The Brown Bookshelf
@thebrownbookshelf.bsky.social
The home to 28 Days Later, we are an award-winning website dedicated to highlighting both under the radar Black children's lit creatives and the vanguards whose shoulders we all stand on. Your go-to source on #BlackKidLit since '08. thebrownbookshelf.com
Congratulations to the @highlightsfound.bsky.social scholarship winners! Especially to Sandra Jackson-Opoku for winning the @thebrownbookshelf.bsky.social scholarship! More details on all the scholarships here: www.highlightsfoundation.org/2025/04/02/h...
Highlights Foundation Invests in 55 Storytellers to Support Their Work to Inspire Kids - Highlights Foundation
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There are people who cross your path and leave you for the better. Our sister Nikki Grimes is that energy and individual. And to show we're not selfish, we're happy to share her love and latest book, A Cup of Quiet. @poetnikki.bsky.social chats with us: thebrownbookshelf.com/2025/04/07/a...
A Cup of Quiet by Nikki Grimes - The Brown Bookshelf
Any book by poet and author extraordinaire Nikki Grimes is meant to be savored; her forthcoming title, A Cup of Quiet, is no exception. School Library Journal characterizes this intergenerational pict...
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Today's creative's work comes from a place of nurturing not only the reader, but also women in community. Her championing that motherhood and womanhood go hand in hand informs her books, helping to positively impact our girls. Day 28: Tanisha "Tee" Moore thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 28: Tanisia “Tee” Moore - The Brown Bookshelf
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 ...
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Today's creative does special work with her picture book biographies. Work that's more important, as we face erasure of our contributions and accomplishments. Day 27: Sarah Warren thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 27: Sarah Warren - The Brown Bookshelf
Sarah is a former early childhood educator. Her celebrity picture book, Charlotte and the Nutcracker (Random House, 2021) received a starred review from Kirkus, which called it a “satisfying story of ...
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Today's creative's graphic novel, Weirdo has a few accolades. Nothing big, just: Kirkus Best Book of the Year New York Public Library Best Book of the Year Chicago PL Book of the Year People Magazine Best Book of the Year Wow! Day 26: Tony Weaver Jr. thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 26: Tony Weaver, Jr. - The Brown Bookshelf
Tony Weaver, Jr. is an award-winning writer, educator, and influencer. He founded the social impact organization Weird Enough, whose mission is to use the narrative ability of graphic novels to foster...
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Today's creative is an award-winning sculptor, artist, muralist and illustrator. Ahh a quadruple threat! Day 25: Dare Coulter thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 25: Dare Coulter - The Brown Bookshelf
You can’t spell heart without art, and Dare Coulter has worked to create a career that focuses around heart-felt presentations of the human experience, life, joy, and resilience. Dare is an award-winn...
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Today's creative built several platforms to nurture emerging writers and still lent his talents to the children's lit world. Day 24: Kern Carter thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 24: Kern Carter - The Brown Bookshelf
“I am writing for my life.” — Kern Carter Born in Trinidad, raised and based in Ontario, Canada, Kern’s writing encompasses creativity, self-expression, emotional awareness, fatherhood, relationships,...
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Today's creative shares how community played a part in him becoming published. And you all know how we feel about community! 🤎 There's power in that experience, and he's sharing it. #BlackBookSky #28DaysLater Day 23: Malcom Newsome Picture Books thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 23: Malcolm Newsome - The Brown Bookshelf
The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Black History Month feature on traditionally published children's picture book author Malcolm Newsome.
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Today's creative was a publishing insider before blessing us with, My Daddy is a Cowboy. It's special when those who have spent time on the other side of the publishing experience decide to channel that energy into a book for a child. Day 22: Stephanie Seales thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 22: Stephanie Seales - The Brown Bookshelf
Stephanie Seales is the California-born daughter of Panamanian immigrants and the author of the Caldecott Honor and CSK Illustrator Medal-winning book My Daddy Is a Cowboy, illustrated by C.G. Esperan...
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Today's creative is a New York Times best selling illustrator. Which we love. But the real question...does the art jump off the page and yell at me in the best way? Yes!! Day 21: Bea Jackson Author/Illustrator thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 21: Bea Jackson - The Brown Bookshelf
Bea Jackson is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Parker Looks Up and From My Head to My Toes. Bea loves telling stories through her art, from dynamic and diverse character design, to delig...
