When I think about transformative Black children’s literature, The Skin I’m In (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion) is always on the list. This Coretta Scott King Award-winning debut novel by Sharon G. Flake was published 20 years ago and continues to make a difference in the lives of people around the world. Exploring themes like colorism, [ Read the full article… ]
Category: General
Just Us Books Turns 30: A Special Interview
This month marks the 30th anniversary of Just Us Books. Founded by Wade and Cheryl Hudson, this ground-breaking company not only showed that Black children’s books were being overlooked, but that publishers were missing out on bestsellers. Their debut title, AFRO-BETS ABC Book, sold more than 5,000 copies in three months. From its beginning, Just [ Read the full article… ]
How You Like Us Now?
No need to be coy, it’s pretty obvious your favorite lit site for kid books by Black creatives has had a face lift. And I must say, the old girl looks good. Collaborative book efforts, like the Brown Bookshelf, are labors of love. We’re grateful for every eyeball that scans our posts and every individual [ Read the full article… ]
Check Your Respect
I’ve never understood how people can cheer for adults playing professional sports and still form their mouths to question why someone would pursue the creative arts professionally. Athletes literally play a game for a living, but we question dancers? Artists? Writers? Has capitalism gotten us so twisted that we only covet careers that bring us [ Read the full article… ]
Celebrating Our Voices: 28 Days Later Honorees
We are proud to announce the honorees for our 11th annual 28 Days Later campaign, a Black History Month celebration of outstanding 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 ever to raise awareness and support books [ Read the full article… ]
So, what DO y’all want?
Some days I feel like the old school griot of The Brown Bookshelf whose only job is to remind folks of the origins. You know? I’m here to remind folks where we started and compare it to where we’ve come. So, in that spirit, I got to thinking that maybe behind-the-scenes publishing is saying of [ Read the full article… ]
Voices of Change: A Teen Reflects on Freedom
Freedom By JGL, 13 What’s the use of freedom, if we’re not really free You say all religions will be treated equally Don’t ostracize Muslims, let them be What’s the use of freedom, if we’re not really free Our president doesn’t support free press, it may be gone soon Forthright writing is only found once [ Read the full article… ]
Shining the Spotlight: The Brown Bookshelf Salutes Great Books for Kids
If you’re attending AASL, please join us for our Shining the Spotlight program today in Room North 124A from 10:40 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. The BBS team will be represented by Gwendolyn Hooks, Kelly Starling Lyons, Tameka Fryer Brown and Crystal Allen. Following the session, Crystal will sign at booth 223 from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. [ Read the full article… ]