Kim Whitfield-Holt - illustrator and animator

Just stumbled up the blog "Kim's Collection of Stuff" by illustrator and animator Kim Whitfield-Holt. If you have a moment, do check it out. The style is contemporary, fresh, and ... happy! I laughed at bare legs illustration on her blog titled Cactus. What do you think - can't you see her work in a children's book? Enjoy!

60 Black Superwomen in Comics

I had no IDEA there were this many Black Superwomen in comics! The video is about 7 mins long. It ends with images of First Lady Michelle Obama in different comics. And, if you'd like more visit the Black SuperHeroines blog thanks to Rebecca O'Neal. Enjoy!

Aya - Graphic Novel by Marguerite Abouet

Been busy the last several months finishing my latest book and seeing it published. Now, am trying to catch up on my kid's lit list. I just purchased "AYA" by Marguerite Abouet, illustrated by Clement Oubrerie at Politics and Prose, a local DC bookstore and institution. It's a nearly 100 page graphic novel about a young African girl coming of age. Has any read it yet or its sequel - Aya of Yop City? Enjoy!

Black Kid's Lit Authors/Illustrators - Up 7.8% in 2008

The Cooperative Children's Book Center has posted its annual statistics on the number of authors of color in the field of children's literature. The numbers are based on the books the CCBC receives each year. They received about 3,000 children's books last year.

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) at the University of Wisconsin, Madison has tracked children's books by and about people of color in the US since 1994. Its study of African American children's book authors goes back further to 1985.

In 2008, there was a 7.8% increase in black children's book authors or illustrators... 83 in 2008, up from 77 in 2007. Seems like the number of children's book authors or illustrators of color are up all around, according to the CCBC:

• 48 Latino Children's Book Authors/Illustrators in 2008, up from 42 in 2007
  
• 77 Asian American Children's Book Authors/Illustrators in 2008, up from 56 in 2007
• 9 American Indian Children's Book Authors/Illustrators in 2008, up from 6 in 2007

You can read more about the CCBC's thoughts on the 2008 publishing season and these statistics by clicking here. Special thanks to Megan Schliesman, CCBC Librarian, for answering my questions on these stats. So, what are your thoughts on the stats?

Let the kids try Kartoo.com - visual search engine

If you get a moment, visit KartOO.com - a visual search engine designed by these two French guys. It's an amazing way to look at information - so visit www.KartOO.com and type in your favorite children's book author and see how the results appear. What do you think? Enjoy!

Kansas City (MO) Library Parking Garage

Thanks to my Mom for forwarding to me this funny photo now floating around cyberspace - it's of the unusual architecture of the parking lot for the Kansas City (MO) library. To see more crazy buildings, visit Unusual Architecture blog.

Obama Administration - WhiteHouse.gov

The Obama Administration is now LIVE on WhiteHouse.gov. Looking forward to seeing what the federal government's position on the arts and promotion of literacy and children's literature will be. Thanks to Gwen Magee for sharing this link to the Newsweek article on Obama and the Arts. Enjoy!

2009 Coretta Scott King Awards - Another Year of Mock Silence?

Do a blog search - is there any chatter on mock Coretta Scott King Awards for 2009? No librarians seem to be talking about the CSK awards? No bloggers? No book industry publications? I have not been able to find any, so decided to start a thread given the awards are coming out later this month. Here are my picks for 2009 - what are yours?

2009 Mock CSK - Author Award Nominees

• Sunrise Over Falluja by Walter Dean Myers (He's won a CSK Award 9 times before)
  
• Letters to a Young Sister by Hill Harper (Should have been honored for 2007 Letters to a Young Brother)
  
• Brand New School, Brand New Ruby by Derrick Barnes (Dark horse, I don't think any CSK Award has gone towards a series novel... Think Connie Rose Porter of the American Girls Addy book series ... or the Willimenia Rules! series by Valerie Wilson Wesley... or... you get my point.)
• You Can Do It! by Tony Dungy - a popular book with over 25 Amazon comments.
  

2009 Mock John Steptoe New Talent Award - Author Nominees

• Bird by Zetta Elliott. This book also won a Lee & Low New Voices honor award.
  
• Howard Thurman's Great Hope by Kai Jackson Issa
  

2009 Mock CSK - Illustrator Award Nominees

• Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope illustrated by Bryan Collier. Collier has won the CSK Illustrator award five times previous. Did the newly published book get submitted in time for the December deadline?
  
• We Are the Ships: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson, a three time CSK award winner. Very strong promotional efforts in 2008; many Amazon comments.
  
• A Man for All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver illustrated by Wil Clay. Clay has also won a CSK award before. Georgeous illustrations in this book, but is the subject of Carver too nineteenth century given the new dawn of Obama?
• No Mush Today illustrated by Nicole Tadgell. Just so sweet!
  
