KRLemmons African American children's literature, African American Fairy Tales, African American folktales, African American Illustrators, African American Picture Books

September 14 of September is Black Reading Month: John Steptoe

Heavenly birthday wishes John Steptoe! Born September 14, 1950, John Steptoe was an African American author and illustrator children’s books dealing with aspects of the African-American experience. He is best known for writing Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, which is noted for its presentation of African culture. He died in 1989.

The John Steptoe New Talent Award is established to affirm new talent and to offer visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustration which otherwise might be formally unacknowledged within a given year within the structure of the two awards given annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee.

Other notable books:

KRLemmons African American Artists, African American Authors, African American autobiography, African American children's literature, African American Illustrators, African American Picture Books, African American Poetry, African American Poets

365 Black Books Ashley Bryan Monday

Heavenly birthday wishes Ashley Bryan! Born July 13, 1923, Ashley Bryan was a phenomenal award-winning poet and artist. He often wrote and portrayed the African American experience. He died in 2022. Here are just a few of his beautiful works:

KRLemmons African American Art, African American Artists, African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American History, African American Illustrators, African American Nonfiction

365 Black Books Kadir Nelson Sunday

Belated birthday wishes Kadir Nelson! Born May 15, Kadir Nelson is an award winning author, illustrator, and artist. His work has appeared on several New Yorker covers. He is the 2026 Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award for his body of artwork. Here are some of his notable works:

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Illustrators, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Young Adult Literature

365 Black Books Fun Friday with a classic and some books from the 2025 BOTB booklist

Today, it’s about having fun on a Friday. Starting with:

Book 1: Water, Water a classic by Eloise Greenfield; illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Book 2: Soggy Like Cush Cush by Karly Pierre; illustrated by Kristen Uroda.

Book 3: Black Diamond Kings by Charles R. Smith; illustrated Adrian Brandon

Book 4: Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson