When I first heard that less than two percent of children’s books published last year were written by African American authors, I was shocked. I felt blessed to be a published, black children’s book author, but saddened there were still so few of us in print. Sometimes we’re faced with big issues and it feels [ Read the full article… ]
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Change begins in my own backyard
When Varian first explained to me the concept behind the Brown Bookshelf — to highlight other African American writers and illustrators of children’s literature — I was ecstatic. Chills rolled down my back as I read his invitation to serve as a committee member. I don’t say that for dramatic flair, I really had goosebumps. [ Read the full article… ]
Talk to us, giveaway
Listen, I have a signed copy of Little Red Riding Hood, by Jerry Pinkney. Got my copy this weekend while attending the Texas Book Festival. Now, let me establish something at the get-go: I like comments. If ya’ll aren’t talking to me, I’m going to assume you either don’t like me, or…well, that you don’t [ Read the full article… ]
First Call For Submissions
In order for us to present the best voices of color in children’s literature we need you, the readers, librarians, parents of young readers, teachers and booksellers to tell us – who are the voices who have gotten lost in the shuffle, what works of veteran children’s authors of color have gone unnoticed, and what [ Read the full article… ]
Why the Brown Bookshelf?
While speaking at a predominately African-American high school a few years ago, I asked the students to name some of their favorite books. I expected the students to name novels by some of my favorite YA authors—perhaps Walter Dean Myers, Jacqueline Woodson, or Virginia Hamilton. Instead, the students named authors such as Eric Jerome Dickey [ Read the full article… ]
Herstory…Ourstory
The old saying, “if you want something done, ask the busiest person in the room to do it” has become somewhat of a lifestyle for me, starring me as the busiest person in the room. Note: This is not a boast! I could honestly, use a good lesson in saying no. But when Varian emailed [ Read the full article… ]