I’ve always been an all or nothing type of person. As a kid I would play outside in the hot sun all day until I would be attacked by a crazy migraine and my mom would have to place cold compresses on my head and soothe me until I’d eventually throw up. Now, I know … Read more
Saturday, April 21 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. ~ Shadra Strickland (Illustrator) Positivity and Fulfilling the Dream Strickland works to promote self-affirmation and validation for African-American children in order to encourage positivity. Through her work, and her ultimate goal as a picture book author and illustrator, Strickland believes her work is about teaching children how to live their … Read more
October has been EXTRA busy. If you’re friends with me on facebook, you’ve had a front row seat to all of the comings and goings. Here’s a recap of the past month. I kicked the month off with a trip to Pennsylvania College of Art and Design with Amy Sherald to hear Robert Pruitt speak about his … Read more
August went out with a BANG! I finished a dummy for a new book, a cover for another book (details t/k), a cover for the October SCBWI Bulletin, two paintings, and launched the EJK Bookmaking Competition. Recently, I went to NY to celebrate my 30th birthday again with friends and was able to talk some … Read more
When Selma Levi, children’s librarian at Enoch Pratt Central Library, e-mailed me last June about joining forces to celebrate Maurice Sendak’s 50th anniversary of Where the Wild Things Are, I had no idea what would come of it. Typically, these types of things blow in the wind once people get busy with their lives. Selma and … Read more
Yesterday I read PLEASE, LOUISE aloud with students of The Wilkes School at Grace & Saint Peters and Midtown Academy. It was an enchanting afternoon sitting under the stars of Enoch Pratt’s Night Room chanting aloud the text from PLEASE, LOUISE. After we read together, I shared a bit of my journey as a young … Read more
What a weekend. Friday afternoon I traveled to NYC to attend the Phillis Wheatley Award ceremony. I met up with my wonderful friend and fellow illustrator, Taeeun Yoo earlier in the day for a great lunch at Cho Dang Gol of Stone Bowl Bibimbap and Dak Galbi. Next we took the 1 train to 125th … Read more
1 – 4 p.m. Parents, educators and book lovers are invited to hear authors and illustrators discuss the power of multicultural stories. Children can enjoy bookmaking crafts and will receive free books (limited quantity). Date and Time: Saturday, May 4, 1:00 pm Important Information: Free program. In conjunction with Defining Moments. Contact Information: For more … Read more
Last year I was approached by Willa Banks, the Educational Programs Coordinator at the Benjamin Banneker Museum, to create a program inspired by White Water to present to children in the Baltimore County School System. I am so excited to share the book and it’s message with students this February. After an open discussion of … Read more
I am driving up to TN this weekend to speak at the Southern Festival of Books. I looooovvvvvveeeee road trips. With the changing leaves it should be a gorgeous drive up. Hope to see you there. I will be presenting on a panel “Katrina’s Children: Moving Beyond the Storm Together” with Jewell Parker Rhodes (yippie!) … Read more