About this item
From an award-winning author and illustrator comes this picture book biography about beloved librarian and storyteller Augusta Braxton Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public Library.. Before Augusta Braxton Baker became a storyteller, she was an excellent story listener. Her grandmother brought stories like Br'er Rabbit and Arthur and Excalibur to life, teaching young Augusta that when there's a will, there's always a way. When she grew up, Mrs. Baker began telling her own fantastical stories to children at the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in Harlem. But she noticed that there were hardly any books at the library featuring Black people in respectful, uplifting ways. Thus began her journey of championing books, writers, librarians, and teachers centering Black stories, educating and inspiring future acclaimed authors like Audre Lorde and James Baldwin along the way.
About the Author
Top Eight Things to Know About Me:1) I'm from Atlanta, GA. To be more specific I grew up in College Park and East Point, GA surrounded by my siblings and cousins. While I will always love how vibrant my home community is, it's changing quite a bit. I just hope some things never change, especially the menu at Big Daddy's on Old National! Yum!2) I write children's books, my favorite genre is picture books and my first picture book,Hands Up!will be published in 2019 by Dial Books for Young Readers. 3) Growing up I dreamed of being a combo archaeologist/lawyer. I would make huge historical finds and then use my law degree to protect the artifacts that I found. My friends who are attorneys now tell me that's not exactly how it works¯_(?) _/¯ Soooo, I am not a lawyer but I do dream of becoming a college professor. And I haven't completely given up on every part of my dream. When I finally grow up, I will be a professor/author/archaeologist, it's gonna happen. #NeverStopDreaming4) Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson are three of my favorite books. I try to reread them every year along with A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle which is probably number one in my top 5 fav books. Grateful to be alive during a time when Ava Dubernay's interpretation is in theaters, go see it! Never thought I'd see #AMegLikeMe !5) Traveling is one of my favorite things to do but vacations kind of stress me out. I always feel like I should be working on a project, reading for my research or doing something that helps build my writing and academic goals BUT when I finally do relax, I'm always excited to try new activities and foods. Adventure is my middle name ... Not really, but it should be. 6) Opera is amazing, and a great moment in the history of Bre was feeling goosebumps raise on my arms as Morris Robinson sang out the first line of "Bess You Is My Woman Now" during a concert at Spelman College. My face was WET with tears, it was so incredibly beautiful. 7) The huge amount of concentrated love in the circle of exceptional black women and girls that surround me is magical. I'm blessed by their love, support and prayers.8) I'm a proud alumna of Simmons College (MA Children's Literature) . In 2017 one of my biggest dreams came true when I accepted a full scholarship to attend the University of Cambridge for my PhD. Go big or go home y'all!
