I was in my 20s when I received a book that would change my life — Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth. That was my first time seeing an African-American girl on the cover of a picture book. Entranced, I read page after page until I reached the end. Then, I smiled, stroked the cover and read it again. [ Read the full article… ]
It feels surreal to have a day during 28 Days Later. My focus as part of The Brown Bookshelf is to uplift Black children’s book creators who fall under the radar, who have paved the way, who are making a difference. I’m blessed to call many of them friends. I stand on the shoulders of [ Read the full article… ]
If you’re attending AASL, please join us for our Shining the Spotlight program today in Room North 124A from 10:40 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. The BBS team will be represented by Gwendolyn Hooks, Kelly Starling Lyons, Tameka Fryer Brown and Crystal Allen. Following the session, Crystal will sign at booth 223 from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. [ Read the full article… ]
Each year, the African American Children’s Book Fair shows the beauty of books for kids made by black authors and illustrators. Saturday marks the 23rd annual event. Held at the Community College of Philadelphia, thousands will stream through the gymnasium from 1-3 p.m. for a chance to buy books and meet acclaimed children’s book creators. It’s a free event, full [ Read the full article… ]
By Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich In addition to the excitement and apprehension about tests, read alouds, and recess, there was tension as the school year got underway in many cities and educators wondered if and how to address the police killing of unarmed teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and the civil unrest that followed. Do [ Read the full article… ]
The Journey I still remember the book that called me to write for children — Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Looking at that sweet cover of a smiling girl with the same kind of pigtails I used to wear moved me. I was an adult and that was my first time seeing [ Read the full article… ]
As promised, in honor of National Day On Writing, the BBS family shares why we write for the kiddies and teens. WHY I WRITE by Tameka Fryer Brown Author of Around Our Way (PB) I write to express my thoughts, my feelings, my beliefs— Poignant or not, Sleeve-worn or not, Endorsed by the general masses [ Read the full article… ]
The Brown Bookshelf Announces 2011 Spotlight Authors & Illustrators Today, The Brown Bookshelf announced the twenty-four authors and four illustrators to be spotlighted in the group’s fourth annual 28 Days Later initiative, a month-long celebration of veteran and emerging children’s authors of color. “Four years in and spotlighting authors of color is as important as ever,” said [ Read the full article… ]