• Art from Her Heart: Folk Artist Clementine Hunter illustrated by Shane Evans. I admit, I'm biased on this and the next selection. How can we live in a world that Shane Evans' illustrations have not been at leasted HONORED for a CSK Award. Did you know that 31% of all past CLK Illustrator Awards have gone to just five illustrators (Ashley Bryan, Jerry Pinkney, Leo Dillion and Diane Dillion and Bryan Collier). Now, this is no disrespect to any winning illustrators - I just can't understand why one award would continue to go to the same folks year after year. Judges?
  
• Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera. Again, I'm biased. I'm a quilter and happen to be a fan of Cozbi's illustrations and dolls. There have been 37 illustrators to win any CSK Illustrator award - less than 10 have been women. Last year sistah Nancy Devard won an Honor award. As for the Gee's Bend Quilting subject matter, these quilts are of historical importance. In 2008 there were three different law suits regarding aspects of the Gee's Bend Quilt phenomena. What other woman illustrator would you nominate for 2009?
  

2009 Mock John Steptoe New Talent Award - Illustrator Nominees

• Howard Thurman's Great Hope illustrated by Arthur L. Dawson.
• March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World illustrated by London Ladd.
• Bird illustrated by Shadra Strickland. Did you know there have been ZERO... NONE... NO female winners of the John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator award? None. Maybe 2009?
  

Now, if there was a CSK Award for compiling a book ... my nominee would be

• Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat edited by sistah poet Nikki Giovanni

I also think if there were awards for promoting the cause of African American literature in 2008, one nominee would be ....

• The Brown Bookshelf blog - What a tremendous job this team of Paula Chase Hyman, Varian Johnson, Don Tate, Kelly Starling Lyons, and Carla Sarratt has done to keep us all updated on new books, authors and illustrators. I, for one, am looking forward to the 2nd annual 28 Days Later Black History calendar!
  

So, who do you think will win CSK Awards in 2009? How many new winners will there be? How many women? Will there be a year when a self-published African American author or illustrator wins? What say you?

Coretta Scott King Award - 2009 Judges

The first Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding book for children and young adults by an African American author was presented in 1970. The award for illustrators was added in 1974. You can read about past awards from Henrietta M. Smith's book, The Coretta Scott King Awards, 1970 - 2004, 3rd edition.

The judges for the 2009 CSK Award are: Jury Chair Dr. Carole McCollough, Wayne State University (retired), and Jury Members .... Brenda M Hunter from Atlanta, Martha Ruff of the Oxon Hill Library in Maryland, Dr. Jonda McNair, Asst. Prof.Of Reading Education at Clemson University, Alan R. Bailey, Asst. Professor, East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, Eunice Anderson, Neighborhood Library Services Division in Baltimore, and Robin Smith of Nashville, TN. Looking forward to their decision in January 2009!

Obama Os - New Breakfast Cereal

Obama O's: Hope in Every Bowl If I were a kid, I'd like to start the day with a bowl filled with "hope." A new travel website, Airbed & Breakfast, created this cereal as a promotion. Yes, there's actually cereal in it. Now, if there was a small story booklet inside ..... Enjoy!

Words Falling from a Book

What fun! Words falling from a book. I don't know the photographer. Thanks to the folks at Inspire me, now! Enjoy!

African-American Children's Book Writers & Illustrators 1st Conference

African-American Children's Book Writers & Illustrators 1st Conference Apr. 25, 2009, Charlotte NC

African-American Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference provides new and seasoned writers and artists with opportunities to network and learn from expert editors and published authors and illustrators in Charlotte, NC, April 25, 2009.

"I bet I could write or illustrate a kids' book." Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Or are you a published author or illustrator that needs a boost? If so, register now for the history-making African-American Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (AACBWI) conference online at AACBWI.com to be held at the Hilton Charlotte University Place hotel in Charlotte, NC.

AACBWI Provides Writers and Illustrators with Tools for Success According to the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) report, Publishing in 2007, of the roughly 3,000 titles received by the CCBC in 2007 just 150 had "significant African or African-American content." In 2003, the ratio was similar when Charlotte writer Sabra Robinson founded AACBWI as an online forum to provide writers and illustrators with tools for career success. Next year, AACBWI will
celebrate its sixth year of literary service!

AACBWI Historic Conference Open to All
Both AACBWI and its first conference are open to anyone interested in children's book writing and illustrating— not only people of color. To attend the conference, which includes a lunch buffet, all you need are the desires to network, increase your knowledge about the publishing business, and most importantly, strengthen your ability to write and illustrate books for children. You must also pay to register.

Network with Panelists and Workshop Presenters
Conference attendees can learn from and network with the professionals listed below during panel discussions, workshops, critique sessions, and informally. For session titles visit AACBWI.com.

