Magical Snowflake

Bernette Ford (June 30, 1950 – June 20, 2021) was an author and editor renowned as one of the few African American women writers of children’s books. Recognized for bringing diversity to publishing, she founded a group called Black Creators for Children, which would assist African American authors in creating new works by following a set of philosophies. During her career she penned many popular kids’ books, several with Boxer Books, including No More Diapers for Ducky!,No More Bottles for Bunny!, and Ballet Kitty. A publisher for many years, she also founded and ran her own company, the children's book packager Color-Bridge Books. Bernette lived in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, George Ford, until her passing in 2021.Erin K. Robinson is an Emmy-nominated illustrator trained at the Parsons School of Design and the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. Erin's illustrations have been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post, among other publications. Her magical imagination is inspired by travel, color, texture, the feminine shape, and the many shades and coifs of Brooklyn, New York. She works in a variety of media, including watercolor, ink, markers, charcoal, stencil, and collage, as well as digital artistry. She illustrated Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World (Penguin Random House, 2020) and A Library (Versify, 2022). She has also designed a U.S. postage stamp, which was unveiled in October 2022. Robinson lives in New York City, and The Magical Snowflake is her first children’s book with Boxer Books.

"Robinson’s layered artwork uses color and detail in surprising ways to deliver majestic scenes children will want to pore over again and again. Beautifully executed." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review“Ford and Robinson’s titular snowflake leads a community on a merry march in this hypnotic tribute to a season’s first snowfall . . . . Spongy effects from Robinson capture the fuzziness of flurries coating the town, while iridescent hues conjure the bliss of an eagerly awaited winter storm.” —Publishers Weekly“Robinson’s bright, highly textured illustrations will make readers long for a snow day.”—Horn Book“[T]his joyful celebration of the first snow can appeal to anyone.”—Geek Dad“[P]erfect for the snow-lover in your house . . . . Accompanying the story are gorgeous, brightly-colored illustrations that your child will want to see again and again.” —The Hawk Eye