Just wanted to thank everyone for the fantastic nominations! So excited to learn about new authors and illustrators. We look forward to celebrating our new class of 28 Days Later honorees in February.  We appreciate your support. Also, we have some happy news: The Brown Bookshelf has been named a Great Website for Kids by a [ Read the full article… ]

Get ready to rep your favorites. It’s that time. The submissions window has officially opened for the sixth annual 28 Days Later campaign, a Black History Month celebration of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels written and illustrated by African Americans. We will take nominations today through November 2. Over the past five [ Read the full article… ]

  Don’t forget, the deadline for entering the New Voices Award and the New Visions Award is just around the corner. New Voices is an award given for picture books written by writers of color. The deadline is September 30. New visions is an award given for middle grade and young adult science fiction, fantasy, and mystery manuscripts [ Read the full article… ]

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads and father-figures. Reposting a list of picture books that celebrate these great men. Please share your favorite books about dads of color in the comments. Thank you: Too often, we just hear stories about dads who aren’t there. But there are so many fathers who are. They are [ Read the full article… ]

It’s time to pull out the shades and the sunscreen (yes, the sunscreen) and get ready for all things summer! While planning days filled with travel and play and surfside fun, do not forget the most important summertime accessory of all: a good book. As always, The Brown Bookshelf is here to help you stay [ Read the full article… ]

Here are some chapter books and middle grade titles written by black authors of various cultures.  This diverse list includes something of interest for every kind of reader!   NEWER TITLES (2010-2012) “Anna Hibiscus” Series Author:  Atinuke Publisher:  Walker (2011) Genre:  CB   No. 1 Car Spotter Author:  Atinuke Publisher:  Walker (2010) Genre:  CB   [ Read the full article… ]

Finally, here are some young adult titles that we at the BBS have either read or plan on reading this summer. Check them out yourself–and be sure to share this list with all the teens in your world.   NEWER TITLES (2010-2012) Chameleon Author:  Charles R. Smith, Jr. Publisher:  Candlewick Press (2010) Genre:  YA   [ Read the full article… ]

Last week, Kelly Starling Lyons and I took the Brown Bookshelf on the road. We presented a program at the International Reading Association conference, Windows to the Past: Using Nonfiction and Historical Fiction Picture Books to Teach Black History. It was a bit hit. Kelly discussed her books and what inspires her stories. And she offered great tips for using picture [ Read the full article… ]