Author: Kelly Starling Lyons

As summer nears, so does vacation season. That may mean trips to the beach or amusement parks or time visiting out-of-state family and friends. I gained new appreciation for that freedom to travel and find places to stop, eat and sleep when I read Ruth & the Green Book, a poignant picture book written by playwright and debut children’s book author [ Read the full article… ]

I saw this book at a local indie bookstore and immediately connected with the  beautiful words and images. What’s Special About Me Mama? written by Kristina Evans and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe is a tender story showcasing a mother’s love for her son. As the boy asks over and over what makes him special, his mama never [ Read the full article… ]

Every day a good book comes into the world is a day to rejoice. But today, the launch of the debut picture book by our very own Tameka Fryer Brown, makes it even more sweet. Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day (Abrams, 2010), illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb, is a celebration of a girl’s love for [ Read the full article… ]

This post has been revised at the request of the author. His statement is below. Thank you for your support: I just wanted to take the time out to thank every single person that has supported the Ruby and the Booker Boys series since the release of the first two books two years ago. I want to [ Read the full article… ]

Nearly two decades ago, 250 people braved the cold to attend the first African American Children’s Book Fair at John Wanamaker Department Store in Philadelphia. Year after year, word spread and enthusiasm for the celebration grew. Today, the book fair, held in the gymnasium of the Community College of Philadelphia, attracts thousands. In fact, not only is it one of the oldest single-day events [ Read the full article… ]

Yesterday, unimaginable devastation struck Haiti. Homes collapsed. Schools crumbled. Dreams exploded into dust. According to a CNN.com article, the powerful earthquake affected about three million people — one third of Haiti’s population. The Prime Minister said thousands, maybe even 100,000 or more, are feared to be dead. That’s mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers, grandparents, friends. Here’s [ Read the full article… ]

Feel that excitement in the air. It’s that time again. Get ready for the children’s literature awards. The NAACP Image Award nominees were just announced. Congratulations to everyone who made the list!  Here are the children’s and teen literature nominees: Outstanding Literary Work – Children “Child of the Civil Rights Movement” – Paula Young Shelton (Random House Children’s Books) “Negro Speaks [ Read the full article… ]

Happy New Year! Thank you for supporting our site. Today is a special day for one of our own, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. Today, her novel, 8th Grade Superzero (Arthur A. Levine, 2010), debuts. Yeah! Woohoo!  Already, it’s winning accolades. Check out the starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Rhuday-Perkovich delivers a masterful debut, telling a layered middle-school tale filled [ Read the full article… ]