Time Flies

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted. But I've been putting my time to good use. I wrote a couple of new picture books this summer and polished one I wrote this spring. I read a lot -- Angela Johnson, Jane Yolen, Bebe Moore Campbell. I outlined my writing goals.

Now, I'm back, inspired and ready to soar.

Here's some good news:

My story, Finding My Voice, was selected to appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School. The book debuts Nov. 4.

One Million Men and Me is a semi-finalist in the multicultural picture book category of the Moonbeam Awards. Here's a link to all of the semifinalists:

http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?pa ge=1250

My website has been redesigned by TyWebbin (www.tywebbin.com). You can check it out at: www.kellystarlinglyons.com.

Thank you for your support.

Wonderful Mother's Day Picture Book

I remember playing dress-up with my cousins. We would run upstairs and raid my grandma's closet, delighted by the brocade, satin and polyester dresses we found. Each cousin had her favorite look. I loved anything with pink or red. I would slip the dress over my head, slide my feet into wobbly high heels and pretend to be grown. It was a fun and memorable time.

This Mother's Day, I got to relive that memory with my daughter. We pulled out a special book, Mama's Saris (Little Brown, 2007), and journeyed with a girl who helped her mother pick out a sari and dreamed of wearing one herself.

Mama's Saris, written by Pooja Makhijani and illustrated by Elena Gomez, is a sweet tale that celebrates a beautiful part of Indian culture and a magical bond that exists between mothers and daughters.

Essay Contest Winners Announced

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Just Us Books' "Most Memorable Moment With My Father" essay contest. So many outstanding essays came in. The winners were announced this morning.

Here's the link to find out who won and read excerpts of first- and second-place essays and other wonderful submissions:

http://www.justusbooks.com/modules/content/index.php?id=87

I am so proud of what the children shared. Thanks again for helping to celebrate fathers and father-figures and their important bond with children.

Read Across America

Monday, I participated in a Read Across America celebration, sponsored by the Durham Association of Educators at Northgate Mall. Often, I go places and the children have never heard of the Million Man March. But this time, a young man proudly shared that it was a gathering where a million men stood as one.

Then, I asked if anyone had heard of the 1963 March on Washington. Hands shot up all around. "Dr. King was there," one girl exclaimed. Another one shouted out the title of his famous speech: "I Have a Dream." I asked if they knew that Rosa Parks, Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Rev. Jesse Jackson were not just at the March on Washington, but at the Million Man March too. Their faces showed delight and surprise.

When the children saw a slide show of images from the Million Man March, their mouths gaped as they took in the sea of men who came together that amazing day. They nudged each other and pointed at the screen. They stared in amazement and smiled wide. The spirit of the March swelled their hearts with pride.

Most Memorable Moment with My Father contest

The entries are in. I'm so moved by the wonderful essays children wrote for the Most Memorable Moment with My Father contest (http://www.justusbooks.com/modules/content/index.php?id=87) launched to honor outstanding men and celebrate the publication of One Million Men and Me. In a couple months, Just Us Books will announce the first and second place winners in each age category. But every child who entered is a winner. So are the men.

I felt such a lift reading the essays. There were stories of dads who took kids to amusement parks and fishing, fathers who bought daughters their first bouquet of roses and danced with them at father-daughter banquets, grand-daddies and uncles who treated young people to movies, taught them family history and checked their homework.


Then, there were other stories -- children who longed for a connection with their dads. They wrote about wanting someone to pick them up and whirl them in the air, someone to make them feel safe and wrap them in fatherly love. Just as these children revealed the ache they felt when a father wasn't around, they offered thanks for having other positive men in their lives -- brothers, mentors, teachers, preachers -- who stood in the gap and gave them the affirmation they needed.


Thank you for sharing your stories! It's said that sons need fathers. Daughters do too. Children soar when good men are a part of their lives.


So cheers to all of the wonderful dads and men who put in the work every day, who are committed to being there for children. The wounds of missing a daddy run deep. So do the rewards of having a father or father-figure around. Studies have shown that kids with positive men in their lives do better in school, their self esteem and joy rises.


Part of the beauty of the Million Man March was its focus on fortifying the family and transforming lives. Men came together to make a difference. I am proud One Million Men and Me celebrates that spirit.


The writing contest gave children the chance to pay homage to the wonderful men who make their lives brighter. Here is a memory of a great man, my grand-dad Thurman Starling (pictured above), who enriched mine:


One of my most memorable moments with my grand-dad was reading him essays and stories I wrote for school. He would close his eyes as he soaked in my words. Sometimes, he'd listen in silence. Other times, he'd murmur "mm-hmm" or "that's alright." When the last word hung in the air, Grand-dad would open his eyes and grin. With one raised eyebrow, he'd offer the kicker: "Are you sure you wrote that?"

Every time, I would laugh and reply, "Yes, Grand-daddy." It was our joke and a special compliment. He would pull me close and hug me. In his arms, I felt such affirmation and love. My grand-dad was a smart, caring man who didn't get a chance to finish college but devoted his life to learning and growing. He passed that quest for knowledge onto me. Receiving praise from him was like being showered with sunshine. It kept me writing and believing I was on the right path.


Thank you, Grand-dad, for being there.

