Discover children's books with Black characters!
Celebrate Black Children's Book Week!

Power To The People: Black Children’s Books Are Being Banned, But Black Children’s Book Week Invites The World To Celebrate Them

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Black children’s book bans are rising, but no ban can stop the power of the people. The third annual celebration of Black Children’s Book Week starts on February 25th. People around the world are gearing up to participate with celebrations in Canada, the UK, Ghana, Austria, and throughout the US. Founded in 2022 by social entrepreneur and author Veronica N. Chapman, Black Children’s Book Week (BCBW) is a global celebration of Black children and the power of Black representation in children’s books. 

Harnessing the power of representation

Chapman’s goal is to “raise the vibration in the world” for Black children and highlight the power of positive representation. “Publishing children’s books with Black protagonists is a form of activism because it ensures that Black children see themselves represented so they can develop both a love for reading and for themselves,” says Chapman. “Representation matters because it is a protective force, as research shows that positive representation increases Black children’s self-esteem, and helps protect them from the impact of racism.”

Join the celebration

Asked why people should celebrate Black Children’s Book Week, Chapman responded, “Black Children’s Book Week is scheduled joy. It’s a proactive and joyful solution in a time when we often find ourselves responding to racist policies and traumatic events. These inhumanities can keep us sad and anxious, and make us feel powerless. BCBW is a movement that encourages us to stand in our power and work collectively to ensure that Black children feel seen, affirmed, and loved. It’s so exciting and inspiring to see authors, librarians, parents, youth organizations, and others gearing up to celebrate Black children and the power of their representation.” 

To learn more about Black Children’s Book Week and find ways to celebrate, visit https://blackbabybooks.com/bcbw and follow Black Children’s Book Week on Instagram (@blackchildrensbookweek). This year’s kickoff event, a tour of Chapman’s Virtual Black Children’s Book Museum, is scheduled on February 24, 2024. Visit www.blackchildrensbookmuseum.org to register. 

For all media inquiries for Veronica N. Chapman, please contact Jonathan Scott at info@boxxout.com.

JOIN THE BLACK CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK CELEBRATION

Spelman Alumna Launches Global Celebration and Museum for Black Children

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Spelman alumna Veronica N. Chapman is a social entrepreneur and children’s book author on a mission to help make the world better for Black children. In an effort to achieve this goal, Veronica launched Black Children’s Book Week (BCBW), a global celebration of Black children and the power of positive representation in children’s books and other media, and an accompanying Virtual Black Children’s Book Museum. 

“Research shows that when Black children see themselves represented positively in their media, it fortifies their self-esteem and helps protect them from the impact of racism,” says Veronica N. Chapman. “In an ideal world, Black children would get to grow up fully experiencing the joys and protections of childhood and not be dehumanized simply for having melanin-rich skin. Instead, they are often affected by and fully aware of the devastating impacts of racism, which can replace their natural childhood curiosity and zest with anxiety and fear. Black Children’s Book Week is an invitation for everyone to be intentional about making sure Black children feel our love.”

Administered by Black Baby Books, a platform founded by Chapman to make it easier to discover children’s books with Black characters, many responded to her call to action to help “raise the vibration in the world” for Black children. Authors, educators, community advocates and others organized events during the week to accomplish this goal. Celebrants included people throughout the United States as well as the United Kingdom, Nigeria, St. Lucia, and Venezuela to name a few.

If you missed this year’s celebration, don’t worry, because parents, educators, and all advocates for Black children are invited to celebrate Black Children’s Book Week for years to come. The Week will always serve as an extension of Black History Month, beginning on the last Sunday in February. To learn more about Black Children’s Book Week and join the newsletter to stay informed, visit https://blackbabybooks.com/bcbw and follow Black Children’s Book Week on Instagram (@blackchildrensbookweek). The Virtual Black Children’s Book Museum is open 24/7, year-round. Visit www.blackchildrensbookmuseum.org to tour the museum, and to learn more.

RSVP FOR BLACK CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK


For all media inquiries for Veronica N. Chapman, please contact Jonathan Scott, info@boxxout.com.

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About Black Children’s Book Week

Black Children’s Book Week is a global celebration of Black children and the people who ensure Black children are represented in books and other children’s media. Founded by entrepreneur and children’s book author Veronica N. Chapman—and administered by Black Baby Books, LLC, a platform she launched to make it easier to discover children’s books with Black characters—Black Children’s Book Week will start every year on the last Sunday in February.

