 Glenda Armand - ALL ABOARD THE SCHOOL TRAIN and ICE CREAM MAN Interview by Gabriele Davis Hi, Glenda! Congratulations on your TWO new picture books releasing this month: ALL ABOARD THE SCHOOL TRAIN and ICE CREAM MAN! Both books are captivating and eye-catching. Can you give our readers a brief overview of each and the inspiration behind them? Thank you! I am excited about both books, though their beginnings were quite different. ICE CREAM MAN is about a free-born black man in pre-Civil War America who had the self-confidence, creativity and initiative to overcome overwhelming odds to become a successful inventor and entrepreneur. Augustus Jackson also happened to work as a chef in the White house, serving under three presidents! I had not heard of Augustus Jackson until my editor asked me if I would co-author a book about him with Kim Freeman. Kim gets credit for “discovering” Jackson. Once I learned about him, I knew that he checked all the boxes as to the kind of person I like to write about. ALL ABOARD THE SCHOOLTRAIN is much more personal. However, I do have to thank Isabel Wilkerson for writing THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS. In her epic narrative about the Great Migration, Wilkerson shares an anecdote about children in 1920s rural Mississippi forming a “walking train” to get to their one-room schoolhouse. That inspired me to ask my mom if she had had a similar experience having grown up during that era in rural Louisiana. Her eyes lit up as she recounted to me the basic elements of what became this story. I love that ALL ABOARD THE SCHOOL TRAIN was inspired by your mother’s childhood experience and that you got to include some wonderful family photos in the back matter. What was your family’s response to this book? Can you speak to how writers can tap into their own family histories for inspiration? I certainly hadn’t planned on using my family’s pictures in the book. That was my editor Tracy Mack’s idea! Her vision for my cute little story transformed it into a 48-page work of true historical and cultural meaning. I am honored that it received a starred KIRKUS review. My family helped me remember certain facts and provided pictures. In that sense, it was a group project! My Mom would be very proud. To aspiring writers, I would say that the first place you look to for stories is home. By “home” I mean your own life and family, where you grew up, what books you read, what fascinates you. Take the inspiration you find there and see where it leads you. It could take you to another world. For instance, Suzanne Collins, who loves Greek mythology, was at home flipping the TV between the Iraq war and reality TV shows when she got the inspiration to write The Hunger Games.  You’ve authored other picture book biographies. Having been both a history teacher and a librarian, it’s no surprise that you love writing books spotlighting the stories and accomplishments of people who deserve a wider audience. What do you hope readers will take away from these books? You are right. I enjoy introducing my readers to unsung heroes. IRA’S SHAKESPEARE DREAM is about Ira Aldridge, who was a contemporary of Augustus Jackson and who, like Jackson, was born free. Aldridge became a world-famous Shakespearean actor, noted for his portrayal of Othello. In SONG IN A RAINSTORM, I introduce readers to Thomas Wiggins who, born enslaved, blind and autistic, went on to find fame and fortune as a musical prodigy. I would like children to know about the diversity of the African American experience. Both ALL ABOARD THE SCHOOL TRAIN and ICE CREAM MAN have great kid-appeal. Ice cream and children are a natural combination, and you draw readers through both books with catchy refrains. Can you share your tips for making stories engaging and relatable for young readers? You know, I had not thought about how they both have refrains. I do like to write in rhyme, so any chance I get, I will do so. Also, when I write picture books, I imagine them being read aloud by a teacher, parent or librarian. Kids like to participate in the story and love repeating a catchy refrain. It keeps them engaged and it helps with their memorization skills. I am a proponent of having kids memorize poems and songs and even times tables (I know that dates me.). It’s exercise for the brain. I enjoyed the fascinating details you include in the afterword for ICE CREAM MAN. Kids will be surprised to learn that people once ate bizarre ice cream flavors like Parmesan Cheese and Asparagus! What research tips can you offer writers interested in crafting fascinating picture book biographies? I like to give lots of details in the afterword that I hope the adult reader will find helpful in sharing the books with children. Kids like weird and amazing facts. If the facts also have a yuk factor, all the better. So I would say to new writers, find some fascinating detail about your subject that children will find interesting. I like to begin the bio with an anecdote from the subject’s childhood that immediately draws the child in. Both Keisha Morris and Keith Mallett do an amazing job of bringing your stories to life with their illustrations. I especially like how Morris captures the joy of the school train winding through town and how Mallett conveys the pride Jackson takes in bringing sweet treats to his community. How involved were you in the visual development of these books? Did you include many illustration notes in your manuscript? Were you able to provide feedback on rough sketches? Yes, I was involved to some extent with the illustrations, and both artists were a delight to work with. I saw sketches along the way, making suggestions that were well-received. For instance, Thelma in SCHOOLTRAIN, is inspired by my mom. When Keisha, who loves cats, gave Thelma a pet cat, I asked her to change the cat to a dog. Mom was a dog person. For ICE CREAM MAN, Keith had to make sure not to show ice cream being eaten from a cone. Ice cream cones were not invented until 1904! You have referred to school libraries as “the heart of the school.” What is it that makes school libraries so vital? In the library, students can come and relax, play board games, maybe work on a puzzle. It’s a place where everyone fits in and you can be yourself. And, of course, it’s a place to read. I love helping a student find a book. I have to get to know the student and make that connection. When a student tells me he or she doesn’t like to read, I just say, “You haven’t found the right book yet.” Whether the right book is Gone With the Wind or Captain Underpants, I just want the student to become a reader. You have another book releasing in 2023. Would you like to offer readers a preview of this book? Any other titles on the horizon? Sure! I have a book being released by Crown Books in May, THE NIGHT BEFORE FREEDOM, about Juneteenth. I mentioned that I enjoy writing in rhyme. The story follows the same meter as Clement C. Moore's The Night Before Christmas. And I am very excited that this will be my first rhyming picture book. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me, Glenda! I look forward to reading much more of your inspiring work in the future! Thank you so much, Gabriele. I enjoyed it. And congratulations on your upcoming books! I look forward to reading them!  Glenda Armand has had a long career as a teacher and school librarian. She enjoys writing picture book biographies that inspire children to read, learn and dream big. Glenda lives in Los Angeles and has a son and daughter. When not writing or practicing the piano, she tends a garden full of roses and succulents. Drop by her website at glenda-armand.com or connect with her on Twitter: @GlendaArmand.
