Publishing
My path to publishing was not a traditional one. I studied business and computers in college, going on to earn a Masters in Information Systems. After that, I worked in strategy and analytics roles for a decade. But my life was turned upside down when my husband got a new job based in Africa. We left the United States and moved to Nairobi, Kenya, and later to Johannesburg, South Africa. I struggled leaving my career behind, unaware that this would be a start of a brand-new career.
I became a mother during my time living abroad. And as my children grew, I began reading to them. Storytime was a special time that brought so much joy into our home. At some point I sought out to write my own stories for them. And then for children like them. I joined South Africa’s SCBWI chapter and online critique groups, and before I knew it, writing went from being a hobby to a second career.
The Inspiration: Who/What Inspired Me
I am inspired by everything, but for my stories of empowerment like Before the Ships and My
Hair is a Book, personal experience has been the key driver. In the case of Before the Ships, the story had been brewing inside me for decades. I was still a young girl when I realized that school lessons in Black History primarily focused on the Civil War or Civil Rights movement, and invariable began with slavery.
We never discussed who these people were or what they did prior to the slave trade. I wondered about the impact of teaching young children their history beginning with a painful chapter like slavery. While I was struggling with this in school, at home my father was telling me a different story. He told me there were kings and queens…in Africa. I was overwhelmed with a of wonder and pride. I wanted to write something that screamed “Black History Does NOT begin with slavery,” allowing children today to experience the same wonder and pride I felt so many years ago.
In the case of My Hair is a Book, it was my daughter who prompted me to write the story. She began expressing negative feelings about her hair at the young age of three. She wanted her hair to be longer, straighter, different than how it was. In addition to reassuring her that her hair was beautiful, I wanted to create an unapologetic anthem celebrating the uniqueness and beauty of Black hair for my daughter and children like her. To this day, personal experiences continue to inspire me to write the stories I needed as a child or the ones my children need now.
THE BUZZ: Reviews and Media Links
Before The Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence Book (Written by Maisha Oso, Illustrated by
Candice Bradley)
“In an insightful picture book, Oso (Buster the Bully) offers an empowering portrait of African
peoples “before the ships” … It’s an apt, affirming history that connects readers to ancestors
while underlining how “Black lives have always mattered.” —Publishers Weekly(starred review)
“A celebration of Pan-African achievement that spans much of the continent and its pre-colonial
history… A beautifully bold dedication to Black greatness.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This lyrical and reaffirming picture book seeks to give young readers a sense of Black history
far beyond the limits of standard school curricula that start with the slave trade and concentrate
on African interactions with Westerners… an accessible and fresh perspective and should be
considered for most collections.” — Booklist (starred review)
Additional Recognition
- Amazon Best Books of 2024
- Booklist Best Books of 2024
- CSMCL Best Books of 2024
- ALSC Notable Book of 2024
My Hair is A Book (Written by Maisha Oso, Illustrated by London Ladd)
“Oso’s metaphors illustrate how Black hair tells the story of those who wear it; hair announces
its wearer’s beauty to the world, be it cornrowed, locked, twisted, or curled… A stellar work that
belongs in every collection serving young people.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“An outstanding collaboration has created a title that will be shared by all. Filled with extraordinary art, this picture book is a necessary addition to shelves on culture, image-positivity, and SEL, in a wonderful ode to the beauty of Black hair.”— School Library Journal
(starred review)
“A joyful affirmation of identity and heritage, honoring the beauty and diversity of Black hair.”
— Horn Book Magazine
Additional Recognition
- New York Public Library Best Books of 2024
- CSMCL Best Books of 2024
- NAACP Image Award nomination
Under the Radar
Wow! There are so many. But a few of my favorites with books out are:
- Janelle Harper – My Block Looks Like
- Monique Duncan – Freedom Braids
- RaQia Lowo – Weekend and Zay Saturday School
- Nadia Fisher (Illustrator) – I Am the Spirit of Justice
Find out more about Maisha on her website: https://www.maishaoso.com/
Social Media Handles: @maishawrites (Instagram, Twitter/X)