KRLemmons 28 Days Later Campaign, African American Young Adult Literature, African Authors, Children's literature

The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Campaign:Day 27: Oge Mora

I’m thrilled to welcome Oge Mora to the Brown Bookshelf, just weeks after her debut picture book, Thank You, Omu, was named a Caldecott Honor book, an Ezra Jack Keats Award winner, and — woohoo! — a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner! (Yes, I am definitely Kermit the Frog arm-flailing as I [ Read the full article… ]

Source: Day 27 : Oge Mora

KRLemmons 28 Days Later Campaign, African Authors, Children's literature

The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Campaign Day 11

* “My goal is to focus on crafting stories for global audiences inspired by my Ugandan heritage. Set primarily in East and Southern Africa, my stories aim to illuminate the everyday and diverse experiences of African children, while celebrating human universality.” says Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl on Mater Mea. And with its celebration of both the […]

via Day 11: Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl —

KRLemmons African American Biography, African Authors, Resources

April 25 Poet of the Day: Kwame Dawes

April 25 Poet of the Day is Kwame Dawes.  Born in Ghana, Kwame Dawes later moved to Jamaica and spent most of his childhood and early adult life there.  In addition to poetry, Kwame also writes fiction, nonfiction and plays.  Read about this multitalented artist here:

Additional resources about Kwame Dawes:

Poets.Org: http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/2118, http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22007

Poetry Archive: http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=17247

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/kwame-dawes

PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/uwm/dawes.html, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/poet-kwame-dawes-remembers-uncle-kofi-awoonor-with-reading-of-the-weaver-bird/

Calabash Interview: http://www.nyu.edu/calabash/vol5no1/0501115.pdf

Kickstarts Fund for African Poetry: http://www.dailynebraskan.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_db86abbe-0b67-11e2-88e2-001a4bcf6878.html

YouTube Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puv51J7RBXo When Disaster Strikes (Haiti): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DsSpTUQuSg, Poetry reading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx5Vohf5rW0

KRLemmons African Authors, Resources

Ambassadors for Literacy

Walter Dean Myers was recently appointed  the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress.  He is an excellent choice for this position.  He is a prolific writer of children’s and young adult books, and he relates very well to children and young adults.  I believe Myers will be very influential and successful in this role.  I wish him Godspeed.  For more information on this announcement, click on LOC.

Another person championing for literacy and books is Yohannes Gebregeorgis.  A native Ethiopian, he co-founded Ethiopia Reads, a philanthropic organization committed to bringing literacy to the children of Ethiopia.  He has a facebook page so you can learn more about him and his organization.

I’m sure there are more well-known “ambassadors” or “champions” for literacy.  If you know of some, please feel free to let me know.  However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention public librarians, library media specialists, teacher-librarians, educators, and others who promote reading and literacy.  Each time you read a story, or suggest a book to a reader, you are an ambassador for literacy and reading.  Whether or not your name is mentioned in a local or national paper, just know that you are making a difference in the life of a child or young adult.  Keep up the good work!