 Natasha Anastasia Tarpley - KEYANA LOVES HER FAMILY! Interview by: Gabriele Davis Hi, Natasha! Welcome to the KidLit in Color blog and congratulations on your newest picture book, KEYANA LOVES HER FAMILY!, the first in a new series about Keyana. Reading it evoked fond memories of my own childhood movie nights—though they were never as extravagant as Keyana’s! Can you share your inspiration for this story? As a kid I was, and still am, a big dreamer. I wanted to create a series that features a little Black girl who not only dreams big, but who also makes big plans to bring her ideas to fruition. However, sometimes Keyana’s plans don’t go exactly as she hoped–which also happens in our real lives. But Keyana doesn’t give up. Instead she comes up with new, and sometimes better ways to manifest her vision. I also wanted Keyana to be surrounded by a loving group of family and friends, complete with its own cast of quirky and fun characters. These are the folks who believe in Keyana and her dreams, and are there to support and help her to make them reality. Lastly, like you, I was also inspired by my family movie nights. Ours weren’t as elaborate as Keyana’s either, but we did have certain rituals–like going to the video store (when there was such a thing) to pick out movies, setting up our snacks, and jockeying for the best spot on the couch. Yes, loving support and family rituals are everything! What overall message do you hope readers will take away from this book? Encouraging young people to cultivate a sense of resiliency, of openness to trying again, or exploring new approaches when something doesn’t work out the way you planned, is a fundamental theme/message of the book. There are so many discouraging forces in the world that can thwart plans or stunt our ideas. I want kids to believe in their ideas and dreams, but also to become comfortable with the experience of failure–not to expect failure, but to have the fortitude, inner-strength, and confidence to keep going, even when the world tells you no, or that you can’t do the thing you set out to do. There are multiple paths to success. Related to this, I wanted to inspire kids to dream big, even when they have no idea how they will bring those dreams to fruition. I always credit my mother, but she taught us from an early age to “go to the top,” to go after what we want and not short-change ourselves by thinking small. This is not always easy, because the world often only shows us a narrow slice of what’s possible, especially when it comes to images of Black folks and our accomplishments and experiences. I love Keyana’s confident voice. Was it a natural choice for you to use a first person point of view? Or did you experiment with different perspectives? What else can you share about your writing process for this new series? Keyana’s character is inspired by the protagonist of my classic picture book, I Love My Hair! In fact, the series was initially envisioned as a continuation or spin-off from that book. So, in this new iteration of Keyana, I really wanted to bring her whimsical and creative personality, which we get glimpses of in I Love My Hair, front and center. First person point of view was a natural choice to achieve this. And just like Keyana uses fantastical imagery to describe her hair, I wanted to showcase the ways that Keyana finds and creates magic in the things that she does in her everyday life. When I started the series, I looked at series characters like, “Fancy Nancy”, to get a sense of how other authors developed their characters and stories over time. Then, I came up with a whole list of ideas for adventures that Keyana could have. I also thought about some of the underlying themes that I wanted to embed in the stories, with the evolution and growth of the character in mind. This kind of gave me a roadmap for the series. When it comes to writing, I am a dedicated outliner. I use outlines as a way to develop the story. This takes a good amount of time, but by the time I’ve finished my outline, I know the story so well, I am able to write it very quickly. It’s worth investing that brainstorming and development time up front. The illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow are vibrant and expressive. How did you feel when you saw the final layout? Do you have a favorite spread? I loved Charnelle’s fun and whimsical illustrations. I felt that they really captured Keyana’s personality, as well as the warmth of her family members. I also appreciated the level of detail that Charnelle included that showcased Keyana’s home life and cultural elements, e.g Keyana’s bedtime bonnet. I think my favorite spread was the movie spread where all of the family members are shown together. Your publishing credits include other acclaimed picture books. Can you talk a bit about your journey as an author? I started writing when I was seven years old, and started publishing (poetry) when I was a freshman in high school. Although I knew I would always write, I didn’t have a sense of how to actually build a career as a writer. Therefore, the winding path of my career has enabled me to have diverse professional experiences: attending law school (finished but never practiced), becoming a reporter at Fortune magazine, working at a nonprofit mentoring youth in journalism and the publishing process. I finally figured out that what I really wanted to do was to write books. After writing two books for adult readers, an anthology called, Testimony: Young African Americans on Self-Discovery and Black Identity, and a family memoir, Girl in the Mirror: Three Generations of Black Women in Motion, I decided to narrow my focus to children’s literature. I have written several picture books. I have also published an acclaimed middle grade mystery, The Harlem Charade (Scholastic), and am currently working on a new middle grade series with a supernatural theme, which will come out in 2024. I have also branched out into writing for children in other mediums. I am the writer and co-creator of a children’s mystery podcast, “Opal Watson: Private Eye” (Pinna). I am also working on a new podcast adaptation of my novel, The Harlem Charade, as well as developing a new animated television show for preschool-aged kids. I am passionate about telling great stories that inspire children, and I enjoy exploring multiple media platforms to do so. What advice would you give to aspiring picture book authors? I always suggest that aspiring writers read as many books as they can in the genre that they want to write. This is especially true of picture books. I find picture books to be very challenging to write sometimes, because you’re packing a lot of story into such a compact format. I always get a lot of ideas from reading other picture books, because the writing can be so unique and creative–seeing how other authors make the most of these small spaces. I would also advise others to get comfortable with the revision process. I always write out all of my ideas in early drafts, and then pare the manuscript down as I go along. I love the name of your new media company, Voonderbar! Can you tell us about its origin and mission? I studied the German language from second grade up through college. Voonderbar is a play on the German word, wunderbar, which means wonderful. My mom and I started this company together. The mission of Voonderbar is to create exciting, inspirational, and educational stories that help kids to discover, celebrate and actualize the many facets of who they are. We wanted the name of the company to literally embody that sense of joy and wonder. We took a long hiatus, but are now starting up again, developing projects that incorporate new technologies and tell stories across multiple media platforms.  