What is a purveyor of awesomeness? If you saw one walking down the street would you know? Let me help you out. Just look at the picture to the left. When you write novels about butt-kicking females with a Greek mythology backdrop, you can put “Purveyor of Awesomeness” on your website next to your [ Read the full article… ]
28 Days
Day 23: Jerry Craft
By Jerry Craft I published my first book back in 1997. Since then I have written and / or illustrated more than a dozen others. I think the reason why I’ve dedicated my life to get kids to read is because I went through most of my life not enjoying reading whatsoever. In fact, whoever [ Read the full article… ]
Day 22: Lucille Clifton
“Poetry is a matter of life, not just a matter of language” – Lucille Clifton Every year, people create lists of classic children’s titles. A celebrated poet who wrote more than 20 books for kids, Lucille Clifton’s work should be included. Her eight book Everett Anderson picture book series broke ground for its portrayal of an African-American boy in the city whose experiences ranged [ Read the full article… ]
DAY 21: K’NAAN
When I get older, I will be stronger, They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag… Born to a throne, stronger than Rome But violent prone, poor people zone, But it’s my home, all I have known, Where I got grown, streets we would roam. But out of the darkness, I came the farthest, [ Read the full article… ]
DAY 20: MILDRED PITTS WALTER
“We are an oral people. We are innately oral people. That is why we are such great storytellers.” Mildred Pitts Walter Have you ever met someone who you know has the ability to provide real answers to history through their life experiences instead of what’s been relayed in history books? And, if you had an opportunity to sit at [ Read the full article… ]
Day 19: C. Taylor-Butler
The Power of Perseverance, by C. Taylor-Butler The Inspiration for the Story I’m a child of science fiction.I grew up on Star Trek, Lost in Space, The Twilight Zone, and Outer Limits. I buried my head in Alfred Hitchcock anthologies and Ray Bradbury stories. I was the weird nerd kid who loved math, science and [ Read the full article… ]
DAY 18: Misty Copeland
Children’s literature scholar Rudine Sims Bishop says that books have the power to be mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors. Firebird (Putnam, 2014), the award-winning picture book written by American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers, is a beautiful celebration of that truth. In her children’s book debut, Misty shares the touching story of [ Read the full article… ]
Day 17 Betty K. Bynum
Betty K. Bynum is a woman who dreams big. Plans big. Achieves big. Her dreams of acting resulted in parts in ER, Law & Order, and Death At A Funeral. She is also a journalist, a screenwriter, and a playwright. One day, Betty recognized the lack of diverse books featuring children of color. So she [ Read the full article… ]