Meet Don Tate!

Our library is honored to welcome Don Tate on Saturday, April 29, 10:30 a.m. for a highly engaging and entertaining presentation.

When Don Tate was a little boy in Des Moines, Iowa, he saw only white people in children’s books. The world beneath the cover of every story was white, with no place for a little black boy like him. Don remembers that only when he read the encyclopedia did he discover a multicultural world.

When Don grew up, he strove to change the face of children’s books, so that children of color could see and be inspired by others like themselves. Today he is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. He is also one of the founding hosts of the blog The Brown Bookshelf – a blog designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers, with book reviews, author and illustrator interviews. Don frequently speaks at schools, public libraries and writing conferences, and has participated in book festivals throughout the country.

Don’s books often spotlight little-known, yet fascinating black people who persevered against seemingly insurmountable challenges during the period of American slavery. He has stated that “children’s books needed to show a range of experience, including suffering and enduring.” Books Written and/or Illustrated by Don Tate: CARTER READS THE NEWSPAPER written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Don Tate Readers of all ages will be inspired by this biography of Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month.

HOPE’S GIFT written by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Don Tate Hope, an enslaved child during the Civil War, keeps her faith that her father will return after his runs away to join the U.S. Colored Troops and that freedom will come at last.

IT JES’ HAPPENED: WHEN BILL TRAYLOR STARTED TO DRAW, written by Don Tate, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie This New Voices Award Honor book introduces us to Bill Traylor, considered to be one of the important selftaught American folk artists. Readers will find his story of humility and perseverance deeply moving.