Keisha Morris – illustratör

A luminous picture book that celebrates little-known American legacy, familial love, tradition, and the cherished ancestors who paved the way.Tonight is a big night. It's Watch Night!This year, Eve-Lynn gets to lead the celebration just like her ancestor Lil' Eve did on December 31, 1862-the night they called their Freedom's Eve. And while Eve-Lynn is excited, worry wraps 'round her.Eve-Lynn holds her family quilt close to calm her nerves, but in a moment of jittery anticipation, she rips the beloved fabric made by her ancestor. With the help of her Gramsy, Eve-Lynn stitches the quilt back together, leaving a piece of herself within its patchwork-making for a Watch Night she'll never forget.

Hop on board for this tender family story, inspired by the author’s own, and discover a dynamic chapter in American history—and the many trains people rode toward freedom. A must-have for home and classroom libraries.

A CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Book

BCALA Best of the Best Book

* “A vivid evocation of place and era rolling solidly on a bed of timeless values.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “A child-friendly picture book introducing the Great Migration.” — Booklist, starred review

* “Lends the meandering feel of family stories to this portrait of a historical moment.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

Thelma loves to watch the Sunset Limited chug through her little town of Vacherie, Louisiana. And she dreams of one day riding a real train! For now, she has her beloved schooltrain. Every morning, she and her friends walk to school, single file, chanting all the way:

“Schooltrain! Schooltrain! Don’t be late! The school bell rings at half past eight!”

Then it’s on to great adventures with her teacher’s books — and her own imagination!

But lately, someone named Jim Crow has been making trouble for folks in Vacherie. Aunt Bea and Uncle Ed have already moved away. When Thelma’s best friend also has to leave, Thelma wonders, who is Jim Crow and why does he have to be so mean? Will he make trouble for Pop, too?

A fun, lively story of Black family and cousin culture that celebrates individuality and embraces differences.

One of the New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids in 2021!

Nominated, Bank Street College of Education's 2022 Irma S. Black Award

"This endearing picture book from Shanté (The Noisy Classroom, 2020) is a beautiful ode to Black families and the bond cousins have. . . Shanté's love letter to Black families and the typical relationship Black children have with their cousins is smartly complemented by Morris' bold, vivid illustrations of the cousins' summer antics, often from the main character's perspective. This story about wanting to feel included will be a storytime must!"—Booklist

"An adorable book about being true to yourself and the joys of family, especially cousins."—Kirkus Reviews

"Layered, collage-style art by Morris features rounded panels and centers warm relationships. Shanté aptly portrays the experiences of a young city denizen, peppering the family-centered tale with resonant cultural details."—Publishers Weekly

Fitting in can be hard, but standing out isn’t easy either!

Every summer a young girl eagerly waits for her cousins to come visit and celebrate her birthday. All her cousins are unique in their own ways and have earned cool nicknames for themselves… except for the girl. But this year things are going to be different. This year before summer ends, she’s determined to earn her own nickname!

Filled with warmth, love, and laughter, When My Cousins Come to Town brings all the energy and love of a big family to prove that you don’t need to be anyone else to be special—just the way you are is exactly right!

A fun, lively story of Black family and cousin culture that celebrates individuality and embraces differences.

One of the New York Public Library''s Best Books for Kids in 2021!

Nominated, Bank Street College of Education''s 2022 Irma S. Black Award

"This endearing picture book from Shanté (The Noisy Classroom, 2020) is a beautiful ode to Black families and the bond cousins have. . . Shanté''s love letter to Black families and the typical relationship Black children have with their cousins is smartly complemented by Morris'' bold, vivid illustrations of the cousins'' summer antics, often from the main character''s perspective. This story about wanting to feel included will be a storytime must!"—Booklist

"An adorable book about being true to yourself and the joys of family, especially cousins."—Kirkus Reviews

"Layered, collage-style art by Morris features rounded panels and centers warm relationships. Shanté aptly portrays the experiences of a young city denizen, peppering the family-centered tale with resonant cultural details."—Publishers Weekly

Fitting in can be hard, but standing out isn’t easy either!

Every summer a young girl eagerly waits for her cousins to come visit and celebrate her birthday. All her cousins are unique in their own ways and have earned cool nicknames for themselves… except for the girl. But this year things are going to be different. This year before summer ends, she’s determined to earn her own nickname!

Filled with warmth, love, and laughter, When My Cousins Come to Town brings all the energy and love of a big family to prove that you don’t need to be anyone else to be special—just the way you are is exactly right!

With rhythmic, rhyming verse, this picture book follows two girls—one non-Black Puerto Rican, one Black—as they discover the stories their hair can tell.

Preciosa has hair that won’t stay straight, won’t be confined. Rudine’s hair resists rollers, flat irons, and rules.

Together, the girls play hair salon! They take inspiration from their moms, their neighbors, their ancestors, and cultural icons. They discover that their hair holds roots of the past and threads of the future.

With rhythmic, rhyming verse and vibrant collage art, author NoNieqa Ramos and illustrator Keisha Morris follow two girls as they discover the stories hair can tell.

Winner of the 2020 Goddard Riverside CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice

A Top Ten Selection of the 2021 In the Margins Book Awards

A Texas Institute of Letters 2021 Finalist for Best Picture Book

A 2021 RCC Wilbur Award Winner

A Picture Book Discovery Prize Winner for the 2020 Writers'' League of Texas Book Awards

"Dad, what happened?""Why are they shooting?""What is this vigil for?"

The shootings keep coming, and so do Jeremiah''s questions. Dad doesn''t have easy answers, but that doesn''t mean he won''t talk about it—or that he won''t act. But what if Jeremiah doesn''t want to talk anymore? None of it makes sense, and he''s just a kid. Even if he wants to believe in a better world, is there anything he can do about it?

Inspired by real-life events, this honest, intimate look at one family''s response to racism and gun violence includes a discussion guide created by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, a multicultural center and museum committed to promoting respect, hope, and understanding.

A portion of the publisher''s sales proceeds will be donated to nonprofit organizations that facilitate the empowerment of Black communities.