picture books

Before I became an English professor, I taught young children for several years.  Back then I often incorporated picture books in my lesson plans and not just when I was covering language arts topics.  When I taught children about science, for example, I found that many of the kids in my classes gained a better understanding of the scientific concepts that I was covering when I included science-related picture books. Even though I had not yet come across the phrase “visual learners,” I came to realize that many of the kids in my classes learned best when I shared with them visually engaging presentations of information in the form of picture books. I am pleased to report four such picture books have recently come out by Charlotte picture books authors/illustrators.   

I Fuel by Charlotte author Kelly Rice Schmitt and illustrated by Jam Dong traces the story of petroleum from the days of the dinosaurs to the present.  Schmitt focuses on fossil fuels, but she also covers alternative energy sources, such a solar and wind power. She provides children with straight-forward information about how ancient life forms become oil and then how oil is refined into fuels.  She does not shy away from the problems associated with the use of fossil fuels, such a global warming. 

A Credit Card Takes Charge by Charlotte author Kimberly Wilson and illustrated by Mark Hoffman introduces children to the uses and misuses of credit cards through telling the story of an anthropomorphic credit card.  The story is amusing, but the book contributes to children’s understanding of financial literacy.  This book relates to Wilson’s two previous picture books about currency—A Penny’s Worth and A Dollar’s Grand Dream.

I Dream for You is written and illustrated by the Charlotte husband and wife team of David Wax and Brett Blumenthal.  Wax provides the text, and Blumenthal provides the pictures.  Intended for young children, this book conveys to children the dreams that their parents have for them as they grow up.  In the process, however, this book provides information about a wide variety of animals, including mountain gorillas, big horn sheep, and bald eagles.  Blumenthal’s illustrations of these animals are strikingly beautiful.

Disgusting Dinner by Charlotte author Roxanne Falls and illustrated by JP Roberts is a humorous story about a monstrous dinner party featuring all sorts of “gross” foods, but it is also a story about the value of being open to trying different types of food.  It’s a funny book, but it subtly encourages children to be respectful of diverse culinary traditions. 

These four pictures books are very different from each other, but they all lend themselves to introducing children to information and concepts.  They all also contribute to Storied Charlotte’s reputation as a hub of talented writers and illustrators of children’s books.

I had the pleasure of meeting the Charlotte picture-book author Tameka Fryer Brown in person earlier this month when we both participated in the “Freedom to Read” panel discussion event sponsored by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.   During this panel discussion, we talked about the importance of providing children with books that address the realities of American society and history, including the issue of racism. In this context, Tameka mentioned her new picture book titled That Flag, which deals in part with the history of the Confederate flag.  Although I had previously read some of Tameka’s earlier picture books, I had not seen That Flag.  When the panel discussion ended, I asked Tameka if I could take a look at her copy of That Flag.  She handed it to me, and I read it right away.

Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith and published by HarperCollins, That Flag is told from the point of view of Keira, a Black girl growing up in the contemporary South.  Her best friend is Bianca.  Although Keira and Bianca are from different racial backgrounds, they see themselves as “almost twins,” especially when they are at school.  However, Bianca’s family flies the Confederate flag in the front of their home.  The display of this flag creates a tension between Keira and Bianca, and this tension intensifies when Keira begins to learn about the history of the Confederate flag.   Tameka does an excellent job of presenting the history of this flag from its origins during the Civil War to its contemporary associations with various racist hate groups, but she always keeps her focus on the relationship between Keira and Bianca. 

A few days after the “Freedom to Read” panel discussion, I contacted Tameka and asked her how she came to write That Flag.  Here is what she sent to me:

On June 17, 2015, a young white man attended evening Bible study at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. At the conclusion of the class, he took out a gun and began shooting the church members. He killed nine of them. The investigation into this mass shooting revealed the murderer to be a white supremacist whose goal in targeting the historically significant Black church had been to initiate a race war. The investigation also unearthed several social media posts with photos showing him brandishing the Confederate flag.

As if the mass murders had not been devastating enough, a public debate arose soon after about that flag, as to whether it was indeed a racist emblem used throughout history to terrorize and oppress, or merely an innocuous and misunderstood symbol of Southern heritage and pride. So many people seemed to be either ignorant or in willful denial about the Confederate flag’s problematic origins and contemporary use, I knew a more fact-based truth about its history needed to be shared with our children as early as possible. Studies have proven that signs of racial prejudice can be seen even in preschoolers, thanks to the societal messaging they receive daily. To have any hope of abating bigotry, seeds of empathy, equity, and justice must consistently and intentionally be planted in kids’ hearts while they are untainted and receptive enough to fully embrace them. As a children’s book author, writing That Flag was my way of doing all of the above.

That Flag is a picture book about best friends divided over the meaning and significance of the Confederate flag. Unfortunately, no publisher was willing to buy it in 2015. A couple of editors suggested I rewrite it as a middle grade, but my heart was convinced it needed to be a book for younger readers. With no takers, I put the story away and focused on other manuscripts.

In 2020, the tide turned. As our country was purportedly in the midst of a “racial awakening,” I decided to tweak it a little and send it out again. This time, multiple editors expressed interest in the story and it went to auction. Between the book’s sale in 2020 and its publication this year, the book-banning movement in the United States has intensified significantly. To date and to my knowledge, however, That Flag has yet to be challenged or placed on any banned lists. For that, I am sincerely grateful.

As a Southerner, born and bred (with almost 30 of those years spent as a Charlottean), I pray That Flag will not only spark conversation among young readers and adults about the true origins and history of the Confederate flag, but that it will also provide insight and understanding as to the degree of fear and emotional pain the public veneration of it continues to cause so many Americans…including me. Surely there are more unifying, less traumatic representations of Southern heritage we can all celebrate.

For readers who want to know more about Tameka, That Flag, and her other picture books, please click on the following link:  https://tamekafryerbrown.com/

I congratulate Tameka on the publication of That Flag.  I enjoyed reading it, and I think it would appeal to anyone in Storied Charlotte who is committed to providing children with books that acknowledge the true complexity of our history.

Two New Picture Books for the New School Year – The other day I stopped by Park Road Books where I ran into Sherri Smith and Halli Gomez, two of the people who work at the store.  Both Sherri and Halli regularly read my Storied Charlotte blog posts, so we chatted a bit about the blog.  I asked them if they were aware of any new books by Charlotte authors that I should feature on my blog, and they told me about the recent publication of several picture books by Charlotte authors and illustrators.  When I expressed an interest in taking a look at these books, they scurried out from behind the front desk and started handing me picture books.  Here’s some information about two of these new picture books, both of which are perfect for the start of a new school year.

The first book that Sherri and Halli showed me was Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes.  Derrick is an award-winning Charlotte author whose previous children’s books include I Am Every Good Thing and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received a Newbery Honor Award, a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, and the Ezra Jack Keats Award.   Like Lava in My Veins is illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough, a well-known comics artist.

Like Lava in My Veins has the look of a superhero comic book.  It features a young superhero named Bobby Beacon, who has the power of “light and fire.”  The story begins with Bobby enrolling in the Academy of Kids with Awesome Abilities where he meets other kids who have superpowers.  Bobby biggest challenge is learning how to control his hot temper, but an understanding teacher helps him learn how to stay calm and use his powers for good.  Like several of Derrick’s other books, Like Lava in My Veins celebrates the creativity and potential of Black boys. 

For more information about Derrick and his books, please click on the following link:  https://derrickdbarnes.com/

The second book Sherri and Halli brought to my attention was Shy Robin and the First Day of School, which is both written and illustrated by Jaime Kim.  Born in South Korea, Jamie moved to the United States at the age of eighteen.  She now lives in Charlotte.  Jaime has pursued a successful career as an illustrator of picture books by various authors, but she has recently turned to both writing and illustrating picture books, including Ready for the Spotlight!

Shy Robin and the First Day of School is intended for young children who feel anxious about going to school.  This story is about Robin, a shy hippo who wants to hide as soon as she enters the classroom.  On her first day of school, she meets Marco, an otter who is also shy.  As the story progresses, Robin and Marco forge a friendship.  On the surface, this picture book is about the experience of starting school, but on a deeper level it’s a story about overcoming fears, making friends, and gaining self-confidence.

For more information about Jaime and her books, please click on the following link: https://www.jaimekim.com/

Like Lava in My Veins and Shy Robin and the First Day of School both deal with the complex feelings that children experience when they start school.  These emotions change as children grow older, but the start of a new school year always elicits a mixture of excitement and anxiety no matter how old the students might be.  These two new picture books by Storied Charlotte authors can help kids deal with these emotions and make their new school year a big success.

When I visited Park Road Books the other day, I took a look at their display of recent books by area authors, and that’s where I saw Brandon Reese’s latest picture book, Cave Dada Picky Eater.  I enjoyed Brandon’s Cave Dada, which came out in 2020, so I decided to check out his new book.  As soon as I picked it up, I noticed a cover sticker with the words “Autographed Copy” on it.  The person behind the counter told me that Brandon had recently stopped by the store to sign copies of his book.  She mentioned that he didn’t just sign the books—he also included original drawings along with his signature.  She was right.  I opened the book, and in the front, I saw a wonderful sketch of Cave Dada and his son.  Needless to say, the book is now part of my picture book collection. 

Brandon’s Cave Dada picture books are funny accounts of the misadventures of a Stone Age father and his toddler son Baba.  In the first book, Baba wants his father to read him a bedtime book, which takes more effort than one might expect since Baba’s books are made out of stone.  Cave Dada resists because he is tired from hunting and gathering all day, but of course Baba wins the day, or in this case, the night.  In the process, Cave Dada accidentally discovers how to make a fire.  In the second book, it’s morning and Baba wants an egg for breakfast, but Cave Dada is all out of eggs. What follows is a series of mishaps as Cave Dada tries to entice his son to eat something else for breakfast.   In the end, Cave Dada finds an egg and accidentally invents the omelet in the process of cooking it. 

While creating these books, Brandon draws on his own experiences as a father.  His own son is now a teenager, but Brandon remembers well the parenting experiences he had when his son was little.  These experiences are reflected in the humorous adventures of Cave Dada and Baba.   As is stated on the dust jacket for Cave Dada Picky Eater, Brandon “has ample experience cooking breakfast for picky eaters.”

In creating his picture books, Brandon also draws on the support of other children’s authors and illustrators who live in the Charlotte area.  I asked him for more information about this support network, and here is what he sent to me:

My goal has always been to be an author and illustrator of picture books. I struggled for quite some time trying to gain traction in the industry. Eventually (and thankfully!) I found SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and joined a local critique group here. Charlotte is rife with talented and published kid-lit authors and illustrators. It’s a wonderful, supportive community that’s certainly aided my career. 

If I remember correctly, CAVE DADA was the first manuscript I brought to my critique group. I figured I was on the right track when it was read aloud and everyone laughed at the right spots. Eventually, it was sold in a 2-book deal with Chronicle Books. The second book, CAVE DADA PICKY EATER, just came out this April… just in time for Father’s Day!

For readers who want to know more about Brandon and his picture books, please click on the following link:  https://www.brandonreese.com/about/  For readers who want to know more about the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, please click on the following link: https://carolinas.scbwi.org/  For readers who are interested in Father’s Day stories that have connections to Storied Charlotte, I highly recommend Brandon’s Cave Dada picture books.