Hi There.
I wrote and illustrated a picture book published by Candlewick Press called JABARI JUMPS all about dealing with fear, what it means to be brave, and even a little bit about parenting: will Jabari jump off the diving board, or not?! Get your copy here and find out! It’s companion book, JABARI TRIES, just came out! Its all about being a Maker, persistence, team work and how-to-keep-your-cool-when-things-don’t-go-your-way (aka “Being A Human Is Hard”, Lesson #56) and Jabari’s little sister gets a name!
JABARI JUMPS was a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, it was also featured in People Magazine, The New York Times, was an Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year, and is a staff pick in NPR’s Book Concierge: Our Guide To 2017’s Great Reads, among other accolades.
Also check out, THE UNICORN CAME TO DINNER, written by Lauren DeStefano (Roaring Brook Press) and illustrated by me! Perfect for people who love unicorns and who are dealing with anxiety. (Pretty sure that’s…everyone, right now.)
Upcoming titles include BEST BED FOR ME from Candlewick Press coming 2021.
I am represented by Emily van Beek, at Folio Jr.
Currently, I'm working on: several picture books, a middle grade novel, & making websites for writers! (Need a site? Go right here!)
•••
I spend my days working from home, as my brilliant husband codes furiously at MojoTech, our human offspring toddle/zoom around, and their older, feline siblings keep us all in line. After graduating from Pratt Institute, I worked on a variety of projects {–including producing a film festival, animating cartoons for network television and film, and working on a documentary–} that gradually led me back to one of my first loves: illustration.
Most of my pieces start with good ol’ pencil and paper, and are then finished digitally. I approach each project like an intricate puzzle made up of many, and ever-shifting, pieces: Who’s the audience? How can I make this visually exciting? What does the client want?– It’s a trick to get all the moving parts to fit. But it’s a process I love. My work has been featured online, in interactive games, on assorted products, in films, as murals, and in various forms of print.
FAQS:
How do you pronounce your name? I say it Gay-yuh. (While we’re on the topic I really wish I had this and this book as a kid.)
I made (or want to make) a picture book. What do I do now? Oh the road is very looong and twisty, Friend. But the links below will get you started on your journey.
Kidlit411-- their site and facebook group are both SO helpful and jam packed with information.
SCBWI ie Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is the children's publishing industry's main organization. They have huge conferences, but also regional ones, and local groups, all of which can be really invaluable.
My friend, and author, Chana, wrote this great blog post with a ton of info: So You Want to Publish a Picture Book!
Where do I found more picture books with diverse characters in them? While the publishing statistics still aren’t great, I do feel like its getting easier and easier to find these books which is awesome. My go-to resources are:
Here Wee Read (Charnaie now also has a podcast!!)
We Need Diverse Books site and their OurStory app.
Where’s the best place for me to buy your book? First, ohmygosh, THANK YOU for wanting to my buy books! In general, they are available where ever books are sold, including the Voldemort-of-book-sellers: A-WhoShallNotBeNamed. (They are a necessary evil at this point, but darnit, People, they really suck.) The best place to buy my books and frankly, books in general, is your local bookstore. If you don’t have one close to you, almost all of them do orders online and there’s also BookShop.org . Find your local indie here. Now (and always) would also be a good time to support your local Black owned bookstore, as well. Find one right here.
Will you illustrate my book? I really hate that this is my answer, but: probably, not. Ugh, I’m sorry! But if you’re a publisher, or an agented author, feel free to contact my agent. (See above.)
I want to talk to my kids about racism, but I don’t know where to start… First, I cannot recommend Read Like A Rockstar and Education with An Apron enough! Start with their “Guides for Talking About Racism” for white families, Black families, POC families. (More on their sites to buy too!) And follow them on all social media to get tons of info and resources.
Also, I’ve started a Pinterest Board that is hardly exhaustive, but filled with good resources here. (Related, check out my board “The Importance of Diversity and Representation in Children's Books,” to learn more about that in children’s publishing in particular. –Though many of the points apply across all media.)
Of Note:
Starred review from Kirkus for JABARI TRIES
JABARI JUMPS is on NPR’s 100 Best Children’s Books list?!
JABARI TRIES is an Amazon Best Book of The Month in September
JABARI JUMPS was featured in the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, People Magazine and others...
JABARI JUMPS: Amazon #1 New Release, an "Amazon Best Book of The Year, 2017"
Semifinalist in the P&B Textiles and Pattern Observer Textile Design Competition!
Elk print was selected through Minted to be sold at West Elm!
Faculty at the NESCBWI Conference teaching “7 Animation Techniques Every Illustrator Should Steal” workshop.
2017 marks the fourteenth anniversary of drawing Oscar nominee portraits for Eleni’s Bakery in New York City! Click here to see a few of my favorites.