Yesterday, The American Library Association announced the 2009 Youth Media Award winners. There was much to be excited about, so much to celebrate. But I was most thrilled with the recipient of the John Steptoe Award, given by the Coretta Scott King Task Force. This award is given to affirm African American writers and illustrators [ Read the full article… ]
The First Annual African American Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference will take place on April 25, 2009. Speakers and faculty: Sarah Ketchersid—Senior Editor, Candlewick Press Eileen Robinson—Children’s book editor, editorial consultant and creator of F1rst Pages. For almost 10 years, she has acquired, developed, and edited children’s books for both Scholastic as Executive Editor, [ Read the full article… ]
The Brown Bookshelf Announces 2009 Spotlight Authors & Illustrators The Brown Bookshelf, today, announced the twenty-four authors and four illustrators to be spotlighted in the groups’ second annual 28 Days Later initiative, a month-long celebration of veteran and emerging children’s authors of color. “Spotlighting these authors is like giving a big gift to the readers [ Read the full article… ]
Brown Bookshelf Opens Submissions for 2009 28 Days Later Campaign When The Brown Bookshelf (BBS), a website designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers, launched last Fall, the founders knew they were filling a void. But the authors, Varian Johnson, Paula Chase, Carla Sarratt, and Kelly Starling [ Read the full article… ]
Co-ed Author Team Works to Highlight African American Children’s Authors (Severna Park , MD ) YA authors, Paula Chase and Varian Johnson have never met in person. One lives in Maryland, the other in Texas. One is a spokesperson for a small city government, the other designs bridges. But they share two things in common: [ Read the full article… ]
“You had me at hello!” That’s what I said to Paula on 9.19.07 when she sent me an e-mail asking me to consider an invitation to join The Brown Bookshelf. Honestly, there was never anything to consider. I knew from conversations with Paula that she would not be a part of anything that would be [ Read the full article… ]
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… ]
Bernard K. Mensah is a Senior Software Engineering Manager and an award-nominated children’s book author whose stories celebrate African culture and authentic experiences through a child’s lens. Born and raised in Ghana, Bernard now lives in the UK with his two sons—the inspiration behind every story he writes. His debut picture book, Esi the Brave (Who Was [ Read the full article… ]