As an acclaimed and bestselling children's book author, who has been writing for over 20 years, Natasha Tarpley is passionate about telling engaging stories that both entertain and educate audiences across multiple media platforms. She uses her writing as a tool to change and expand narratives around Blackness and Black people, to create spaces where kids of color can relish in their reflections on the page/screen/airwaves, and to inspire children of all backgrounds to envision themselves in new ways and to tell new stories. Natasha is the author of the classic picture book, I Love My Hair!, an ode to Black childhood and natural beauty, which is a favorite among readers and educators around the world. Natasha is also the author of Keyana Loves Her Family, which is book one of a new picture book series. Her other titles include the award-winning picture book, The Me I Choose To Be, and the social justice-themed middle grade mystery, The Harlem Charade. Natasha is also the Writer and Co-Creator of the award-winning children’s narrative podcast, Opal Watson: Private Eye (Pinna.fm), and is currently developing new children’s podcast and television projects with major media outlets. Natasha is also the founder of Voonderbar! Media, an independent children’s media company. Learn more about Natasha at: www.natashatarpleywrites.com Facebook: Natasha Tarpley Instagram: @NatashaTarpley  Kirstie Myvett interviews Tameka Fryer Brown about her latest book, TWELVE DINGING DOORBELLS! KM: Hi Tameka, I’m super excited to talk with you about Twelve Dinging Doorbells! I have a soft spot for holiday books and stories that feature intergenerational families and TDD has it all. TFB: Thanks, Kirstie! Family, food, humor, and bright colors. That's everything you need for a joyful picture book, right? KM: This book is obviously inspired by the popular Twelve Days of Christmas song, but please tell us the details of how this story came about? Also, did you set out to write a counting book, a holiday book, or both? TFB: Believe it or not, the book was actually inspired by #ThanksgivingwithBlackfamiles. I search out that hashtag every year as the holiday season approaches, just to laugh and feel in community with Black folks throughout the country about all the various things our families and family gatherings have in common. I wrote the first draft of Twelve Dinging Doorbells in December of 2017, just a few days before Christmas. So when I think about it, the story itself may have been inspired by the Thanksgiving hashtag, but the framework I used to tell it was inspired by the time of year that I started drafting it. For me, it was never about writing a counting book, per se, though I did realize that would be an added feature of the structure. Nor was I ever focused on any particular holiday. My intention was always to honor Black family gatherings in general.  KM: You mentioned that Twelve Dinging Doorbells is filled with humor, family, food, and all the things that make holidays so special. How much of your own family traditions and experiences did you weave within this story? TFB: A lot. When I was growing up, my granny’s house was the place to be for all major family gatherings—holidays, monthly birthday celebrations (if you know, you know), and even Sunday dinners. Extended family members would often swing by on Sundays for a plate—usually one to eat and one to take. Looking back, I am amazed at how many of us would be squeezed into that small house of hers. Whenever my family got together, the vibe was always loudness, laughter, and love. It was accompanied by the most delicious food, including my granny’s sweet potato pie. Granny was not capable of cooking anything not-delicious, but her potato pies were my absolute favorite. KM: The illustrations by Ebony Glenn are beautiful. What were your thoughts upon seeing Ebony’s final depictions? TFB: knew when Ebony signed on to be part of the project that the book would be gorgeous. She’s Ebony Glenn, after all. And of course, she didn’t disappoint. Even in the sketch phase, the joy, love, and silliness in her drawings had me smiling at my computer screen. The energy is palpable and the diversity of personalities shine through in every scene. Add the rich, vibrant colors on top of all that--using cut paper collage (!!)—and there’s no doubt that Ebony has created a masterpiece.  KM: I think this book is sure to become a classic Black family holiday book. But I also think children and families in different cultures will enjoy and relate to it because the themes of family, food, and love are all universal and transcend race. What do you hope children will take away from this book? TFB: I wholeheartedly agree with you, Kirstie. I hope children will glean from it whatever it is they need from it: laughter; pride; a sense of being seen, celebrated, and valued; insight; connection; entertainment and education; and joy. Infectious joy. I also hope they’ll read and enjoy it the whole year through. KM: What is your advice to authors interested in writing a holiday picture book? TFB: Come at it from a place of impactful memory, I suppose. Reflect on the holiday memories that are most emotional for you and start crafting from there. Which is really the advice I’d give on writing about any subject. Identify the emotional impact you want to have and create based on that. KM: How do you plan on celebrating your launch? TFB: My official book launch was at Park Road Books on October 22nd. On November 15th, we plan on doing a virtual gathering where myself, Ebony Glenn, viewers, and a few special guests will come together to share a virtual meal (or a favorite dish), laughter, memories, and the importance of connection. Keep an eye on my social media for more details on our virtual gathering in the coming weeks. KM: What’s up next for you? TFB: I have two more picture books coming out very soon: Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm’s Fight for Change (illustrated by Nina Crews; published by Millbrook Press, November 1, 2022) and That Flag (illustrated by Nikkolas Smith; published by HarperCollins, January 31, 2023). In the fall of 2024, I will have another picture book coming out with FSG called You Are (Ode to a Big Kid), and that will be illustrated by Alleanna Harris.  Tameka Fryer Brown is a picture book author whose titles include the Charlotte Zolotow Honor-winning My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood and Brown Baby Lullaby, winner of the 2021 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award. Her work is also featured in the widely-acclaimed anthology, We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices.
