WHEN I MOVE, my upcoming book for the youngest readers. releases April 29, 2025. Illustrated by Alea Marley, this picture book will get kids moving and imagining! Bouncy rhymes will inspire little ones to jump, run, and explore. Pre-order here.
Month: March 2025
My First STEAM Book–Whirligigs: The Wondrous Windmills of Vollis Simpson’s Imagination–Lands on 2 Best Book of the Year Lists!
I am pleased to announce that my first STEAM book, WHIRLIGIGS: THE WONDROUS WINDMILLS OF VOLLIS SIMPSON’S IMAGINATION, was selected by the National Science Teachers Association as a best book of the year and by the Children’s Literature Assembly as a 2025 Notable Book in the Language Arts. Profiling North Carolina folk artist Vollis Simpson, whose towering whirligigs are truly amazing, the book is about creativity and invention. Constructed of salvaged parts that others might discard, Simpson’s whirligigs spin, whirl and make sounds. Astra Books for Young Readers now has a study guide for WHIRLIGIGS. Find it here: https://astrapublishinghouse.com/resources/whirligigs-discussion-guide/.
DMV Folks: RAP IT UP! Book Launch March 18
RAP IT UP! is our first co-authored title. Illustrated by mural artist Ernel Martinez, the how-to book covers literary devices, poetic elements and performance tips to build kids’ writing skills and enhance their confidence as public speakers. The book drops on March 18, and we can hardly wait. Please join us that evening at Oxon Hill Public Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, in PG County. Jeffery will be rapping, of course! We hope to see you there.
Big News about KIN: ROOTED IN HOPE
Jeffery and I are so grateful that our ancestors reclaimed narratives will be amplified through KIN’s selection as the 2025 One Maryland One Book. We can almost feel our ancestors smiling down on us. Stay tuned for details of related activities. Thank you, Maryland Humanities.
