I’m doing a new thing.
To grow and be better.
A YouTube series of conversations called TEE TALK.
Laughter, wisdom, and realness galore.
I hope you’ll ride with me on this journey.
TEE TALK premieres on March 1. Check it out!
New Stuff
Brown Baby Lullaby Activity Guide
Brown Baby Lullaby is a finalist for the 2021 Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award!
I am supremely honored that out of fifty nominees, Brown Baby Lullaby was one of five titles that made it to the final stage. The winner will be announced in early August. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed till then.
In the meantime, the folks at the Indiana Center for the Book have created THE MOST FABULOUS activity guide for BBL! I’m sharing it here with their permission.
Enjoy!
And the award goes to…
…Brown Baby Lullaby– winner of the 2021 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award!
I am still over the moon that Brown Baby Lullaby is the recipient of this year’s Dewdney Award! On May 7th, illustrator AG Ford and I did a reading/drawing/in conversation event to celebrate this magnificent honor.
Thanks to Every Child a Reader, the Children’s Book Council, and Penguin Young Readers for sponsoring this most meaningful award. Thanks to Team BBL–AG Ford, Joy Peskin, Monique Sterling, Marietta Zacker, and Steven Malk–for bringing this beautiful family to life. A very special thanks to all the librarians, educators, booksellers, parents, and caregivers who voted for Brown Baby Lullaby!
Shout out to all the individuals behind each stellar honor book. You can find out who they are and read more about the Anna Dewdney Read Together award here.
Heart Stories
I always advise aspiring writers to pen the stories of their hearts. And while I try to follow this advice for every story I write, I think this one might be the most heartfelt of all.
New Book on the Way
The cat is finally out of the bag! I am excited to announce my upcoming book project with Millbrook Press…Shirley Chisholm: Not Done Yet. It will be illustrated by the incredibly talented Nina Crews.
This will be my first picture book biography; I’m already excited to share it with you. :))
Thank you, Parents Latina!
Thank you Parents Latina, librarians, and kid judges for recommending Brown Baby Lullaby as one of the Best Latino Children’s Books of 2020!
Read In Color!
Everyone should be able to see themselves in the pages of a book!
Read in Color, a new initiative from Little Free Library, brings diverse books to neighborhoods everywhere.
Learn more details here and sign the Read in Color pledge here!
NPR Approved!
BROWN BABY LULLABY has been named one of NPR’s 100 Favorite Books for Young Readers!
I am honored and excited to have a book included on this list of phenomenal titles. Thank you, readers, judges, and NPR!
Reading for Change
As a children’s book author, my goal is to plant seeds that will one day bear fruit in hearts and minds. When I see images like these, I feel hopeful about succeeding.
I’m writing for change. Is your family reading for change?
Brown Baby Lullaby is a Generations Book Club Pick!
The Brown Bookshelf has established a new summer reading program called Generations Book Club. It is their new initiative designed to “inspire and empower readers of all ages.”
I’m honored to share that BROWN BABY LULLABY is a Generations Book Club Culture & Community picture book selection!
All titles are available for purchase at discounted prices through Brain Lair Books, official Generations bookseller and Black owned bookstore in South Bend, Indiana.
Generations Book Club launched on June 1; their Culture & Community titles will be featured on June 15. Be sure to visit The Brown Bookshelf to celebrate BROWN BABY LULLABY and all the other wonderful reads on this inaugural list!