Brown’s forthcoming picture books include Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm's Fight for Change; and That Flag, a story about best friends divided over the meaning and significance of the Confederate flag. You can learn more about Tameka at tamekafryerbrown.com. Images from Twelve Dinging Doorbells, published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC Text copyright © 2022 by Tameka Fryer Brown, Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Ebony GlennImages from Twelve Dinging Doorbells, published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC  An interview by Kirstie Myvett and Ana Siqueira KM: Hi Ana, congratulations on your latest book, If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja. What inspired you to write this Halloween story? AS: This story is based on a real story that happened to me, but it wasn’t during Halloween. I guess the Halloween was something I included to add some spookiness, but I believe this is a book you can read the whole year. My story: One day I was at the beach with my three-year old daughter. She didn’t want to leave. I had to use my teacher’s voice to say - We need to leave NOW! And that’s when she started yelling and crying for three blocks - walking - that I was not her mom. I was a witch. Imagine my embarrassment. So that was the inspiration for my story.  KM: Holiday stories seem to be very popular. How long were you on submission with this book and what was the process in getting it signed? AS: I revised this book while taking a class at Children’s Book Academy. In the end of the class, there was a showcase. Alyza Liu, the editor from Simon&Schuster asked to see it. My agent submitted it to her. She replied within a month. We closed the deal a few weeks later and after a few months everything was signed. KM: There are many Spanish terms in the book that children will have fun learning. Is this something you include in all of your stories? If so, why? AS: I am a Spanish teacher and my blended family speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese. I believe learning Spanish in this country is so important. So my goal is to 1: motivate everyone to learn this beautiful language 2. Make the children who speak this language to be proud of their cultural and heritage.  KM: Halloween is often categorized in the scary holiday category but you’ve depicted a really fun story for children. Tell us why you chose that depiction vs. scary/horror? AS: I wanted to show that we shouldn’t judge people or brujas based on stereotypes. I believe in this book, each reader can decide if the babysitter is a real bruja or it’s all imagination. But no matter what, they will see she is nice and sweet. So, don’t judge a bruja by her sombrero. KM: Irena Freitas’ illustrations are bright and lively. What did you think when you first saw them and did you offer illustrator notes for this project? AS: I had some art notes since the girl is an unreliable narrator. But Irena did much more than I expected. Through all the details and the character’s expressions, Irena made us dive into her imagination and live an aventura with her. KM: How are you spending Halloween this year? Are you having any public readings or signings? AS: I have a lot of events at libraries, bookstores and schools. It will be super fun. I will be doing an event online with the Miami Library, if anyone is interested in coming. KM: What project(s) are you working on next? AS: I have some other books coming out. But the project of my heart now is a story, based on my experience as a domestic violence survivor. And yes, it’s a picture book. I believe we can write about any topic if we can make it understandable and relatable to the little ones.  Ana Siqueira is an award-winning author from Brazil who cackles but doesn’t wear hats. When not flying with brujas, she teaches Spanish to adorable little ones, where she casts a learning spell that nobody can resist.
Some of her books are BELLA’S RECIPE FOR DISASTER/SUCCESS (Beaming Books, 2021) IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA/ CUANDO TU NIÑERA ES UNA BRUJA (SimonKids,2022), BOITATA: SNAKE OF FIRE (Capstone 2023), ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA/LA SUPERCAPA DE ABUELA (HarperCollins 2023), OUR WORLD BRAZIL (Barefoot 2023), ROOM IN MAMI’S CORAZON (HarperCollins 2024).  KM: Tell us about how you landed this exciting opportunity to write a children’s board book about Egypt? AK: So the way I landed this awesome board book deal is pretty unique! On Twitter one day, an Egyptian illustrator (Hatem Aly and I love his illustrations - dream illustrator for one of my books one day for sure!) tagged me after a Barefoot editor, Kate DePalma, asked if there were any Egyptian authors out there. A couple more people tagged me also. I connected with Kate right away before the holiday season of 2021. She explained the Our World board book series and I fell in love. What I love the most about the series is that Kate sought out both authors and illustrators whose backgrounds are from that country.  KM: What kind of timeline or deadline were you given? Was it difficult to work in such a short amount of time? AK: I think I was given a few weeks. I was brainstorming over winter break and jotted down ideas. Kate sent me the layout, another work-in-progress for an Our World book and more information about the series. We sent each other edits throughout a couple of weeks. The most challenging part was getting the English pronunciation of the Arabic words correctly. I also tend to write longer picture books, so I loved the challenge of keeping the board book very short! KM: Were there any experiences you had while visiting Egypt that are included in the book or helped shape the book in any way? AK: I didn’t get any inspiration from when I was there recently, but I got ideas from when I used to visit in the summer as a child and teenager and even young adult. I looked at old pictures I took and even videos I used to record. I remembered specific details of walking along the busy streets of Alexandria with my cousins, and stopping by the fruit stands. I even tried to remember the smells and sounds. It was a lot of fun using my childhood memories in this beautiful book. KM: There’s an intergenerational connection in the book. What made you include that representation for young readers? AK: I feel like all of my books have some type of intergenerational connection (and food!). I would say it’s part of my author brand now ha! I loved the dad and daughter joy presented in the book. Grandparents are highly valued in Arab society, and it’s very common for adults and their children to visit the grandparents often in Egypt. Some even live in the same building or neighborhood. While I don’t live in Egypt, I still obviously visit my parents and I love the connection between grandparents and grandkids, so I wanted to include that.  KM: What were your thoughts when you saw Magda Azab’s illustrations for the first time? Which one is your favorite? AK: I couldn’t stop smiling and screaming “THIS IS SO CUTE!!!!" The colors, the lines, the faces. Everything was so perfect and magical. She truly brought my words to life in the most beautiful way. She’s also Egyptian but lives abroad, like me, so we both brought our personal experiences into this board book. There’s so many favorites. I love the grandparents scene, because there’s so much joy in it, but I also love the simplicity of the toddler and her dad walking along the corniche, enjoying the little things in life. KM: How have your children and family reacted to this book? AK: They loved it. My youngest is now three, so it’s such a perfect book for her and she thinks the main character is her. Everyone else was so excited to see it digitally and I can’t wait for them to see it in print KM: Do you have plans to celebrate the release? If so, what are your plans? AK: I’m not quite sure yet! I was invited as a guest at a local farmer’s market so I’ve been coordinating with my local bookstore and publisher to see if we can sell it a week before the official release date and I hope it works out! KM: What’s up next for you? AK: The Night Before Eid comes out in March 2023 from Little, Brown and it’s illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. The Banned Books Bake Sale comes out in 2023 from Tilbury House and it’s illustrated by Anait Smeridzhyan. Readers can find out more about these upcoming titles at www.ayakhalil.com Make sure you enter our Instagram giveaway to win an advanced copy before it officially launches in October!  Freelance journalist and blogger Aya Khalil, holds a master’s in Education with a focus in teaching English as a second language. She’s been featured in Teen Vogue, Yahoo! Book Riot and other publications. Her work has been published in The Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, Toledo Area Parent and many others. She’s done sensitivity readings for DK Publishing/Penguin.
Aya is a picture book author and is represented by Brent Taylor of Triada US Agency. Her debut picture book The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story was published February 18, 2020 by Tilbury House. She is also an adjunct instructor at the University of Toledo. Besides writing and teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and exercising. She does author visits at libraries and schools and sensitivity readings. Contact her for details. You can learn more about Aya at http://ayakhalil.com.  
