28 Days Year: 2019

I take strange pride in having the anchor of this month-long celebration of books. Today’s feature is longer than we usually make them. I hope you agree that it’s worth the time it will take to immerse yourself in it. I hope that it will take you back to the essence of why we, all [ Read the full article… ]

I’m thrilled to welcome Oge Mora to the Brown Bookshelf, just weeks after her debut picture book, Thank You, Omu, was named a Caldecott Honor book, an Ezra Jack Keats Award winner, and — woohoo! — a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner! (Yes, I am definitely Kermit the Frog arm-flailing as I [ Read the full article… ]

Love, family, and history are common themes in Charly Palmer’s vibrant works. With bold colors and broad brush strokes, Palmer explores what it means to be Black. Prior to entering the field of children’s publishing, this Atlanta based artist, graphic designer, and illustrator ran a successful design studio. Fortune 500 companies his clientele. In addition, [ Read the full article… ]

Alice Faye Duncan has been creating children’s books for more than two decades. That’s a testament to her faith, hard work and creativity. From Willie Jerome, the tale of a trumpet-playing boy whose sister believes in his talent, to Honey Baby Sugar Child, a mother’s sweet ode to her little one, Alice Faye celebrates and [ Read the full article… ]

Mahogany L. Browne is a California born, Brooklyn based writer, educator, activist, mentor, and curator. She was brought to the attention of many when her ‘Brief but Spectacular’ segment on PBS went viral, but she’d been putting in the work for a long time before that. It’s an honour to welcome her and her empowering and [ Read the full article… ]

I have all the love in the world for all kidlit writers, but there’s always a special tug at my heart at those who maintain a day job in addition to writing. Today’s spotlight author is a member of Team Day job. She also writes in that niche area of new adult – where the [ Read the full article… ]

Today we feature Jamia Wilson, whose illustrated biography Young, Gifted and Black is a book we at The Brown Bookshelf all immediately loved. Jamia is an activist, feminist, and storyteller. She has written for Teen Vogue, Elle, and Refinery 29, among dozens of others. She’s appeared with feminist icons like Gloria Steinem, done a TED [ Read the full article… ]

Writer, director, producer and former NFL wide receiver, Matthew A. Cherry is bursting with talent. Watching viral videos of Black fathers interacting with their children inspired his animated short film project, Hair Love. The sweet video centers and celebrates the relationship between a Black father and daughter and his quest to love on her glorious [ Read the full article… ]