Draft Trailer

My Blog Has Moved

My blog has a new home. October 5, I'm kicking off my two-week virtual tour there in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Million Man March. There will be interviews, guest posts, notes from kids, giveaways and more. Thank you for your support.

Celebrating Dads

Too often, we just hear stories about dads who aren't there. But there are so many fathers who are. They are teachers, comforters, heroes, friends. They are protectors, motivators, providers. And they're all around us -- even in the world of children's books.

Forget about fairytale perfection. These storybook dads are the real deal - strong black men with individual experiences and concerns but with a shared devotion to their children.

Here are some picture books that celebrate African-American fathers and father figures:

FATHERS

The Bat Boy and His Violin (Simon & Schuster), a poignant story of a boy whose father -- coach of a Negro League team - makes him bat boy and comes to appreciate his special musical gift, written by Gavin Curtis, illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

I Dream of Trains (Simon & Schuster), an eloquent tale of a boy who dreams of riding the rails with his hero, engineer Casey Jones, and discovers his own father is a hero too, written by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long.

In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall (Lee & Low), a collection of poems saluting black fathers, by Javaka Steptoe. In this moving volume, rising and renowned children's book authors such as Carole Boston Weatherford and Angela Johnson share the many ways fathers touch our lives.

Daddy Goes To Work (Little, Brown Young Readers), a sweet tale of a girl accompanying her father to his job and getting a peek at his working world, written by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Aaron Boyd.

A Day with Daddy (Teaching Resources), a lyrical look at a boy's weekly visit with his dad, written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Nicole Tagdell.

One Million Men and Me (Just Us Books), a special view of the Million Man March through the eyes of a girl who was with her daddy the day black men made history, written by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Peter Ambush.

Bippity Bop Barbershop (Little, Brown Young Readers), a touching trip with a boy who braves his first haircut by having his daddy at his side, written by Natasha Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

Joe-Joe's First Flight (Knopf Books for Young Readers), a beautiful tale of how a boy's dream of flying gives wings to his father's - and their town's - hope, written by Natasha Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

Kevin & His Dad (Little, Brown Young Readers), a fun day just for the guys, written by Irene Smalls, illustrated by Michael Hays.

FATHER-FIGURES

When I Was Little (Just Us Books), a boy and his grand-dad share a nostalgic fishing trip, written by Toyomi Igus, illustrated by Higgins Bond.

My Pop Pop and Me (Little, Brown Young Readers), a boy spends a sweet day making lemon cake with his grand-dad, written by Irene Smalls, illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson.

Janna and the Kings (Lee & Low), a girl learns that even when her grand-dad is gone, his spirit remains, written by Patricia Smith, illustrated by Aaron Boyd.

When I Am Old with You (Orchard Books), a boy imagines being old with his grand-dad and sharing happy times with him, written by Angela Johnson, illustrated by David Soman.

Your Dad Was Just Like You (Simon & Schuster), a boy's grand-dad tells him stories that help the child understand his father better, written and illustrated by Dolores Johnson.

Recommended Reading

Sometimes months pass before I discover that One Million Men and Me has made a recommended reading list. So I celebrate every time I see it included. I'm grateful to the librarians and teachers who share my book in this special way.

Here are some lists on which it has appeared:

CCBC Choices 2008
http://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/34118

New York Public Library's The Struggle for Civil Rights: Books for Children, K-6
http://acorngraphicsnyc.com/pdf/Booklet.pdf

Baltimore County Public Library's African American Kids' Books
http://www.bcpl.info/centers/library/aabooklist.html

Detroit Public Library's 2009 African American Booklist
http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/downloads/2009_AABL.pdf

Cincinnati Public Schools: 2009-2010 Suggested Books for Free-Time Reading
http://www.cps-k12.org/Parents/RdgList.pdf

Kent District Library - Recommended Reading Lists for Kids: Celebrate Black History Month!
http://www.kdl.org/categories/752

Metropolitan Library System (Oklahoma): Spotlight on . . . Black History Month
http://www.mls.lib.ok.us/mls/mls_spotlighton/africanamerican/black_history_08/PictureBooks/juvenilePictureBooks.pdf

June Book Club

I hope you and your children enjoyed the books we read for April. Here are the selections for the June book club. Please share what you think in the comments and post a review on Amazon.com. Thanks for your support:

For lower elementary:

Yesterday I Had the Blues by Jeron Frame, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Black Magic by Dinah Johnson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

For upper elementary:

Ruby & the Booker Boys by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

April Book Club Selections

I hope you and your children enjoyed the books we read for February. Here are the selections for the April book club. Please let me know what you think.

Lower Elementary:

Clothes I Love to Wear by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by Laura Freeman

Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crabcakes Later) by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, illustrated by James Ransome.

Upper Elementary:

The Hat That Wore Clara B. by Melanie Turner-Denstaedt, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Virtual Book Tour - One Million Men and Me

This fall marks the 15th anniversary of the Million Man March. I'll never forget the beauty of a sea of black men gathered in purpose and peace. Witnessing that historic event and seeing a little girl there with her daddy inspired me to write my picture book, One Million Men and Me (Just Us Books). The book, illustrated by Peter Ambush, celebrates the March and a father-daughter relationship.

Since my book's debut, it has been my mission to share the story with as many kids as I can. I've participated in national events like the Multicultural Book Festival at the Kennedy Center and African American Children's Book Fair, presented at regional conferences and given author visits at many libraries and schools.

But in honor of the upcoming anniversary -- October 16 -- I'd like to share One Million Men and Me in a new way. Beginning Oct. 9 and ending on the 16th, I will do a virtual book tour that will include blog Q&As, new printable activities, giveaways and more.

Often when I ask young people if they've heard of the Million Man March, they shake their heads no. But I hope after hearing One Million Men and Me, a piece of that important day comes to life.

Please join my FaceBook author page for multicultural book recommendations, news about my writing and updates on the virtual book tour. Thanks so much for your support.