Aya Khalil: Salam Alaikum, S.K. Ali! I am so excited to be interviewing you again for Kidlitincolor.com. I just finished reading Love from Mecca to Medina and I needed a few days to process it all! Wow, what an amazing book. First thing's first, can you tell us how long it took for you to write it and any challenges along the way? S.K. Ali: Walaikummusalam! Excited to be back at Kidlitincolor.com! Brewing this book took a year but the writing itself took a few months, with two intense months of marathon writing (see below why this is my process!) The challenges were juggling the expectations of writing a romance in which the couple were already in love at the start of the book, as well as the sacred nature of their journey. That was a hard feat! AK: I personally have been to Mecca and Medina twice, and I love all of the descriptions in the book. If I'm not mistaken, I believe you also went recently? Were you writing the novel at the same time? How was your experience there while writing it, or writing it after you came back. SK Ali: Actually, my most recent trip to Mecca and Medina was a while back in 2015. But I have a trove of cumulative memories from having visited periodically over the years since I was a child; I relied on these while writing, as well as the efforts of kind people who recorded their trips and uploaded them onto YouTube. This visual research was especially important to make notes on more recent developments at the holy sites. I didn’t want to get things wrong so I verified and cross-referenced my memories with current video evidence from other pilgrims. Watching such precious, personal vlogs revived the feelings of awe I felt during my own visits in years past and, I feel, contributed to infusing Love from Mecca to Medina with vivid emotional and visual descriptions. So, thank you YouTubers! AK: I love the many layers in the book; the struggles Zeynab faces in college: trying to do it all as a college student but also facing microaggressions and struggles in her love life. I love that she's not the "perfect Muslim" and actually didn't really want to go to Umra at first, and even when she did, she didn’t really enjoy it at first. That really resonated with me personally because we're not perfect humans (lol!) and sometimes book reviewers will point that out. Can you tell me why you think it's important to have Muslim characters with flaws? SK Ali: I love that you loved that! I choose to write characters struggling because when you’re committed to ideals/ways-of-living that vary from the greater society around you, struggling on a grand scale is part of the equation. In any kind of fiction, it’s unrealistic to write characters who get it right all the time or who don’t need to grow; actually, that would be a pretty bad book, lol. In terms of Muslim characters, especially Muslim characters who are trying to be committed to their faith, it’s important to communicate the struggle as it is. It brings in all the elements of good storytelling: conflict, tension and finding something and someone to root for. It’s just honest and compelling art to record our – often lowly – humanness. AK: I am interested to know, as I'm sure many readers, what your process is like in writing your novels. Do you have everything planned out? Do you use mood boards, sticky notes? Please tell us how you geniusly write these novels, including Love from Mecca to Medina. SK Ali: I’m a reformed Pantser – and that capital “P” is there for a reason! (My reformation came due to multiple DEADLINES – all caps! – happening simultaneously soon after my debut novel.) This new reformed-me must know all the major beats in a story, almost every character’s arcs, themes, framing elements, etc. before I start writing. I find doing all of that work upfront (that is what I meant when I said Love from Mecca to Medina brewed for a year) makes the writing process quicker and tidier. I absolutely love free-writing scenes and letting my creativity take the characters places but now I allow that freedom within little assigned descriptors that aid in the completion of the plans I have for the story. Some people find the story after they cough up a messy draft, honing in while writing multiple drafts, whereas I find the story in the midst of messy notes and doodles (I use storyboarding to work out beats and important scenes) and images I gather. This allows me to deliver a pretty clean manuscript with most (not all, of course) of the kinks worked out beforehand (in the planning stages) on time. This is how I’ve written all my novels, except for Saints and Misfits. AK: What's next for you? Any more books following Zeynab? How about Janna? I love that Janna made an appearance in this book and the role she played, and the ending (ahh!) SK Ali: Zayneb’s and Janna’s stories came to a conclusion in Love from Mecca to Medina – I spent a lot of time planning that season finale in the epilogue! As for what’s next: I’m switching gears and in the process of finishing a speculative fic duology, as well as a humorous historical fiction YA novel I’m co-writing AND an adult rom-com. (But, I’m not going to lie, Adam, Zayneb and Janna’s books are always going to be my favorite children!) AK: Would you like to add anything else about you or your book? SK Ali: Just something that I get asked often: what order should we read your novels? To get the full, immersive experience in this universe I’ve created for these characters (which fans call the “Zaydam” universe, to which Janna interjects with, “ahem, it’s the ‘Janna-Zaydam’ universe” because her story was first!): Saints and Misfits, Love from A to Z, Misfit in Love, The Eid Gift(a free novelette available at Rivetedlit.com) and then Love from Mecca to Medina. I hope you get a chance to read them all! AK: Where can readers find you and purchase Love From Mecca to Medina? SK Ali: They can find me at my website, skalibooks.com, on Instagram and TikTok at @skalibooks and on Twitter at @sajidahwrites. Love from Mecca to Medina can be purchased here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-from-Mecca-to-Medina/S-K-Ali/9781665916073  KidLit in Color members Kirstie Myvett and Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow discuss Jamilah's latest picture book, Hold Them Close: A Love Letter To Black Children. KM: Hold Them Close, A Love Letter To Black Children, touches on the complexities of Black children’s feelings in a poetic but very real way. You open with examples of happiness then seamlessly delve into the heavier stuff that Black children must, unfortunately, face. Tell us why embracing both the happy and sad is so important for Black children. JTB: When I began writing this book, it was in response to Black pain. I wanted a way to help children manage their feelings about our collective and ongoing traumas. Yet and still, I wanted to affirm that they are deserving of joy. I wanted to affirm that at heart, we have always been a people who find and make joy in spite of the most unimaginable cruelties. We are a people who have created and continue to create culture and beauty in spite of oppression. KM: I believe this book is powerful and that it will be a tool to help children explore their feelings alongside their parents, teachers, and classmates. When you wrote HTC, did you think about the potential dialogue that would take place around it because you so eloquently address what I imagine children are feeling during difficult, “bigger than sadness” times? JTB: I did write with a hope that this book would serve families and communities in having necessary conversations. Unfortunately, I know we will need ways to navigate continued racism, and I do hope this book is a support in doing that work. It’s hard to talk about “sadness bigger than sadness” in picture books because we want stories for children that are light. Our kids need that. Nevertheless, there are moments when life just isn’t light and when it’s impossible to shield our children from heavy realities. I wrote this book for those moments, wanting it to be a comfort and a tool in those moments.  