Although I enjoy painting all ethnicities,
in Children's books my focus is to depict distinctive
images of brown people. I choose to illustrate manuscripts
that shed light upon historical figures and give a sense
of dignity to the many cultures on this planet. The
disproportionate compositions and elongated figures
are meant to be a directional device for the viewer,
my own natural inclination, and a challenge for the
viewer to break away from the established fundamental
belief that all children's books must be realistic or
cute. I take chances with each project and do what is
necessary to make the art interesting and unique.
I see every manuscript is an opportunity
to explore the emotional ranges within the text. Some
of my books are endearing such as "Jazz Baby"
or "Yesterday I Had the Blues" while others
are a bit tougher, like "Only Passing Through;
The Story of Sojourner Truth" or the other biographies
that recount historical events and circumstances. I
feel that "tough" books have their place in
the spectrum of children's books because it's a chance
to prepare readers for the reality of the life ahead
of them. Use your own judgment as to which subject matter
and style of my books speak to you visually but also
know that I adapt my style accordingly. I encourage
you as the viewer to embrace each book as its own single
part of a whole body of work.
The original images from these books are for sale at
storyopolis
or in my online
store.
buy
my books at amazon.com
The Sun's Daughter
by Pat Sherman
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books (March 28, 2005)
ISBN: 0618324305 |
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The Champ
by Tonya Bolden
Reading level: Ages 4-12
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (December
28, 2004)
ISBN: 0375824014
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Keep Climbing, Girls
by Beah E. Richards
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
(January 1, 2006)
ISBN: 1416902643
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America: My Land, Your Land, Our
Land
by W. Nikola-Lisa
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st ed edition (June
1, 1997)
ISBN: 1880000377
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Deshawn Days
by Tony Medina
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover/ Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st ed edition (May
30, 2001)
ISBN: 1584300221 / ISBN: 1584302283
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Hot City
by Barbara M Joosse
Reading level: Ages 4-8Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Philomel Books; 1st ed edition (June 1, 2004)
ISBN: 0399236406 |
Love to Langston
by Tony Medina
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st ed edition (February
1, 2002)
ISBN: 1584300418
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Only Passing Through: The Story
of Sojourner Truth
by Anne Rockwell
Reading level: Ages 8-12
Hardcover/Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Dragonfly Books; Reprint edition (December
10, 2002)
ISBN: 0679891862/ISBN: 044041766X
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Ruler of the Courtyard
by Rukhsana Khan
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Viking Books (March 1, 2003)
ISBN: 0670035831 |
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Richard Wright and the Library Card
by William Miller
Reading level: Ages 4-12
Hardcover/ Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st edition (October
1, 1997)
ISBN: 1880000571 /ISBN: 1880000881
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Stars in the Darkness
by Barbara M Joosse
Reading level: Ages 4-12
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (January 1, 2002)
ISBN: 0811821684
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The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by
African American Children
by Davida Adedjouma (Editor),
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover/ Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st ed edition (September
1, 1996)
ISBN: 1880000415/ ISBN: 1880000768
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Yesterday I Had the Blues
by Jeron Ashford Frame
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover
Publisher: Tricycle Press (August 1, 2003)ISBN: 1582460841
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Rock of Ages: A Tribute to the
Black Church
by Tonya Bolden
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1st edition
(December 26, 2001)
ISBN: 0679994858
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Brothers in Hope: The Story of
the Lost Boys of Sudan
by Mary Williams
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (April, 2005)
ISBN: 1584302321 |
Ghost Girl: A Blue Ridge Mountain
Story
by Delia Ray
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books (September 22, 2003)
ISBN: 0618333770
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Keesha's House
by Helen Frost
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st ed edition
(April 2, 2003)ISBN: 0374340641
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Follow-Up Letters to Santa From
Kids Who Never Got a Response
by Tony Medina
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Just Us Books (December 15, 2003)
ISBN: 0940975750 |
Spellbound
by Janet McDonald
Reading level: Young AdultHardcover/Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (December 1,
2003)
ISBN: 0374371407/ISBN: 014250193X
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Twists and Turns
by Janet McDonald
Reading level: Young AdultHardcover: 144
pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition
(August 15, 2003)
ISBN: 0374399557
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Chill Wind
by Janet McDonald
Reading level: Young AdultHardcover: 144
pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (October
22, 2002)
ISBN: 0374399581
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Loving Donovan: A Novel in Three
Stories
by Bernice L. McFadden
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Dutton Books (February 1, 2003)
ISBN: 052594706X
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Thanks & Giving : All Year
Long
by Marlo Thomas
Reading Level: Ages 4-10
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
(November 2, 2004)
ISBN: 0689877323
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