28 Days

Combining her talents as an editor, journalist, and photographer, Linda Tarrant-Reid created one of the most powerful compilations of African American History with Discovering Black America.  Her experience includes being managing editor of The Million Man March, contributor and researcher of The Family of Black America, co-editor of Black Star Power: BET Celebrating 20 years [ Read the full article… ]

Look up the word “prolific” and there has to be a photo of a bright-smiling, Texas-dwelling diva named Angela Shelf-Medearis! Born in Virginia, Medearis called various places home at various times in her childhood, thanks to life with a father who was a recruiter for the Air Force. She settled in Austin, Texas at age [ Read the full article… ]

Artist-illustrator Daniel Minter comes to us hot off the heels of winning a 2013 Coretta Scott King honor for his illustrations in the book Ellen’s Broom, written by Kelly Starling Lyons. Minter has mastered both fine and commercial art. He creates his art using canvas, wood, metal, paper . . . the list goes on . . [ Read the full article… ]

From her bio at Simon & Schuster: Nalo Hopkinson is the award-winning author of numerous novels and short stories for adults. She was born in Jamaica, and lived in Trinidad and Guyana before moving to Canada at sixteen. Her novels, such as Brown Girl in the Ring and The Salt Roads, and other writing often [ Read the full article… ]

Honestly, today’s honoree needs no introduction. We’re already fans of the beloved Ashley Bryan, aren’t we? Known for his extraordinary range and depth of talent, Bryan uses paint, poetry, music, and collage to tell his popular stories. Born in Harlem, New York, and raised in the Bronx, Bryan describes his childhood as “an idyllic time, full of art [ Read the full article… ]

The Children’s Book Council once identified James E. Ransome as “one of the 75 authors and illustrators everyone should know”…and we agree. The Coretta Scott King Illustration Award winner and oft co-collaborator with wife, Lesa Cline-Ransome, is known for creating stunning art for popular picture books such as Uncle Jed’s Barbershop (Simon & Schuster), Visiting [ Read the full article… ]

Sultans, magic, Sinbad and sorcerers!  Who can resist?  With a perfect title, THE BOOK OF WONDERS, readers will find everything they could want in this mystical, fantasy debut by Jasmine Richards.  The Brown Bookshelf is honored to present her in our spotlight on Day 18 of the 28 Days Later Program. Jasmine Richards was born in London, [ Read the full article… ]

Arna Wendell Bontemps was an award winning author born in 1902 in Alexandria, Louisiana. When he was four, his family moved to southern California. He loved books and read everything even if his minister father didn’t approve. Entering and winning a poetry contest after graduating from Pacific Union College in 1923, inspired him to move to [ Read the full article… ]