KM: The illustrations and photography really drive your message home. While looking at the cover, I was overcome with memories of my own sons when they were little. I became very emotional looking at the stunning images throughout the book. Please tell us about illustrator Patrick Dougher and photographer Jamel Shabazz, whose artwork and images grace your book. JTB: I sometimes tear up when I look at the images. Patrick Dougher is an acclaimed Brooklyn-based fine artist who works in many mediums including major city murals and has also worked with youth in his community as an art therapist. While this is his first book, he’s his own institution in the art world. Jamel Shabazz is a legend. He has documented New York City neighborhoods for decades. He is from Brooklyn and his photography has been shown in books, documentaries, and exhibitions. I adore his loving portrayals of the models in the book, especially the children. I still can’t believe I was able to have both of these artists work on my book.  KM: What is the message you want Black children to get from this love letter? JTB: You are loved, you are worthy, you are heard, and we got you when times are hard. Hold on to who you are, hold on to your joy, and always, always, ALWAYS hold on to hope. KM: I feel children of other races will also benefit and gain empathy from reading HTC. What is your message for non-Black children who, out of curiosity, pick up this book with its compelling cover? JTB: I think the message above could apply to them as well. In addition to that, I hope they are inspired by Black resistance and resilience. I hope they see our shared humanity.  KM: What do your boys think of Hold Them Close? JTB: The oldest has told me it inspires him, which is heartening. The youngest seems to appreciate the language and images. I hope it builds up their sense of self. KM: Lastly, how will you celebrate your launch? JTB: I’m excited that I’ll be celebrating on launch day with the community organization, Start Lighthouse Foundation, because it will mean celebrating with many children in the Bronx. While I’m not from there, I have done multiple school visits in that borough, and it always feels like home when I go there. I also am looking forward to upcoming events local to Philadelphia, including a story time with Children’s Book World during launch week and an event with the African American Museum of Philadelphia later this fall (date TBD). KM: Thanks so much for stopping by Jamilah and congratulations on your latest book!  Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, M.S.Ed, is a Philadelphia-based, award-winning children’s book author. A former English teacher, she educated children and teens in traditional and alternative learning settings for more than 15 years. As an inaugural AMAL fellow with the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative (MuslimARC), she developed foundational curricular frameworks for youth and adult anti-racist programming. Her picture books and middle grade fiction, which feature young Black and Muslim protagonists, have been recognized as the best in children’s literature by Time Magazine, Read Across America, and NPR. These works include Mommy’s Khimar and Irma Black Award Honor Book, Your Name is a Song. In addition to producing children’s literature, she invests her time in mentorship of aspiring children’s book authors through multiple programs including We Need Diverse Books: Black Creatives Fund and the Muslim Storytellers Fellowship of the Highlights Foundation where she is also a committee member. You can learn more about Jamilah at http://jamilahthewriter.com. Illustrations by Patrick Dougher and photography by Jameel Shabazz and copyrighted.
Interview with Allysun Atwater about I Am Thinking My Life By Rashmi Bismark RB: Hi Allysun! Congratulations on your gorgeous debut picture book, I Am Thinking My Life, illustrated by Stevie Lewis and published by Bala Kids, an imprint of Shambhala Publications. As a mindfulness + yoga facilitator and mom, there is so much I absolutely love about this story. It’s empowering and life-affirming. It so beautifully depicts the power of intention, thought, mindfulness, and action through the heart of a child. Tell us some of your inspirations behind creating a story like this. AA: Sometimes I just get the tiniest spark of an idea - usually just an idea for the title of a story. Then I start writing and a story takes shape almost fully formed. When this happens, I often don’t know what I’m creating or really where it comes from. It just arrives, and suddenly it seems like it’s been there all along. This was the case with I Am Thinking My Life. However, I can think of a couple of concrete moments of inspiration for the book, retrospectively. One is that my daughters attended a play-based school called Bing Nursery School on Stanford’s campus, when I was in law school. The thing I loved most about Bing was that it was this beautiful indoor and outdoor wonderland for children with a cornucopia of elaborate opportunities for activities. Bing gave children the agency to choose how they could spend much of their time each day. I appreciated how empowering that was in an age when children are so scheduled and helicoptered. It had such a strong impact on both of my daughters who have always been very introspective and creative. Once I Am Thinking My Life was born, I fell in love with the idea that it featured a character who had that power to choose how she would actively engage herself, and also to marvel at the joy of having that freedom to think and dream. The other inspiration is my observations of all of the life-building and creative energy that goes on around us. People are constantly “thinking their lives” in really unique and compelling ways, and I feel more positive in my own mindset just from experiencing and witnessing other people’s thoughts manifesting as all kinds of amazing creations.  RB: Stevie Lewis’ art is stunning! Through your beautiful words, we learn about the power of being with and envisioning one’s life. Through Stevie’s artwork, we also learn so much about the main character’s personality, her family, and her dreams for herself. What influenced some of the artistic choices? Were you able to have input on how the art was telling the story as well? AA: I agree. Stevie’s artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I feel fortunate to have been able to contribute many of the ideas for the artwork. I actually wrote extensive art notes detailing the plot and narrative structure of the illustrations. Stevie based the majority of the book’s illustrations on them. Of course, she added her own interpretation to the illustrations. The characters’ appearances are all her creation, and I was delighted to see that the main character and her mother had locs, because we definitely need to see that representation in picture books. What I was hoping for was just to see our main character in the excitement and, sometimes frenzy, of discovery regarding the power of her thoughts. There is some experimentation, and some amazing introspection happening. I wanted to see the character experiencing that realization not only for herself, but for the way it positively affects her family and friends, and the way it impacts her future. I also wanted to work in the realization that no matter how positive our thoughts are, there will be storms, whether those are moods or events that create a negative experience. Sometimes we have to ride those negative emotions out, and experience them for what they are. But the goal should be to get back to a place of positivity when that becomes possible, even if it takes some time and effort to access that inner light and those inner resources again.  