I wanted to become a writer after I visited a library for the first time as a child. Books have always provided solace and companionship for me. But I didn’t know how to become a writer or that I even could. I didn’t know anyone who supported themselves as a creative.
28 Days
Day 22: Alex Wheatle
For the past few years, I’ve been raving about the Crongton Knights series — so funny, heartbreaking, relatable, and real. Alex Wheatle writes from the soul, and it shows. In awarding Wheatle the 2016 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, SF Said noted that “Wheatle’s writing is poetic, rhythmic and unique, remaking the English language with tremendous [ Read the full article… ]
Day 21: April Harrison
Today, we celebrate the work and career of illustrator and fine artist April Harrison. In 2019, Harrison took a leap of faith, away from a twenty-five year career in the insurance business, to pursue a full-time career in art. Her focus became children’s book illustration. Her first illustrated book, “What Is Given From The Heart,” [ Read the full article… ]
Day 20: Alice Childress
When I’m writing, characters seem to come alive; they move my pen to action, pushing, pulling, shoving, and intruding. I visualize each scene as if it were part of a living play . . . . I am pleased when readers say that my novels feel like plays, because it means they are very [ Read the full article… ]
Day 19: Nathan Bryon
Day 18: Theanne Griffith, Ph.D.
Who better to write science adventure books for kids than a scientist? Dr. Theanne Griffith blended her love of storytelling with her expertise as a neuroscientist and created something magical – The Magnificent Makers chapter book series illustrated by Reggie Brown and published by Random House. In each installment, friends tackle scientific concepts as well [ Read the full article… ]
Day 17: Nancy Redd
Nancy Redd is an American Library Association award winner, an NAACP Image Award nominee, and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut picture book, Bedtime Bonnet, focuses on Black nighttime hair rituals and was chosen by the American Library Association’s Black Caucus as a “Best of the Best” book for 2020. [ Read the full article… ]
Day 16 – Kaylani Juanita
Kaylani Juanita McCard, professionally known as Kaylani Juanita, is an illustrator. Her work focuses on activism, empowerment of people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. Her work has appeared in publications through Chronicle Books, Cicada Magazine, and Lee & Low Books. Her first illustrated book, Ta-Da! by Kathy Ellen Davis, was released by Chronicle Books and nominated for an Young Readers award via [ Read the full article… ]