Two years ago on social networks, librarian Elizabeth Bird suggested that someone write a biography on Jerry Lawson—the self-taught engineer known as the “father of modern video gaming.” Back in the 70s, Lawson successfully lead the team of engineers who developed the first interchangeable video game cartridge (recently featured on Google). I hadn’t heard of [ Read the full article… ]
Category: General
The Season of Black Boy Books – Best of 2022
Looking for outstanding children’s books featuring Black boys? Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati has you covered. Check out her guest post and list. From board books to young adult novels, she gives us wonderful titles by Black authors to read and share. By Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati, Founder of The African American Children’s Project In 2022, books [ Read the full article… ]
Tameka Fryer Brown is Not Done Yet (And I’m So Glad)
Award-winning picture book author and BBS fam Tameka Fryer Brown is well known for her lyrical and spare but gorgeously poetic prose. From her early Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day and My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood, to the more recent Brown Baby Lullaby and Twelve Dinging Doorbells, Tameka’s words are truly music [ Read the full article… ]
Something Very Special
Today, the Brown Bookshelf is thrilled to celebrate the release of Desiree Cooper’s NOTHING SPECIAL, her picture book debut! “Nothing Special is…about a Detroit boy named Jax, who travels to Virginia to spend time with his grandparents. He thinks he’s going to do all the city things he loves, but his PopPop has other ideas,” [ Read the full article… ]
Why Juneteenth Matters
Last year, our friend Torrey Maldonado came up with a great idea – helping kids understand what Juneteenth means by sharing the reflections of Black children’s book creators. We’re thrilled that he’s back showcasing even more voices. The first federal holiday created since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery. [ Read the full article… ]
Congratulations to the 15th Class of 28 Days Later Honorees!
It’s our favorite time of year! We are proud to announce the honorees of our 15th annual 28 Days Later campaign, a Black History Month celebration of outstanding Black children’s book creators. Each day during February, we will showcase an author or illustrator whose work reflects parts of who we are. It’s more important than [ Read the full article… ]
Generations Book Club: Let’s Celebrate Food, Family, and Culture
I live in Austin, Texas; my family is spread out all over the country. Due to Covid-19, it’s been two long years since we’ve been able to gather. I miss family reunion barbecues and soul food Sundays. I miss family Kwanzaa celebrations observed during the week following Christmas. And I miss the feasts my mother-in-law [ Read the full article… ]
The African American Children’s Book Project’s Best Picture Books of 2021
Looking for outstanding picture books by Black creators? Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, founder of the African American Children’s Book Project, shared her best picture books of 2021. All are available for purchase at her Bookshop site, The Literary Cafe. Save the date for the 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair – Saturday, February 5 from 10 [ Read the full article… ]