RB: I love that reminder that even through the storms, we can search within and uncover illumination. Can you share with our readers, what are some ways you nourish yourself in stormy times? AA: That’s such an insightful question. I went through quite a few stormy times before I wrote this book. From having to reroute my career due to illness, to losing my baby brother – my only sibling, the summer before I wrote my first draft of this book, I had what felt like some monsoons happening in my life. But storms are a part of life, and they have their own humbling beauty. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family and amazing friends. Spending time with them is definitely one of the main ways I nourish myself in stormy times. Also, I love story. And, fortunately for me, story is everywhere— in poetry, in picture books, in songs, in paintings, in television shows and in movies. I love to get absorbed in a transporting story, whatever the medium. I love a gorgeous sunset too. I try to watch the sunset every evening that isn’t too overcast. Nature can really put life’s metaphorical storms into perspective, and soothe and help heal us. I also try to meditate often. And, of course, there is writing, which is an amazing, cathartic outlet for those of us who want to unleash its power. RB: The book closes with a heartfelt letter from you and a wish for dreams, hopes, and continued belief in ourselves. What are some of your dreams and hopes as you now enter the field of children’s literature? What thoughts are you currently thinking for your life? AA: This is another lovely question. I absolutely hope to continue writing books and, hopefully, reach the readers that need my words and stories the most. I think every writer would love to write an award-winning bestseller and experience phenomenal success, and I won’t claim that I’m any different. I love to dream big! I think the most important thing, though, is to answer the call of creativity and share my creations with the world. I’m a bit of a recluse, and I have a tendency to want to hide my talents away, but writing this first book has forced me to set some of those tendencies aside and bring myself out into the open. And it has come with some beautiful rewards. Readers that have read I Am Thinking My Life have started reaching out to me in meaningful ways, telling me how much this book has meant to them, and sending me pictures of their darling children with the book, and I can’t even begin to describe how much that means to me. Also, to go to a Barnes & Noble, a library, or an independent bookstore and see my book on the shelf is probably always going to be a pinch me moment for me – especially in light of the reverence I’ve always had for bookstores and libraries. So that is already a beautiful dream realized. Now, “I am thinking my life” as a (someday) seasoned author, and hoping for more opportunities to continue to engage in this inspirational work.  RB: Thank you, Allysun, for joining us on the KidLit in Color Blog! Is there anything else you’d like to add? AA: Thank you so much for inviting me, Rashmi! This has been an amazing honor. I wish you and the rest of the Kidlit in Color authors all the best!  Allysun Atwater is the author of I Am Thinking My Life, illustrated by Stevie Lewis and published by Bala Kids. She is an educator, and non-practicing attorney. Allysun grew up in Odessa, Texas where she was a quintessential 80s latchkey kid and an avid reader with an insatiable love of the library. Allysun is a graduate of Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a bachelor’s degree in English, Stanford Law School with a juris doctorate, and Stanford University with a master’s degree in education. Allysun lives in the Houston area with her husband, twin daughters, her mother, her nephew and two spirited Shih Tzus.
Website: www.allysunatwater.com Instagram: @allysunatwater Twitter: @allysunatwater This month is AAPI heritage month. Please tell us what it means to you. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are an integral part of the American cultural mosaic, encompassing a wide range of diversity. There are many different Asian diasporic cultures and experiences, and we need more stories that span all reading levels and in different genres. I hope more AAPI authors will feel compelled to write stories for our young people. I hope agents and editors will solicit our stories from our talented writers and illustrators. And I hope librarians, educators, and parents will work hard to connect young people with our stories. As an educator, how do you address Asian American Pacific Islanders missing from books or being depicted using stereotypes? I encourage educators to reflect on how they are presenting AAPI history, cultures, and communities within their classroom. All students need to develop positive self-identities and learn to understand and respect the identities of others. In my debut picture book, Meena's Mindful Moment, young readers are introduced to a diverse story that reflects some of their experiences and/or exposes others to the wider world. We need more books that celebrate diverse AAPI cultures, communities, and people.  Tell us about your MG historical fiction book, Orange For The Sunsets. We see a lot of Historical fiction written by AAPI writers. These books are how we acknowledge our past. We see that in my MG book about the expulsion of Asian Indians from Uganda. It is not merely my history but a living, vital part of our present...how that historical event shaped a community. These stories are an attempt to capture the texture and richness of a wide scope of experiences, recent or distant, and to share the future we hope to see.  What does the phrase "We Need Diverse Books" mean to you? We hear that phrase quite a lot in the book industry and in the education environment. However, when we say, "we need diverse books," we don't mean books by marginalized people that are only for marginalized people. Everyone needs diverse stories. Being able to imagine someone else's life vividly enough to feel it within yourself is how we reshape culture and unlearn false ideas. As an educator for over thirty years, how do you feel about the fight for the removal of books in school districts and public libraries? All children have a right to quality education and access to books that reflect their communities. Books can be used as tools to develop anti-racist foundations and help students think critically. Across the county, school boards are removing, or fighting to remove, books by non-white authors instead of diversifying our stacks. Presently, marginalized groups are absent from our K-12 public education core curriculum or represented by a very small percentage. How can we move forward and build a more cohesive world, if we cannot see all of us in it together?  Tina Athaide was born in Uganda and grew up in London and Canada. While her family left Entebbe just prior to the expulsion, she has memories of refugee family and friends staying with them in their London home. The stories and conversations she listened to through the years became the inspiration for her book Orange for the Sunsets. Tina now lives in California with her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Isabella.
