People of colors are sorely lacking in the children’s book industry. This includes both people of color be represented on the pages of children’s books, as well as authors and illustrators of color being published. I assume this isn’t news to anyone reading this.
This glaring disparity has been considered, discussed, and shared for over a decade. Despite all this discussion and apparent awareness, only teensy progress has been made.
I, like probably many of you, struggle with what me, on my own, can do about this and it does feel like something needs to be DONE. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, but for now here’s what I got:
- I will continue to consciously choose to read and share books that represent people of color in my home and on this blog.
- I will continue to read and share books written and illustrated by people of color in my home and on this blog but I will also begin to consciously seek out new voices of color not just embrace them when they fall in my lap.
- I will continue to follow awesome blogs by people of color, like HowWeeRead and seek out new ones to broaden my scope in the children’s book world to include more voices of color.
- I will work harder to provide resources to parents, teachers and librarians who also want to expand their bookshelves and reading life to include more people of color.
This post is primarily to begin to do the last item on that list. For a long time I felt like being internally aware of sharing books by diverse voices and representations was enough.
Right now that doesn’t seem like nearly enough. Right now it feels like I need to state it more out loud.
Here is a place to start:
Amazing New Books of 2020 by People of Color
This is by no means ALL of the books written by people of color that were published so far this year. If you want that – Black Children’s Books and Authors has a much more comprehensive list. This list is just the picture books that I have read and absolutely loved so far this year.
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You Matter
by Christian Robinson
Find Online
The Paper Kingdom
by Helena Ku Rhee
illustrated by Pascal Campion
Find Online
Dictionary for a Better World
by Irene Latham and Charles Waters
illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Find Online
A Place Inside of Me
by Zetta Elliot
illustrated by Noa Denmon
Find Online
Hat Tricks
by Satoshi Kitamura
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Bilal Cooks Daal
by Aisha Saeed
illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Find Online
Let’s Dance
by Valerie Bolling
illustrated by Maine Diaz
Find Online
Children’s Book Authors of Color for Your Next Author Study
2020 was meant to be a year of Author Studies here at My Storytime Corner. I was SO excited about this project and we got off to a great start…and then the pandemic hit and libraries closed and I didn’t know how to proceed. I know my book buying budget is limited. It didn’t seem fair to show you stacks of books by authors you had never read but you couldn’t borrow first to see if you love them as well.
However, here are some amazing authors of color with deep lists to dive into that I highly recommend using for an author study now or whenever you are ready.
Juana Medina
- author/illustrator
- She has won awards for her early chapter book series about Juana and Lucas.
- We also love her picture books, like 1 Big Salad
- Website: http://www.juanamedina.com/
Andrea Davis Pinkney
- author (who often works with her illustrator husband Brian Pinkney, who is the son of incredible illustrator Jerry Pinkney)
- our favorite: Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down
- website: https://andreadavispinkney.com/
- our author study: https://www.mystorytimecorner.com/andrea-davis-pinkney-author-study-ideas/
Christian Robinson
- author/illustrator
- newest book: You Matter
- illustrated RAIN! which is one of my absolute all time favorites.
- website: https://www.theartoffun.com/about
- our author / illustrator study: https://www.mystorytimecorner.com/christian-robinson-author-illustrator-study/
Salina Yoon
- author/illustrator
- Her latest book: Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship with Marie Kondo
- We love her Penguin series – start here.
- website: http://www.salinayoon.com/HOME.html
- our Author Study: https://www.mystorytimecorner.com/salina-yoon-author-study-for-preschool-through-third-graders/
Atinuke
- author
- If you’re looking for a good author study for younger kids, Atinuke is a great pick. She has gorgeous board books for littles.
- Baby Goes to Market is one of my favorites.
- Website: http://atinuke-author.weebly.com/
Vashti Harrison
- author and illustrator
- Her best known book (and now series) is LITTLE LEADERS.
- She is also the illustrator of many gorgeous books like HAIR LOVE and SULWE
- Website: https://www.vashtiharrison.com/
Kadir Nelson
- illustrator, artist, author
- I don’t really know where to start with Kadir Nelson. He is a phenomenal artist.
- He is the author/artist of many books and an illustrator of even more.
- Two author/illustrator books we love are IF YOU PLANT A SEED and NELSON MANDELA.
- He has also illustrated SO many books, including the Caldecott Medal Book THE UNDEFEATED and one of my all time favorites DANCING IN THE WINGS.
- His website: https://www.kadirnelson.com/
Jacqueline Woodson
- author
- If you’re looking for an author study of an author of color for older kids then Jacqueline Woodson is a good place to start. Although she has some picture books, she is primarily a chapter book author.
- For chapter books, I recommend starting with BROWN GIRL DREAMING.
- For picture books THE DAY YOU BEGIN is my favorite, but I also love PECAN PIE BABY.
- Website: https://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/
Juana Martinez-Neal
- Had to throw in one Illustrator Study because I am in love with Juana Martinez-Neal’s style.
- Her one author/illustrator book is ALMA AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME (I hope she’ll write more!)
- Her most recent illustrations were for FRY BREAD which was one of our favorites last year.
- Website: https://juanamartinezneal.com/
Donald Crews
- author/illustrator
- If you have a kid who loves transportation (like my little train obsessed kiddo) then Donald Crews is the perfect author study for you.
- Our favorites, beyond FREIGHT TRAIN, are TRUCK and BICYCLE RACE.
- You can learn more about Donald Crews on this website.
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
- author
- Primarily historical stories about Black History.
- Author Study post. She was on of our 2021 Author Study Challenge authors.
Newer Authors of Color I’m excited to keep an eye on
My biggest problem when trying to include more authors of color on our author study list was that there just aren’t that many who have a big list of published books that you can really sink into for a month.
The issue is obviously that it has been harder for authors of color to get published and grow that stack of books. Hopefully that will change.
For now, here are some other authors of color who have a book or two that are excellent and I haven’t already mentioned anywhere above. I’ll be keeping my eye out for their next new release. I hope you’ll follow them as well!
- Roda Ahmed burst onto the scene with the gorgeous Mae Among the Stars and now has a second book out. Check out her website.
- Connie Shofield Morrison. Author of two I GOT books. Find her on Facebook.
- Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow wrote the heart-filled book Mommy’s Khimar and has several others scheduled to release soon. Hop over to her website for more.
- Daria Peoples-Riley has a couple of books including the gorgeous THIS IS IT book that I included on my list of books about dance. Check out her website.
- Ashley Franklin wrote NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE, her debut in 2019. Here’s her website: http://ashleyfranklinwrites.com/
- Sharee Miller is the author of PRINCESS HAIR and DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR. Her website is: https://www.shareemiller.com/
- For chapter books, I loved MORE TO THE STORY last year and can’t wait to see what else Hena Khan shares with the world. Her website is: https://www.henakhan.com/
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