This week, Ruth Forman talks Black board book joy; Phil Stamper has a “far out” launch; and Scholastic celebrates Black History Month.
Hair Love
Hosted by Black-owned bookstore Loyalty Bookstore, which has locations in Silver Spring, Md., and Washington, D.C., Ruth Forman (l.) appeared at a February 25 Crowdcast event for her board book Curls (illus. by Geneva Bowers, Little Simon). Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie (r.) (Layla’s Happiness, illus. by Ashleigh Corrin, Enchanted Lion) joined Forman for a conversation about Black joy, the significance of self-image-boosting messages for children of color, and Forman’s forthcoming companion board book Glow, a celebration of Black boys.
Take on Me
Last month, Phil Stamper kicked off his virtual tour for his latest YA novel, As Far as You’ll Take Me (Bloomsbury), with a virtual launch party on February 9, featuring Ryan La Sala (Be Dazzled, Sourcebooks Fire) and Claribel A. Ortega (Ghost Squad, Scholastic Press). The trio chatted about London (where the new book is set), writing, and debuting during the pandemic. The event also featured an audience q&a, as well as a musical segment wherein the trio each played a recorder as readers guessed the tunes.
Boosting Black Excellence
Scholastic recently held a Power of Story event in honor of Black History Month on February 24. Taking to Facebook, the publisher streamed Share Black Stories: Books About to Go Down in History, a virtual panel featuring contemporary Black authors discussing their upcoming novels. The conversation garnered 10,000 views the first night. Pictured here: top row (from l.): moderator Kathy Burnette of Brain Lair Books in South Bend, Ind.; Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen (Last Gate of the Emperor, Scholastic Press). Bottom row (from l.): Scholastic v-p of educational marketing Lizette Serrano; Justin A. Reynolds (Miles Morales: Shock Waves, illus. by Pablo Leon, Graphix); and Leah Johnson (Rise to the Sun, Scholastic Press).
