She wrote about the kinds of kids she saw around her. Funny, adventurous, opinionated and brave. Sounds like common sense, but it was ground-breaking. With more than 90 million copies sold, Beverly Cleary‘s books have touched people around the world and influenced generations. National Book Award. Newbery Medal and Honors. The world lost a great when she passed away last week. But the impact of her characters lives on: Ramona Quimby. Beezus. Henry Huggins. Names etched in many hearts and minds, they allow kids to see themselves and each other, to explore, problem solve and celebrate life. Thank you, Beverly Cleary, for your genius, heart for children and vision.

Here are some articles and essays celebrating her incredible contributions:

Fans Share Favorite Beverly Cleary Memories After Famed Children’s Book Author Dies at 104

What Ramona Quimby Taught Me About Taking Up Space

HarperCollins Mourns the Loss of Beloved Children’s Book Author Beverly Cleary

The Book Community Reacts to the Passing of Beverly Cleary

Want to follow in Beverly Cleary’s footsteps and write for children? Here are a few events, classes and resources.

Events:

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, join me in conversation with three acclaimed Black children’s book creators on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. Panelists will include author Fracaswell Hyman, author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton, and author Carole Boston Weatherford. A Q&A will follow the discussion. The event is sponsored by the Durham Public Library and Durham Arts Council. Details here.

Classes:

John Claude Bemis. Does his name sound familiar? He’s one of our amazing past Piedmont Laureates and an acclaimed children’s book author. There are a few spots left in his Creating Stories for Young Readers workshop at the Table Rock Writers Workshop. John is generous, talented and has won awards for his teaching. Check out this chance to learn from one of the greats. Learn more here.

Want to learn how to use techniques from cinema to engage readers? Cinda Williams Chima is leading a webinar titled Lights, Camera, Action: Using Cinematic Techniques to Deliver Character and Story on Thursday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. It’s sponsored by SCBWI-Carolinas. Find out more here.

Resources:

SCBWI – “The international professional organization for authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults.”

The Authors Guild – “. . . the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization of writers.”

Highlights Foundation – ” . . . helps children’s authors and illustrators hone their craft through intimate and inspiring workshops.”

Children’s Book Council (CBC) – ” . . . the nonprofit trade association of children’s book publishers in North America, dedicated to supporting the industry and promoting children’s books and reading.”

The Brown Bookshelf – “ . . . designed to push awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers.”

We Need Diverse Books – ” a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.”

The African American Children’s Book Project’s “I Read to See Me” program recently invited me to do a virtual author visit with Folk Arts – Cultural Treasures Charter School in Philadelphia. It’s a school dedicated to “equity and justice for Asian American students and immigrant and refugee students of all races.” The principal, Pheng Lim, shared that the kids learn about community organizing and how to be upstanders instead of bystanders. They have a Black Heritage Day each year and sing the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice & Sing. They teach kids the importance of having cultural pride, compassion and commitment to creating a loving world. What is an essential component of this learning? Children’s literature.

That wonderful school is not alone in teaching kids to stand against hate and celebrate diversity through reading. Around our state and nation, there are amazing educators, librarians and parents doing the same. Northside Elementary in Chapel Hill. Conn Magnet Elementary in Raleigh. Pearsontown Elementary in Durham. Those are just a few of the outstanding schools making sure the books kids read look like the world around them. Through children’s literature, kids can see themselves and their families, explore each other’s cultures and experiences, find connections and gain new understanding, strength and hope.

There’s so much going on in the world right now that’s heavy and heartbreaking. More children than you realize know about the hate-fueled massacres, domestic terrorism, racist, sexist and homophobic slurs poisoning our country. They talk about it online and in texts. They bring it up during playdates. Some are survivors of verbal or physical attacks themselves. Or have family members who have suffered or even been killed.

In response to the violence against the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) community, Newbery Honor-winning children’s book author Alicia D. Williams posted that we can offer support by reading their stories: “Reading creates understanding,” wrote Williams whose novel Genesis Begins Again explores colorism. “Breaks down barriers. Erases fear of different. Focuses on the similar. Writers write stories from the heart to open doors of our hearts and minds.” I was nodding before I even finished reading her powerful words.

