More than two decades ago, Wade and Cheryl Hudson began creating stories for kids that spoke to African-American heritage and experiences. One, the AFRO-BETS ABC Book, celebrated the alphabet and affirmed Black children like their own. When a publisher told them there was no market for such a book, the Hudsons knew what they had to do [ Read the full article… ]
28 Days
Day 5: Renée Watson
Renée Watson is an actress, poet, and author of the children’s picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (Random House, 2010), which was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Her middle grade novel, What Momma Left Me (Bloomsbury, 2010), earned her recognition as the New Voice for 2010 in middle grade fiction by The Independent Children’s Booksellers Association. When [ Read the full article… ]
Hope Anita Smith
Hope Anita Smith is the author of three lovely, compelling, and highly acclaimed books for young readers: MOTHER, THE WAY A DOOR CLOSES, and her most recent, KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH. In KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH, “so many unanswered questions weigh down thirteen-year-old C.J. as he struggles to understand why his father walked out. His [ Read the full article… ]
Day 3: Toyomi Igus
From exploring her rich experience of having a mother and grandmother from two different cultures to celebrating the roots and rhythms of gospel music, Toyomi Igus infuses her work with meaning. A former editor and publications director for UCLA’s Center for African-American Studies, Igus has been writing for kids since the early ’90s. Her mission as a children’s book author is to “generate work that [ Read the full article… ]
Day 2: Randy DuBurke
Randy DuBurke began his art career at the age of 6, drawing pictures of Batman and Star Trek. When he grew up, he became a fine artist and commercial illustrator, drawing pictures of—you guessed it—comic book characters! Among comics fans, Randy is best known for his works with D.C. and Marvel comics, and notably for [ Read the full article… ]
Day 1: Ebony Joy Wilkins
For the first year, in BBS’ short history, there were more YA authors submitted than any other children’s sub-genre. For our regular visitors and for YA authors of color this is a BIG deal. Four years ago we had to beg, borrow and make-up YA authors. I’m just kidding about that last thing. But we [ Read the full article… ]
Charles R. Smith, Jr.
“This was my first book and it came about by accident,” says Charles R. Smith, Jr. regarding his first book for children, Rimshots: Basketball Pix, Rolls and Rhythms (Dutton, 1999). In the years that have followed this work of happenstance, Smith has written, or photo-illustrated (or both!) more than 20 titles for young readers, including: Hoop [ Read the full article… ]
Denene Millner & Mitzi Miller
After a crisis of the computer, I’m proud to present (albeit a bit late) two authors who came onto the YA scene with a series that epitomizes a slice of African American life that’s yet to be showcased on a consistent basis. Denene Millner & Mitzi Miller hit the scene with the Hotlanta series in [ Read the full article… ]