summer-reading – children's books by the weatherfords

I am so moved (excuse the pun) that WHEN I MOVE was chosen for the Horn Book summer reading list and that WHIRLIGIGS: THE WONDROUS WINDMILLS OF VOLLIS SIMPSON’S IMAGINATION has been nominated for the 2026 North Carolina Children’s Book Award..

Jeffery and I are both stoked that RAP IT UP!–our first authorial collaboration–received a starred review in Booklist. The reviewer notes, “This cheery picture book is a knockout. . . . . First, it celebrates the joy of creating, . . . glorifies the wonders of language. . . features vivid, graffiti-filled collages. . . [and] offers endless encouragement. The ultimate message—put in the work, because ‘The words you write are worth it'[.]’ ‘”

We presented yesterday at the Texas Christian University Children’s Literature Conference. I don’t mind telling you that Jeffery’s performance of RAP IT UP! was a big hit. If I had a dollar for everyone who’s asked whether the lyrics have been recorded, I’d have enough for Beyonce concert tickets. We’re still hoping for an audiobook narrated by Jeffery.

RAP IT UP! grew out of the rap workshops (then called Hip Hop Tech) that Jeffery began leading a decade ago. Since then, he has presented to Boys & Girls Clubs, Upward Bound, 21st Century Learning Centers, schools, libraries and museums. Available as a workshop or multi-day residency, the program includes lessons on hip hop’s history, creative writing and the technology behind the beats. This summer, Jeffery is offering only virtual workshops. Book now!

He’s making an exception on June 21 for a Juneteenth Celebration at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland. That workshop coincides with his solo exhibition of art from KIN: ROOTED IN HOPE through June at the museum. We are both thrilled that the adjacent gallery showcases works on related themes by Faith Ringgold, Jacob Lawrence and Elizabeth Catlett.

As for me, I’ll be dropping by Toronto bookstores; headlining a Juneteenth festival at Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center in Centreville, Maryland; accepting the Children’s Literature Legacy Award at the American Library Association conference in Philadelphia; and serving as Writer-in-Residence at the Hollins University Francelia Butler Conference. Can somebody say “vacation”? I’m gonna need one!

We are now booking for the 2025-2026 school year. We can offer incentives for schools in the U.S. that book fall visits. We have availability all year, but February and March are already filling up.

Have a safe and wonderful summer!

With 80 books, there’s a title for (almost) every season and observance, including Photography Month (May), Memorial Day, Black Music Month (June) and Juneteenth. Add to that books, activities and presentations for summer reading programs and Vacation Bible School (VBS!). It’s not too late to book the Weatherfords for late spring and summer.

For Photography Month, Jeffery and I focus on Gordon Parks and Dorothea Lange and how primary source photographs figure into our historical research.

KICK-OFF SUMMER WITH A SALUTE & SONG

For Memorial Day, we honor military heroes with poems from YOU CAN FLY; THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN and from KIN: ROOTED IN HOPE and a rousing rap from Jeffery saluting the pioneering Black WWII pilots.

On May 31 or June 1, I hope you will pause to remember Black Wall Street, the nation’s wealthiest Black business district, once located in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood community, which, in 1921, was the scene of the nation’s worst incident of racial violence. UNSPEAKABLE: THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE, my 2021 collaboration with the late Floyd Cooper, tells that story.

For the Juneteenth national holiday, Jeffery and I share stories of enslavement and emancipation from KIN: ROOTED IN HOPE, MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM and JUNETEENTH JAMBOREE, the first children’s book about the first African-American holiday.

This summer Jeffery will again offer his popular Hip Hop Tech workshop, now known as RAP IT UP!–after our upcoming picture book collaboration. These transformative sessions get tweens and teens hyped about writing and performing original rap lyrics. A Petersburg, Virginia, workshop produced what has got to be thee dopest testimonial: “I can’t believe they let us get lit like that in the library! Believe it. Jeffery is already booked for a residency in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

For Black Music Month, Jeffery and I tune in to African-American musical genres and musicians–from spirituals, blues, and gospel, to jazz, soul and rap. Yes, we got books for all that.

TAKING IT TO CHURCH!

With book bans proliferating and Black history under attack, grassroots reading/study groups are needed more than ever. We encourage churches to host reading programs for all ages, but especially for children. Many of our titles are perfect for Vacation Bible School and for multigenerational audiences and discussions. Reading guides for many of these books are available as free downloads (more on that later). If your church literacy initiative uses our books, let us know. We may be available to join the discussion via Zoom. Here are some spirit-filled books to consider.