Introducing Our Kid Lit Pitch Events!

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Black Baby Books makes it easier to discover children’s books with Black characters. We also make it easier for independent authors and publishers of children’s books with Black characters to reach potential readers with our affordable Instagram ads.

Our new Kid Lit Pitch events provide an opportunity for independent authors and/or illustrators of children’s books with Black protagonists, to pitch their book (in three minutes) to the @BlackBabyBooks Instagram audience.

In order to participate, authors must agree to donate a copy of their book for the Kid Lit Pitch Giveaway that will take place after their pitch date. You must also ship your book to the winner in a timely fashion. No other fees apply.

Please use the form below to apply to participate in our Kid Lit Pitch events. We are a small team, but we will work to get through applications as quickly as possible. We will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application.

IG Live Interview with Nikolai Pizarro of Raising Readers

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Veronica N. Chapman, Founder and Chief Designer, Boxxout Enterprises, spoke with Nikolai Pizarro of Raising Readers about alternative options for educating our children during our current pandemic and beyond.

Nikolai is an author and educator who has been teaching Black & Latinx parents how to create high-quality literacy environments —at home & EARLY since 2010. Learn more about her virtual homeschooling support here.

BlackBabyBooks.com is a brand of Boxxout Enterprises, a company that designs creative solutions for social change.

IG Live Interview with child psychiatrist, Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite

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Veronica N. Chapman, Founder and Chief Designer, Boxxout Enterprises, spoke with child and adult psychiatrist, Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite about how growing up in an anti-Black society impacts Black children. We asked Dr. Christian-Brathwaite how we can help our children cope, resist, and thrive. Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite is the founder of Well Minds Consulting, where her interests and expertise revolve around delivery of mental health care to seriously ill children, adolescents, adults and families both locally and globally.

BlackBabyBooks.com is a brand of Boxxout Enterprises, a company that designs creative solutions for social change.

Purchase our EmpowerPack Enrichment E-Book: https://blackbabybooks.com/empowerpack

7 Self-Published Authors To Support This Holiday Season

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Many readers are aware of the lack of children’s books with Black representation. For instance, in 2018, only 10 percent of books published by traditional publishers featured Black protagonists. And in many cases, the books that were published were not written by Black authors, calling their cultural competence into question. Consequently, some writers have taken it upon themselves to be the change they wish to see, or read, by self-publishing books. Help us celebrate their activism and achievements by supporting their work this holiday season!

Artika Tyner, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your books?
I was inspired to write my first children’s book by Justice Alan C. Page [retired Minnesota Supreme Court]. He has written three children’s books which inspire young people to learn, grow and thrive. He also founded the Page Education Foundation with the goal in mind of “creating heroes through education and service.” As a proud Page Scholar, I am also committed to promoting education, literacy, cultural awareness and leadership development.

Author Website
Instagram Page
Amazon Link
Justice Makes A Difference
Justice has grown up witnessing the many ways her grandma serves the community. She wants to make a difference in the world, too, but how? Isn’t she too young?
Age Range: 7-12
Amazing Africa
Amazing Africa: A to Z is a fun and resourceful book that takes children and even adults on a visual journey throughout the continent of Africa.
Age Range: 7-12

Aja Dorsey Jackson, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your books?
I’m a fan of self-publishing because I have full artistic control. I wanted to self-publish The Almost Adventures of Plane Jane because I wanted to bring my vision of this empowering story of a young Black girl to life in my own way.

Author Website
Instagram Page
Amazon Link

Plane Jane
When seven-year-old Jane and her family make a big move, she becomes determined to get back to the place she once called home, even if she has to fly there herself!
Age Range: 4-7

Shine
Are you the sun? Or the moon reflecting its light? Shine takes young children on a beautifully illustrated journey toward bedtime while encouraging them to shine wherever they are.
Age Range: 3-7

Quinn Woodard, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your book?
To influence young minority students on the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), my book, “Like Me,” explores the different careers within the field. My hope is to provide early exposure, and to attract young minds to the STEM community. I also hope that this short story will allow young minds to understand what STEM professionals do in the simplest of terms, and spark an interest for further exploration in STEM.

Author Website
Instagram Page
Like Me
Zoey loves math and science, but she doesn’t know what she can be when she grows up. As she says: “It’s difficult to see what I can be when no one looks like me.
Age Range: 2-8

Veronica N. Chapman, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your books?
As an HBCU graduate (Spelman College), one of my goals is to make sure my readers feel the same type of empowerment and affirmation that students feel on HBCU campuses. I want my readers to be empowered to become the greatest version of themselves.

