Janelle Harper – författare

A love letter to the hustle, the bustle, the joy, and the grit of city life by debut author and Bronx native, Janelle Harper, and two-time Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Frank Morrison."My block looks likea collision of culturesa melting pot of coola burst of lifemy favorite groove. . .No matter what happensI’ve seen it for myselfmy block looks likethe coolest placeI’ve ever been."A lyrical and proud picture book that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing and Last Stop on Market Street, My Block Looks Like offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud.

A picture book that celebrates the community built at the hair salon and the dynamic variety of Black hairstyles!Today is the day!A little girl’s first trip to the salon is a rite of passage, but choosing a new hairstyle is feeling like an impossible task! There are so many styles to choose from—bobs, buns, coils, fros, and more. And according to Grandma, Momma, and Sissy, choosing the best one means thinking about ease, lifestyle, and personality…It’s A LOT to think about!When the options seem overwhelming, the young girl decides to search for what feels right today, and that there’s always a future salon visit to try something new. While admiring the three loving women who have guided her through this big day, she finally sees it…her own kind of beautiful!From coils and long locs to waves and braids, Salon Saturday offers a vibrant portrayal of Black hairstyles, cherishing them as both a ritual and an ever-evolving journey of self-expression.

From the critically-acclaimed writer of My Block Looks Like and Salon Saturday comes another picture book that celebrates a sacred ritual in Black culture: Sunday morning church services!A young girl and her family wake up before the sun rises and begin their Sunday-morning routine for church. Dad greets everyone at the breakfast table with kisses while Mama presses pleats and lays edges. Soon the whole family piles into the car and sets the radio to the Gospel station.The aisle becomes a runway as members of the congregation, dressed in their Sunday-morning best, find their seats among the pews. Once the service begins, the main character does her best to calm her nerves as she waits for her drum solo. She takes a deep breath before rat-a-tat-tatting on the snare and booming on the base. The congregation explodes with joy, rocking and swaying, praying and praising! The young girl's family looks on with pride before piling back into the car and looking forward to doing it all again next week.