Look up the word “prolific” and there has to be a photo of a bright-smiling, Texas-dwelling diva named Angela Shelf-Medearis! Born in Virginia, Medearis called various places home at various times in her childhood, thanks to life with a father who was a recruiter for the Air Force. She settled in Austin, Texas at age [ Read the full article… ]
Sultans, magic, Sinbad and sorcerers! Who can resist? With a perfect title, THE BOOK OF WONDERS, readers will find everything they could want in this mystical, fantasy debut by Jasmine Richards. The Brown Bookshelf is honored to present her in our spotlight on Day 18 of the 28 Days Later Program. Jasmine Richards was born in London, [ Read the full article… ]
My daughter was immediately enchanted by The Diary of B.B. Bright, Possible Princess, big time. From the moment she saw the luminous cover to her nonstop read of the lyrical, lovely tale, she was hooked. And no wonder. This mother-daughter team packs a powerhouse punch. At Vanderbilt University Alice Randall teaches Bedtime in the Briarpatch: [ Read the full article… ]
B. A. Binns is a Chicago Area author who writes stories about “real boys growing into real men,” and finds writing the perfect follow-up to life as an adoptive parent and a cancer survivor. She has authored three realistic, YA books exploring multicultural themes: PULL (2010), DIE TRYING AND OTHER STORIES (2012) and BEING GOD [ Read the full article… ]
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” That’s a truth that Traci L. Jones knows first hand. It was the harshly delivered criticism of a college professor that nearly destroyed the lifelong love Traci had held for the written word as long as she could remember. Nearly. It’s also true that life [ Read the full article… ]
“When you grow up, you must write this down!” Those are the powerful words from Glennette Tilley Turner’s father, and we are so thankful that she listened. Glennette Tilley Turner was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on November 23, 1933. Blessed with strong, educated parents, she graduated high school, and in 1955, went on to earn her B.A. at [ Read the full article… ]
In just a few days, the African American Children’s Book Fair will celebrate its 21st anniversary. Founded by literary publicist and advocate Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, the important festival has grown from a small event at a local department store in Philadelphia to one of the oldest and largest African-American children’s book fairs in the country. Each [ Read the full article… ]
[Updated Dec. 28, 2012] It’s Best-of season! It’s that time of year when review journals, newspapers, and book lovers of all kinds choose the best children’s books in a given year. I love it. Reminds me of Academy Award season in the movie business. Everyone talks about the best movie, actor/actress, director. And then everyone rushes [ Read the full article… ]