Acclaimed author Kathleen Burkinshaw, who lives in Charlotte like Williams, donated a hardcover copy of her moving novel, The Last Cherry Blossom, for the Kidlit Against Anti-AAPI Racism Auction. The book is based on her mother’s story of being a young Hiroshima survivor and is a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Resource for Teachers and Students. The auction is closed, but we can keep making a difference.

Stack your home, school and library shelves with books by creators who represent the rich tapestry of our nation. Read these books to young children. Read them with older ones. Gift them to kids you know. Talk about the stories. Explore the experiences, the joys and the struggles. Discuss how your child(ren) and the characters are alike and different. Advocate for equity. Make sure classroom reading lists are inclusive and that everyone can see themselves and each other.

Where do you find the stories? They’re all around.

Here are some resources to get you started:

KiBooka – A website created by Newbery Medal winner Linda Sue Park that celebrates children’s books by creators from the Korean Diapora.

The Brown Bookshelf – A website that centers and raises awareness of books by Black children’s book creators.

We Need Diverse Books – A nonprofit organization that “that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.”

The African American Children’s Book Project – An organization “created in 1992 to promote and preserve children’s literature written by or about African Americans.”

Cynsations – “Blog of award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith.” Smith, is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a new imprint at HarperCollins highlighting the voices of Native creators. Cynsations features resources, articles and insights in the kidlit world and is committed to diversity, inclusion and social justice.

American Indians in Children’s Literature – A website “established in 2006 by Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo, American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) provides critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books.”

Latinxs in Kid Lit – A website that promotes books by Latinx creators and offers important perspectives and resources about Latinx children’s and YA literature.

Asian Author Alliance – “A group to celebrate Asian Kidlit and the diversity of stories that originate from the Asian Continent.”

Las Musas – “A collective of women and non-binary (identifying on the female spectrum) Latinx authors whose mission is to “spotlight the new contributions of Las Musas in the evolving canon of children’s literature and celebrate the diversity of voice, experience, and power in our communities.”

Social Justice Books – “a project of Teaching for Change, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide teachers and parents with the tools to create schools where students learn to read, write and change the world.”

The Conscious Kid –  “an education, research, and policy organization dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth.”

On this last day of Black History Month, here’s part III of my round up of Black children’s book creators around the Triangle and state. Their books are moving, funny, lyrical, inspiring. They’re must-reads year round.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Award-winning illustrator and author, Vanessa Brantley-Newton creates magic wherever she goes. As a child, Vanessa saw herself in The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Now, she makes sure all kids know they’re seen and loved. Creator of more than 90 books for kids, celebrating diversity is a hallmark of her work. Kirkus said this of her touching picture book, Just Like Me: “Simple, upbeat, and affirming—a great reminder of what is to be gained when girls appreciate their own uniqueness and that of others. A dynamic, uplifting, and welcoming world of girls.” Learn more about Vanessa at https://www.vanessabrantleynewton.com/.

Dorothy H. Price

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A former high school teacher, Dorothy H. Price hopes her picture book debut, Nana’s Favorite Things, sparks diabetes awareness. The poignant story, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, explores the relationship between a girl and her grandma who bond around delicious treats until a diabetes diagnosis brings a new understanding. A 2019 We Need Diverse Books mentee, Dorothy is working hard to create more books. You can read her short story, “Songs of Zion,” and see a video rendition here. Learn more about Dorothy at http://dorothyhprice.com/.

Eleanora E. Tate

Eleanora E. Tate is an award-winning author and difference maker whose books for children celebrate cultural pride, family, identity and much more. Winner of a North Carolina Book Award for Juvenile Literature, her stirring novel Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance is set in Raleigh and Harlem. Another of her literary treasures, Just An Overnight Guest, was turned into a television movie starring Richard Roundtree and Rosalind Cash. Creator of nearly a dozen titles, her work empowers and endures. Learn more about Eleanora at www.eleanoraeatate.com.

Donna Washington

A beloved, internationally known storyteller, Donna L. Washington is a talented picture book author too. Her titles include A Pride of African Tales, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, The Story of Kwanzaa, A Big Spooky House and the forthcoming Boo Stew which originated from a storytelling roundtable game she played with her children. Donna’s stories swing and sway and bring culture to life in inventive ways. Learn more about Donna at https://dlwstoryteller.com/.