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Today's creative is placing light on representation because it's never too early to teach readers about honoring what makes us unique. #BlackBooksky #28DaysLater Day 20: Allen Wells thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 20: Allen Wells - The Brown Bookshelf
Allen R. Wells is an accomplished author, engineer, and advocate for inclusion and representation in children’s literature. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Allen discovered his passion for st...
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The middle grade debut novel of today's creative is a critical darling. *Oregon Book Award Finalist *Bank Street Best Children's Book Where the praise starts, the librarians follow and our readers benefit. #BlackBookSky #28DaysLater Day 19: Sonja Thomas thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 19: Sonja Thomas - The Brown Bookshelf
Sonja Thomas, a silly introvert ruled by coffee and cats, writes stories for readers of all ages often featuring Black girls doing extraordinary things. Her debut novel, Sir Fig Newton and the Science...
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His illustrations made you want to move your feet when you saw Big Tune - Rise of the Dancehall Prince. Fun fact: That picture book was a collab between he and another '25 spotlight creative. #BlackBookSky #28DaysLater Day 18: Shemar Knight-Justice thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 18: Shamar Knight-Justice - The Brown Bookshelf
Shamar Knight-Justice is currently the Principal of Ethos Classical, an elementary school focused on the intersection of joy, rigor, and the humanity of its students. He has been an educator for 15 ye...
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Today's creative's YA historical fiction series reminds the world that Black wealth is neither a new thing nor an anomaly. #BlackBookSky #28DaysLater Day 17: Krystal Marquis thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 17: Krystal Marquis - The Brown Bookshelf
Cover of The Davenports: More Than This, young adult historical fiction novel written by New York Times bestselling author Krystal Marquis.
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The Brown Bookshelf hits keep hitting. Today's creative is award winning. Accolades for Goodnight Ganesha: * Bank Street Best Book * ALSC DIA Selection * NCTE Wow book Day 16: Nadia Salomon thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1... #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater
Day 16: Nadia Salomon - The Brown Bookshelf
Nadia Salomon is a #PitMad Success Story and award-winning author of Goodnight Ganesha, which is a Bank Street Best Book, ALSC DIA Selection, and #NCTEWow book. She is also the author of A Voice of Ho...
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Today's creative is a publishing trail blazer that added Black children lit creatives into the Community before adding her own voice. We're thankful she's shared her gift. #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Day 15: Bernette Ford thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 15: Bernette Ford - The Brown Bookshelf
Even with more than a dozen books to her credit, Bernette Ford finds it tough to think of herself as an author. She’s an editor, a mentor, a wife, a mother. But an author? She doesn’t easily claim tha...
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Today's spotlight creative is weaving fierce Black girls into the YA tapestry. And she understands the assignment, summing it up, simply: "Continuing to tell our stories is what really matters." #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Day 13: Sarah Raughley thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 14: Sarah Raughley - The Brown Bookshelf
Sarah Raughley is the Nigerian-Canadian author of The Effigies Series, The Bones of Ruin Trilogy and The Queen’s Spade. A finalist of the Aurora Award, Raughley is also an English professor and public...
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Our spotlight artist has dabbled his pen across Children's literature. The stories will slow drip starting this summer through '27. His story in The Haunted States of America anthology will whet your appetite until then. #28DaysLater Day 13: K.E. Lewis thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 13: K.E. Lewis - The Brown Bookshelf
K.E. Lewis is the author of “Now You See Me,” Never Take Your Rhino on A Plane, Because of Dads, and co-author of Underwater: The Storied-Ballad of Drowned Towns. Learn more about his work in children...
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Today's spotlight's 20+ year publishing career included starting the Minorities in Publishing podcast. Love for her 2023 YA: NYPL Best Teen Book Best of the Best Selection by the ALA Black Caucus. #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Day 11: Jennifer Baker thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 12: Jennifer Baker - The Brown Bookshelf
Jennifer Baker is an author and editor/project manager with over 20 years’ experience in book publishing. She’s also the creator/host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast, and has been a faculty me...
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Before illustrating picture books, today's spotlight creative set the tone for children's book covers - from the vibrant and striking yellows of Grown to the calming blues of Shirley Chisolm is a Verb. #28DaysLater Day 11: Rachelle Baker Illustrator thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 11: Rachelle Baker - The Brown Bookshelf
Rachelle Baker is a multi-disciplinary artist from Detroit, MI with a background in Relief Printing (Screenprinting, Lino/Woodcutting), Illustration, Comic Art, Video Art, and Music. She is inspired b...