*Sarah Ketchersid—Senior Editor, Candlewick Press
*Eileen Robinson—Former Scholastic Executive Editor and Harcourt
Editorial Manager, now of F1rstPages.com editing service
*Eleanora E. Tate—North Carolina resident and award-winning author of over 15 fiction and non-fiction books for children, preteens, and teens (Celeste's Harlem Renaissance! )
*Don Tate—Award-winning illustrator of over 25 children's books (Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit and his Walkin' Talkin' Friends)
*Christine Taylor Butler—Author of more than 40 books (A Mom Like No Other)
*Jacquelin Thomas—Divine young adult novel series author (Simply Divine)
*Kelly Starling Lyons—Picture book author (One Million Men and Me)
*Christine Young-Robinson— Picture book author (Chicken Wing)

Manuscript & Portfolio Critiques
Conference presenters will critique participants' manuscripts or portfolios for an additional fee. Critiques are limited and first-come-first- serve. Register soon, while slots last.

Costs and Sponsorship
The conference ranges from $55 for AACBWI members to $125 for non-members who register early, plus critique fees. Fees for non-members increase after February 1, 2009.

Willesden Bookshop - London

London is one of my favorite cities! Next time I'm in town, I'm going to visit Willesden Bookshop at Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, London NW10 4QU, Tel: 020-8421-7000. This book store positions itself as specializing in multicultural children's books. One can find dozens of Cinderella stories, Anansi stories, and even quilt stories. I'm very bias as this store does stock, Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria! Enjoy!

Library Sparks Magazine - Free Sample

Makes one wish one was an elementary school librarian for real! Enjoy a free sample of Library Sparks - a magazine featuring library activities. A joy to read!

How to Tell a Ghost Story video - Great!

While on YouTube, I stumbled onto this 2:19 minute HowCast video titled "How to Tell a Ghost Story." The 5 or 6 points the narrator gives are marvelous. Actually, the points will work for "How to Write a Kid's Picture Book," too! Enjoy!

Sisters are From Heaven - new book

A new photo picture book is "Sisters are From Heaven" by two real life sisters Onjeinika Brooks and Tamika Jackson from Wilmington, North Carolina but now living in the greater Washington, DC area. Onjeinika penned the words. Tamika composed the photographs. The book explains why God gives us siblings. This 24-page book is available from Xlibris.com for $12.99. Enjoy!

JacketFlap - Networking with other Kid's Lit folks

Have you visited JacketFlap? It's an online community of authors, illustrators, librarians, and others interested in kid's lit. I found it a good resource to connect with those in the field and ensure my books are listed. It's free. Check it out today! www.JacketFlap.com Enjoy!

National Book Festival - September 27 in DC

If you're in the Washington, DC area on September 27, do stop by the Library of Congress for the annual National Book Festival - it's Free!

Click here for the list of authors and illustrators who will be on hand for book signings and talks!

Enjoy!

Soul Name by Naana Kyereboah

Soul Name by Naana Kyereboah sheds light on the Ghanaian tradition for naming children. The story is told from the viewpoint of Ekua, a young girl who is allowed to witness the naming ceremony for her baby brother.

This 48-page book moves gently through the early morning naming ceremony attended by parents and grandparents, the pouring of libations for the ancestors, the blessing by the father and family elders, the formal giving of gifts, and then the extended family celebration with food and drink. Soul Name places the naming of a Ghanaian child in the context of culture: how is a name selected, who gets the honor of naming a child. It's a good read!

Lonnie Carmon is the book's illustrator. His drawings are approachable and move the story along. Soul Name, one is surprised to know, comes with a CD. You can listen to the storyteller read Soul Name. What a great value! The book and CD retail for $19.95. Enjoy!

Ida B. Wells Let the Truth Be Told by Walter Dean Myers

Later this Fall Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins, will publish "Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told" by Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen. This 38-page picture book is a biography of a crusading African American woman. Myers shares details of Ida B. Wells' life that even as an adult I was not aware of having not yet read Wells' autobiography, "Crusade for Justice."

I can easily see 4 - 7 graders reading this book - ok, the younger ones will have to have it read to them. They will learn about Ida B. Wells taking care of her brothers and sisters single-handedly after their parents pass-away unexpectedly. They will learn about the event that motivated her to write articles protesting lynching of African Americans in the US. They will learn about her invitations to speak before English and Scottish audiences about the plight of Black folks. They will learn that Susan B. Anthony gave Wells attitude when Wells accepted the marriage proposal from Ferdinand Lee Bernett. They will also learn that Wells created the first voting organization for African American women in Illinois. It was called the Alpha Suffrage Club. Finally, they will learn that Wells even ran for public office!

The book includes a two-page timeline covering major events in Wells' life, including the creation in 1990 of a US Postal Stamp featuring Wells.

Thanks to the folks at Amistad for sending a review copy. I hope that Chasing Ray will also get to read this book, too!