You can learn more about Tina at https://tinaathaide.com/tinaathaide.com/  Kirstie Myvett interviews author Michelle Coles on her debut novel, Black Was the Ink. Congrats on your debut Black Was the Ink! I’m a HUGE historical fiction fan and I’m so glad I read your book. It’s now one of my favorites. Tell us what inspired you to write this book. Black Was the Ink was inspired by the Mother Emanuel massacre that took place in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015. At the time of the massacre, I was on maternity leave from my job as a civil rights attorney, and I struggled with how to prepare my infant son to enter a world filled with so much inexplicable hatred towards people who look like him. I was surprised to learn that Denmark Vesey, the leader of one of the largest attempted slave rebellions, founded the congregation that became the Mother Emanuel Church, and Pastor Richard ‘Daddy’ Cain, one of the first Black members of Congress, led the church during Reconstruction. Also, Booker T. Washington spoke there, and Coretta Scott King led a protest on behalf of striking hospital workers from the church’s steps where she was met by bayonet-wielding members of the South Carolina National Guard. Suddenly, the link between slavery, the collapse of Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and present-day racial injustices crystallized for me, and Black Was the Ink was born.  Your transitions from modern day scenes to the 19th century flowed so naturally. Did you set out to write a contemporary/historical book or did it just happen that way? I did. Because I wrote Black Was the Ink with my children in mind as the audience, I wanted to write something that they could relate to while gaining a deeper understanding of how the past influenced the present. Having a kid from the present travel to the past so he could see for himself what it was like for Black people as they were emerging from slavery seemed like the perfect way to do that. Readers will certainly appreciate the rich historical stories weaved throughout the book. (I especially enjoyed seeing one of the Downing’s mentioned since I’ve been working on a book about the patriarch for some time.) I know your background as a civil rights attorney played a role in your vast historical knowledge, but tell us about your process and how long it took you to compile all this research for the book? Surprisingly, I hardly knew anything about the Reconstruction Era before I started writing Black Was the Ink. I figured that if I, as a 9th generation Louisianan, civil rights attorney, and HBCU law graduate, didn’t know this history, who would? I loved writing this book because I was able to unearth a fascinating and extremely consequential period in American history and present it in a way that was both entertaining and easy to understand. I spent about 9 months researching the Reconstruction Era before I began writing. Some of my resources included: · Philip Dray’s Capitol Men, a non-fiction account of the first Black members of Congress; · W.E.B. Dubois’s groundbreaking Black Reconstruction, which was one of the first books to challenge the dominate narrative that white supremacists peddled which claimed the Reconstruction Era was an abject failure; · Several books by Eric Foner, the preeminent modern scholar on the Reconstruction Era; · A first-hand account of John Roy Lynch, a Black Congressman from Mississippi in the 1870s, called The Facts of Reconstruction · Charles Lane’s The Day Freedom Died about the Colfax Massacre · But my favorite resource was the Library of Congress’s Congressional Record because it gave me access to the actual words of the first Black member of Congress from floor debates. Although these came out after I had written my manuscript, Henry Louis Gates’ documentary Reconstruction and Netflix’s Amend are also excellent.  I truly loved and cared for the protagonist, Malcolm, a lot. He’s such a well-rounded kid, and you captured his voice perfectly. I had many laugh out loud moments, especially when he would use modern lingo in the 19th century and catch himself. I’m curious how you nailed that voice down so well. Thank you! My husband was a big help. He would read drafts and sometimes say, “A guy wouldn’t talk like that!” Also, I am a mom of 4 boys. They are all young, but I tried to imagine their teenage selves. And I have been blessed with really great friendships with guys my whole life, including my twin boy cousins that are the same age as me. Tragically, one of the twins died in a car accident right before the book went to print, so I changed the name of Malcolm’s cousin to Kliff (one of Baton Rouge’s finest) in honor of him. Their voices were all with me as I wrote Black Was the Ink. Malcolm’s relatives embody southern hospitality. Did you rely on your own memories of visiting family in the south to create that familial bond? Definitely. I was born in Baton Rouge and most of my extended family still lives there, so southern hospitality is natural to me and what I embody no matter where I am physically. You come to my house, you’re gonna be treated like royalty and eat good! What do you want young readers to get from Black Was the Ink? I hope this story makes Black children feel proud and empowered from witnessing the strength of their ancestors. I want them to know that no matter what they are taught in schools, Black people have always been more than slaves. The Reconstruction Era is proof because we came out of slavery READY: ready to learn, ready to reunite our families, ready to innovate, ready to own land and businesses, and ready to participate in democracy. I want them to know that the inequalities and injustices that they see and experience are not their fault. It’s not because Black people didn’t work hard or try. It’s because some people used the immense power of our government to keep Black people from enjoying the privileges of American citizenship. For white children and children of other races, I want them to feel empowered to be a part of the change that is necessary to make America a more just nation. I want them to look at the pervasive racial inequalities that exist and question their root cause. I want them to use their voice as part of the American Majority to demand that we undo the harm caused by denying Black people equal citizenship rights for centuries.  Malcolm’s illustrations throughout the novel are really special. Tell us about the illustrator and what were your thoughts when you saw those sketches. My publisher, Lee and Low, found the illustrator Justin Johnson, and I think he is incredible! He is a middle school art teacher in Washington D.C., which was perfect since Malcolm was from Washington D.C., and he captured Malcolm’s style and essence beautifully. His interior art was magical and really helped to bring the past to life. When I saw how everything came together, I was overjoyed! What are you working on now? I am writing a historical fiction novel about the Haitian Revolution that also has a past to present angle. My husband is Haitian-American so my children are half-Haitian. I’m excited to write something to help them understand this part of their background better. What are your favorite writer tools, apps, etc.? I am really bad at keeping up with technology. My phone and computers are usually at least 5 years old, and I only got on social media last year to help spread awareness about my book. I’m not aware of any apps (but please let me know if you have a recommendation), but I do use excel. Since my stories involve multiple timelines, an excel spreadsheet is really helpful to keep those threads organized. When I’m not writing you can find me….? Hanging out at home with my husband and four sons. They are my pride and joy and whom I am doing all of this for. What are you currently reading? I’m grateful that someone recommended that I read Stephen King’s On Writing. What a great resource for writers! I’m also reading several books about Haiti including The Black Jacobins, Haiti: the Aftershocks of History, and Dear Haiti, Love Alaine. Do you have any advice for aspiring MG/YA authors? I would suggest that they think about what kinds of stories they needed when they were young that would have had a positive impact on their development and worldview and then get to writing!  Michelle Coles is a debut novelist, experienced civil rights attorney, and mother of four. She is a proud graduate of Howard University School of Law and the University of Virginia. As a 9th generation Louisianan, she is highly attuned to the struggles that African Americans have faced in overcoming the legacy of slavery and the periods of government-sanctioned discrimination that followed. Her goal in writing is to empower young people by educating them about history and giving them the tools to shape their own destiny. You can keep up with her work by signing up for updates on her website: www.michellecoles.com or following her on Instagram @michellecolesauthor. For speaking engagements, Michelle is represented by The Lavin Agency: https://www.thelavinagency.com/michelle-coles. |
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