Several years ago, my oldest daughter surprised me with an illustrated book she created. Carefully stapled together she put into words and graphics her answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries. Later that school year she was given an award by her teacher in recognition for her creativity. She had become an author/illustrator. I was [ 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… ]

Download

  Rally Cry For Reading 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 [ Read the full article… ]

Author and blogger, Kyra Hicks, offers predictions for the 2010 Coretta Scott King Awards.

Each year, awards are given to authors and illustrators of outstanding children’s books,  Newbery, Caldecott, Siebert, Coretta, among them. And each year about this time, people try to predict who might win those awards. Some in the kidlitosphere have noted a lack of interest in discussions of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards by holding [ Read the full article… ]