Author Website
Instagram Page
Amazon Link
King Khalid
King Khalid has a favorite pastime that keeps him up past his bedtime. After King Khalid’s father reinforces the rules and makes him go to bed on time, King finds a creative way around the rules that ultimately makes everyone proud.
Age Range: 5-10
I Know I Can!
While giving a speech at her high school graduation, Faith, the class valedictorian, shares her childhood dreams, and the lessons that served as the foundation for her courage.
Age Range: 3-8

James Wilson, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your book?
I was motivated due to the lack of content and information that is present to African children to prepare them for true progression in this world. My decision was based solely on my desire to change that.

Author Website
Instagram Page
Amazon Link
Teach Me About Garvey
An introduction to the achievements and vision of the legendary, Marcus Garvey. Children will get to rhyme fun words and view amazing illustrations that enhance their reading experience and aid the retainment of information.
Age Range: 6-10

Amber T. Bogan, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your book?
In raising my little one, it is important to me that I consistently expose her to positive images that reflect who she is. Witnessing the lack of diversity in children’s literature not only upset me, but also motivated me to take action. My debut children’s book, “Little Miss is Destined for Greatness” is my way of becoming a part of the solution.

Author Website
Instagram Page
Amazon Link
Little Miss
Early on, children begin looking to us to help them carve out a place in this world. Affirming that they have the right to dream big will encourage them to spread their wings and soar! 
Age Range: 6 & Under

Tonya Ellis, Author

What motivated you to write & self-publish your books?
I’m a former journalist and always wanted to write my own book. When reading with my children I noticed there were few kid’s books with Black main characters. I decided to fill in the gap by creating my own series. I also wanted to highlight the unique features of Houston, the city I live in (alligators and other wildlife in the neighborhoods, rodeo culture, cultural diversity).

Author Website
Instagram Page
Amazon Link
The Snitch
Sophie Washington and her friends have to decide whether to fight back against the school bully or snitch in this award winning illustrated chapter book.
Age Range: 8-12

Queen Of The Bee
Fifth grader Sophie Washington goes head-to-head against “Mr. Know-It-All” Nathan Jones in the school spelling bee in this entertaining, illustrated chapter book.
Age Range: 8-12

Here Are Six Children’s Books With Black Characters To Introduce STEAM Education

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STEAM education is a practice that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts & Mathematics. Education Closet explains, “STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century!“

Anyone can see how incorporating each of those disciplines could be beneficial to our children’s education, so we’ve chosen just a few books on our website that can provide your babies with an early introduction to STEAM.

Counting On Katherine (Grade Level: Kindergarten – 4) is the bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race. How Do Plants Grow (Grade Level: Kindergarten – 5) explains the process of photosynthesis, and why it is important to life on Earth. King Khalid is Proud (Grade Level: 2 – 5) is about a little boy who learns to code his own video game to negotiate a later bedtime. Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Grade Level: 2 – 3) is the story of Melba Doretta Liston, a trailblazing musician and a great unsung hero of jazz. Not All Superheroes Wear Capes (Grade Level: Kindergarten – 5) is a children’s book designed to teach Black students about the opportunities available to them in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. And The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague (Grade Level: 2 – 5) is about a hidden mastermind who made waves in the U.S. Navy as an engineer!

Check out these books below:

Three Excellent Resources For Authors

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The Black Baby Books platform was founded by self-published author Veronica N. Chapman. Veronica came up with the idea for the platform while she was promoting her first children’s book “I Know I Can!“. At events people would always ask her where they could find other children’s books with Black characters. Although Veronica would often meet authors at events, she found that when she wanted to recommend their books to her readers, they were not always easy to find online. To make it easier to direct people to other authors of children’s books with Black characters Veronica launched BlackBabyBooks.com.

The Black Baby Books service is supported by advertising revenue and affiliate sales of books listed on our website. Because authors in particular help keep this service going, we want to be sure that we are doing all we can to support you. Please find three resources below that we hope you will find helpful. Thank you so much for supporting our platform!

BOOK MARKETING PLAN
THE DEFINITIVE CHECKLIST
BOOK EVENTS: FAIRS, FESTIVALS, AND CONFERENCES
WHY INDIE AUTHORS SHOULD USE KDP PRINT & INGRAMSPARK TOGETHER

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