Here are some organizations, events and publications that celebrate fathers and children and help their connection thrive:

http://www.fatherhood.org/
http://www.blackstarproject.com/
http://www.coachtonypierceoutreach.org/
http://www.proudpoppa.net/
http://www.daddyuniversecity.com/

The Blessing of Basil

Today, I'm missing a dear friend, Basil Oliphant Phillips, who meant so much to so many. Basil, distinguished retired photo editor for Johnson Publishing Company and director of special markets and promotions for JPC's book divison, was a committed and caring supporter of the Coretta Scott King Awards. He also introduced me to the world of children's book publishing.

Basil took me to my first American Library Association conference. He made sure I met important people in the industry including Wade and Cheryl Hudson of Just Us Books, who would later give me my first two book deals. He took me to a dinner where I got to greet the wonderful McKissacks, who would one day mentor me at the Writers Workshop at Chautauqua. He encouraged my dream of writing for children.

The kind of spirit Basil possessed is brilliant and rare. He was a historian who had the pictures in JPC's famed photo files -- known as the world's most definitive collection of black photographic images -- committed to memory and could find just the shot he was searching for in moments. He was a nurturer who kept extra trench coats and umbrellas in his office at the ready in case someone was in need. He was a gentleman who walked on the street side and shuddered to think of someone beating him to hold open a door. He had a heart so big that giving was not just a nice thing to do, it was his instinct.

But make no mistake: Basil was no softie. He had a tongue so sharp it could cut you if you weren't looking ;). His charm endeared him to many.

When I moved South, Basil and I stayed in close touch. He came to my wedding, proudly sent my baby daughter delightful dresses and signed the elegant cards with love from Uncle Basil. He was so happy to hold her on his lap at his room in the Warren-Barr Pavilion. I wish I had a picture that captured that moment. But it's etched in my mind.

When I think of Basil, I remember how he led by example, showing us in the younger generation the joy of giving back by taking us to sickle cell benefits and history society luncheons where we proudly sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing." I remember his twinkling eyes, sweet smile, his generosity, grace and sass. I remember the yellow flowers he loved.

I miss him a lot, but I'm so grateful God gave me the chance to know him. Basil passed away on August 27, 2007. His spirit lives on. Today, on his birthday, I celebrate his life and legacy. The world is a better place because you were in it, Basil. Thank you for your love, kindness and support.

One day, I'll tell the children your story. Until then, I carry you always in my heart.

I love you,

Kelly

Black History Month and Beyond

As part of The Brown Bookshelf team, I've learned so much about the many African-American authors and illustrators creating books for children. My pride swells with each story I read. Our Black History month celebration, 28 Days Later, kicked off Feb. 1 with a spotlight on Newbery Medal winner, Christopher Paul Curtis. Each day, we bring you another interview with African-American children's book authors and illustrators both vanguard and under-the-radar. Please help us celebrate their amazing work by reading their profiles at http://www.thebrownbookshelf.com/ and spreading the word. You can also download a color poster featuring all of our honorees for your school, home or library: http://www.dontate.com/BBS28Poster.pdf.

I spoke to a Chicago educator recently and was reminded why what we're doing is necessary. He runs a program that brings male volunteers into elementary schools to read to children. He's hoping to feature more stories with boys of color. But it can be hard to find them. Through The Brown Bookshelf and our 28 Days Later campaign, we're hoping to make searches for books by black children's book authors and illustrators a little easier. Below, I compiled a list of picture books featuring African-American boys and a few sites where you can find recommendations of other quality books that feature African-American children as main characters.

Happy Black History Month! Let's salute the work of African-American children's book authors and illustrators not just in February, but year-round. Thank you for your support.

PICTURE BOOKS FEATURING AFRICANAMERICAN BOYS:

Creativity (Clarion, 1997) by John Steptoe, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Keepers (Lee & Low, 2000) by Jeri Hanel Watts, illustrated by Felicia Marshall

Joe-Joe's First Flight (Knopf, 2003) by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

The Bat Boy and His Violin (Simon & Schuster, 1998) by Gavin Curtis, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

I Dream of Trains (Simon & Schuster, 2003) and Wind Flyers (Simon & Schuster, 2007) by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long

Wings (Scholastic, 2000) by Christopher Myers

The Jones Family Express (Lee and Low, 2003) by Javaka Steptoe

I Told You I Can Play (Just Us Books, 2006) by Brian Jordan, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

Young Pele: Soccer’s First Star (Schwartz & Wade, 2007) by Lesa Kline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome

Bippity-Bop Barbershop (Little, Brown, 2002) by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Jamal’s Busy Day (Just Us Books, 1991), by Wade Hudson, illustrated by George Ford

Uptown (Henry Holt & Co, 2000) by Bryan Collier

Little Cliff's First Day of School (Dial, 2001), by Clifton L. Taulbert, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

For more wonderful reads featuring African-American children as main characters, please visit sites like http://www.justusbooks.com/ and http://www.blackbooksgalore.com/.

Here are a few more resources for finding recommended books:

http://www.ncte.org/library/files/Programs/African_American_Readin/Booklist2-2008.pdf

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6527344.html

http://kids.nypl.org/reading/black_experience_list_2004.pdf

http://www.library.uiuc.edu/blog/esslchildlit/

http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/books/c384

http://www.nea.org/readacross/resources/afambooks.html