Van G. Garrett is the author of Kicks, his debut picture book, Juneteenth, and Specs. An acclaimed poet, he won the Poetry Question National Chapbook Contest for Scrap and the Best Book of African American Poetry from the Texas Association of Authors for 49: Wings and Prayers.
Source: Day 8: Van G. Garrett
Marti Dumas is a mom, teacher, and creative entrepreneur from New Orleans. An expert in childhood literacy, Marti has worked with children and teachers across the country for the last 15 years to promote an early love of reading both in and out of the classroom. Her best-selling Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest series combines literacy with STEM skills, and humor, and adds much-needed diversity to the children’s chapter book landscape. Her series, The Secret [ Read the full article… ]
Source: Day 7: Marti Dumas
I first met Rob as a fellow-Bay Area (CA) creative, and quickly came to admire his boundless energy and unwavering commitment to his community. He has worked with other Bay Area children’s book creators to organize the Social Justice Children’s Book Fair in Oakland, California– an annual book fair, held in December and designed to connect local children with diverse books, authors, and illustrators.
Source: Day 6: Robert Liu-Trujillo
Anne Wynter is the author of multiple board books and picture books, including So Many Years, Everybody in the Red Brick Building, Patrick and the Not So Perfect Party, and Nell Plants a Tree, which won the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Golden Kite Award and was selected as the 2023 Texas Great Read. [ Read the full article… ]
Source: Day 5: Anne Wynter
My journey to publishing King of the Neuroverse was largely a result of fortunate timing and strong collaboration. I had mentioned to my agent that I was interested in writing a young adult novel rooted in my lived experience with ADHD. After I shared a few sample chapters, we developed the materials together and proposed the book. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, and once the project was underway, the book poured out of me quickly.
Source: Day 4: Idris Goodwin
With eight published picture books on the shelves and counting illustrator Jenin Mohammed is as prolific as she is talented. We are thrilled to celebrate her as our Day 3 honoree! The Journey: My Path to Publishing My path to publishing started as early as high school. I knew I wanted to be an artist [ Read the full article… ]
Source: Day 3: Jenin Mohammed
Our Day 2 honoree is dedicated educator and author Pamela Courtney. With nearly three decades as an early childhood practitioner and elementary school teacher, Pam brings the eyes of an educator to each narrative she crafts. “My duty is great,” states Pam. “I’m a writer who teaches. I’m a teacher who writes.” Pam’s Louisiana upbringing [ Read the full article… ]
Source: Day 2: Pamela Courtney
This year, it is our pleasure to begin this month-long celebration by featuring Virginia Hamilton, whose the life and works have influenced so many over the years. Her career, in fact, spans generations, and includes the first Newbery Award ever won by an author of color.
Source: Day 1: Virginia Hamilton
In a few short days, the calendar will roll over to February. Many will actively seek to stock pile knowledge and materials on all things Black History. While it’s indeed a time to be more proactively mindful of our history, it’s also a time to re-commit to consuming work by Black creatives on any day [ Read the full article… ]
Tanisia “Tee” Moore ain’t just your average storyteller—she’s the heartbeat of African American narratives, lovingly dubbed “your family’s favorite author.” Whether she’s crafting tales for the young under her own name or diving into adult contemporary romance as Nisia Roye, Tee’s stories are woven with the rich tapestry of Black culture and life lessons that [ Read the full article… ]
Source: Day 28: Tanisia “Tee” Moore
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