Carole Boston Weatherford

A New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Honor winner with more than 50 award-winning books, Carole Boston Weatherford says her mission is to “mine the past for family stories, fading traditions and forgotten struggles.” Her powerful work spans nonfiction, poetry and historical fiction. Carole is known for her stunning biographies that celebrate countless heroes from Oprah Winfrey and Fannie Lou Hamer to John Coltrane and Wendell Scott. Her latest picture book, Unspeakable, illustrated by Floyd Cooper, explores the Tulsa Race Massacre and received six starred reviews. Learn more about Carole at http://www.cbweatherford.com.

Alicia D. Williams

Winner of multiple awards including the Newbery Honor for her debut young adult novel, Genesis Begins Again, Alicia D. Williams is an educator, teaching artist and storyteller whose work is full of purpose and heart. “We write stories that we’re afraid to tell,” she wrote in a post for The Brown Bookshelf. “We write stories that will change us, change others. We write stories that might be deemed uncomfortable. We write stories that require us to be brave.” Alicia’s latest is Jump at the Sun, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara, a picture book biography of Zora Neale Hurston that has already earned four starred reviews. Learn more about Alicia at https://www.aliciadwilliams.com/.

Today, I continue my celebration of Black children’s book creators around the Triangle and state. I was planning to make this the final installment. But there are so many outstanding authors and illustrators that I’m creating a part III. Learn about the wonderful creators below, check out their work and stay tuned for one more salute.

Dare Coulter

Celebrated for her paintings, murals and sculptures, Dare Coulter is shining in a new field – children’s book illustration. She lent her talent to three books including the beautiful My NC from A to Z written by Michelle Lanier, director of NC Division of State Historic Sites. Dare’s mission? “My hope is to leave behind a body of work that accomplished my primary artistic objective, which is to give life to large and unapologetic depictions of black joy.” Learn more about Dare at www.darecoulter.com.

Shana Keller

Author of inspiring picture book biographies like TickTock: Banneker’s Clock, named a best STEM book by the Children’s Book Council, and Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass Story, Shana Keller says she has a passion for history and storytelling. One of her favorite quotes is from Benjamin Banneker: “Every day is an adventure in learning.” Learn more about Shana at www.shanakeller.com.

Keith Knight

Award-winning cartoonist, NAACP History Maker recipient and inspiration for the Hulu show Woke, Keith Knight’s art has been featured in publications around the globe including The Washington Post, Ebony and ESPN the Magazine. He is the illustrator of the acclaimed Jake the Fake middle-grade series written by Craig Robinson. Learn more about Keith at www.kchronicles.com

Michelle Lanier

The director of the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites and the first executive director of the NC African American Heritage Commission (NCAAHC), Michelle Lanier is a folklorist, historian, educator and preservationist. Her debut children’s book, My N.C. from A to Z, illustrated by Dare Coulter (see above) showcases the amazing history of our state. “This colorful, sturdy board book celebrates pride of place, creates connections to North Carolina’s rich African American heritage, and teaches children about human equality and social justice,” reads the description on the NCAAHC website. Learn more about Michelle at www.ncdcr.gov/about/leadership/michelle-lanier.

Christopher Ledbetter

An award-winning young adult author, Christopher Ledbetter says he’s drawn to stories of transformation. He hopes readers feel strength and hope in his books. “I continue to write because I see it as an avenue to inspire and uplift. And, because the stories refuse to stop springing into my mind and demanding to be written.” he says on his website. His imaginative novels include Drawn, Inked, The Sky Throne and his latest, The High Court. Learn more about Chris at www.cdledbetter.com.

Kwame Mbalia

Kwame Mbalia hit the scene with a splash. His freshman middle-grade novel, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, won a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award. And that’s not all. He’s a New York Times bestseller whose follow up, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, earned multiple starred reviews like his debut. Look for his upcoming novel, Last Gate of the Emperor, written with Prince Joel David Makonnen, in May. Learn more about Kwame at https://kwamembalia.com/.

Georgia McBride

A speculative fiction YA author, executive editor and creator of Georgia McBride Media Group, she has published dozens of titles by authors around the country. Jonathan Maberry, author of Flesh & Bone and Rot & Ruin, said this of Georgia’s own novel, Praefatio: “This is teen fantasy at its most entertaining, most heartbreaking, most compelling. Highly recommended.” Learn more about Georgia at www.georgiamcbride.com.

LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss

A former engineer, LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss fell under the spell of picture books through her son. Savoring stories with him called her to write books of her own. Kirkus called her debut title, I Love Me! illustrated by Beth Hughes: “A celebratory proclamation of ultra-inclusive self-love.” LaRonda dreams of illustrating her own books one day. Learn more about her at www.iscribeisketch.com.

Johnny Ray Moore

His poignant board book biography, The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr., has sold more than 100,000 copies. Johnny Ray Moore is an accomplished songwriter, greeting card writer, poet and children’s book author. His titles include Howie Has a Stomachache, A Leaf, Silence Please, Anthill for Sale, So Many Questions. Learn more about Johnny at www.johnnyraymoore.com.

Happy Friday, Friends! It’s an honor to be Piedmont Laureate. Thank you for the warm welcome and support.

During my tenure, I look forward to offering panels, readings, programs and workshops that build bridges and focus on the brilliance, beauty and hope of children’s literature. There’s power in stories, reading those written by others and using your voice to tell your own. I want to honor both.

Part of my mission this year is to raise awareness of the outstanding authors and illustrators in the Triangle and around the state. In celebration of Black History Month, I’m starting by shining a light on Black children’s book creators who call North Carolina home. I’m inspired by their work and grateful for the ways they empower, captivate and affirm young readers.

There are so many that I’m saluting them in two posts. Part I is below. Look for Part II next week. Please check out their books and consider adding them to home, school and library collections.

Derrick D. Barnes

Newbery Honor Winner. New York Times bestselling author. Two-time Kirkus Prize Award Winner. Derrick has written more than a dozen books for young people that touch hearts along with snagging critical acclaim. His beloved titles include Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut and I Am Every Good Thing, both illustrated by Gordon James (see below) and The King of Kindergarten illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton (check out her work next Friday). Learn more about Derrick at www.derrickdbarnes.com.

Tameka Fryer Brown

With award-winning books including Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb, My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood illustrated by Shane W. Evans and Brown Baby Lullaby illustrated by A.G. Ford, Tameka has become known for her jazzy, poetic style and picture books packed with joy and meaning. She has more gems on the way including a bio on Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress and the first to run for a major party nomination for president. Learn more about Tameka at www.tamekafryerbrown.com.

Tracy Deonn

She knocked it out of the park with her debut young adult novel, Legendborn, earning a spot on the New York Times bestseller list and winning the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Set on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, Tracy’s stand-out title has been called a reimagining of Arthurian legend and thrilling celebration of Black girl magic. Learn more about Tracy at www.tracydeonn.com.

Judy Allen Dodson

Historian. Archivist. Librarian. Advocate for Diverse Children’s Books. With her poignant debut novel, Escape From . . . Hurricane Katrina, you can add author to her stellar list of roles. In a powerful story of courage, determination, resilience and family bonds, Judy gives us twin heroes who weather a devastating storm outside and the emotional storm of a mom battling cancer. Learn more about this Junior Library Guild title and what’s on the way at www.judyallendodson.com.

Chrystal D. Giles

Her acclaimed middle-grade debut, Take Back the Block, explores gentrification, heritage, friendship and home. It is a Junior Library Guild selection and Kids’ Indie Next Pick. Chrystal’s poem, “Dimples,” is featured in the poetry anthology, Thanku: Poems of Gratitude. Learn more about her at www.chrystaldgiles.com.

Fracaswell “Cas” Hyman

Actor. Producer. Award-winning TV writer. Cas is full of storytelling magic. What a gift that he uses his talent to create middle-grade novels too. His first book, Mango Delight, earned a starred Booklist review and was named a Teachers’ Pick by Amazon. Lucky for us the charming sequel, Summer in the City, debuted last year. Learn more about Cas at www.fracaswellhyman.com.

Gordon C. James

He says this on his website: “When people see my art I want them to say, I know that person, I know that feeling.” Gordon has people around the country feeling seen and loved. His award-winning books include Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, one of the most decorated books at the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards, I Am Every Good Thing and Let ‘Er Buck! written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. Learn more about Gordon at www.gordoncjames.com.

Did you enjoy learning about these creators? Come back next Friday to discover more.