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Today's spotlight creative's YA psychological thriller was a B&N YA Pick and Good Reads Choice Award selection. Holding it down in YA is increasingly competitive and she's making it look easy. #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Day 10: Liselle Sambury thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 10: Liselle Sambury - The Brown Bookshelf
“That was the thing about families. They knew even the things you wanted to keep secret.” — excerpt from Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian-Canadian author who writes...
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Today's spotlight creative is building pride in our culture among young readers when they'll need it most. With books like Locs Not Dreads, Let's Celebrate Juneteenth & The Six Triple Eight #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Day 9: Tonya Abari thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-9...
Day 9: Tonya Abari - The Brown Bookshelf
Tonya Abari is a Nashville-based independent journalist, author, essayist, author collaborator, and reviewer for both children and adults. With a wide range of interests including parenting, Black mat...
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Today's #28DaysLater spotlight is the epitome of, there is no us without them. Jerry Pinkney was a legendary author/Illustrator and a reminder of the richness and depth to our contributions to children's literature. #BlackHistoryMonth thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-8...
Day 8: Jerry Pinkney - The Brown Bookshelf
Over a career spanning 69 years, Jerry Pinkney became one of the most revered and respected children’s book illustrators in America, if not the world. His evocative drawings and paintings won him inte...
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Today's Brown Bookshelf creative has an extensive bibliography of graphic novels, a format that has not only opened the door to readers but kept it open. #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Day 7: Shawn Pryor thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-7...
Day 7: Shawn Pryor - The Brown Bookshelf
Shawn Pryor’s (he/him) work includes the upcoming middle-grade graphic novel Fast Break (FSG/Macmillan, 2026), Kaiju Unleashed (Quarto/Epic Ink), and Who Is Shaun White? (Penguin Random House), The Gr...
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A Kirkus starred review called the picture book of today's spotlight creative: "An exuberant celebration of community that leaps off the page." #BlackHistoryMonth #28daysLater Day 6: Alliah L. Agostini thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-6...
Day 6: Alliah L. Agostini - The Brown Bookshelf
The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Black History Month feature on traditionally published children's author, Alliah L. Agostini.
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Today's creative started writing stories about characters, like her three daughters, who are Black American and Muslim. "It is vital for children and teens from those intersections to see themselves on the printed page." Day 5: Khadijah VanBrakle YA Author thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-5...
Day 5: Khadijah VanBrakle - The Brown Bookshelf
Khadijah VanBrakle is a Muslim woman of color living in the southwestern US. As someone born and raised in Canada to American parents, she writes to ensure teens who share her Black American & Muslim ...
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Today's featured creative is an award winning artist and illustrator. His vibrant colors jump off the page. Exactly what a child needs to start their journey as a lifelong reader. Day 4: Ken Daley Artist/Illustrator #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-4...
Day 4: Ken Daley - The Brown Bookshelf
From as far back as he can remember, Ken Daley was certain of one thing: he would live his life as an artist. As Ken explains, “Art is what I am.” Ken draws inspiration for his work from his African-C...
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We shine the light on middle grade author Rob Cameron and his 2024 debut. #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater Praise for Daydreamer: "Cameron's sentences are laden with magic, stuffed to spilling with the stuff of dreams." Pura Belpré Award winner Carlos Hernandez thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-3...
Day 3: Cameron Roberson/Rob Cameron - The Brown Bookshelf
Cameron Roberson, who writes under the pen name Rob Cameron, is a teacher, linguist, and writer. He has poetry, stories, and essays in Star*Line, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Foreign Pol...
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Today's spotlight creative wrote a love letter to our crowning glory: My hair is a book Watch me open it, part it take a look Day 2: Maisha Oso Picture book author #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-2...
Day 2: Maisha Oso - The Brown Bookshelf
MAISHA OSO is the author of Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence, My Hair is a Book, and Buster the Bully. She writes stories to empower, entertain, and encourage emotional intelligence in ...
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Today, we shine the light on the griot that said: I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal I cannot be comprehended except by my permission - Ego Tripping Day 1: Sister Nikki Giovanni #BlackHistoryMonth #28DaysLater thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...
Day 1: Nikki Giovanni - The Brown Bookshelf
It only seems fitting that this year's 28 Days Later celebration should begin by honoring the life and work of Nikki Giovanni. Her career as a poet, author, educator, public speaker, and activist span...
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