Illustrator Profile
R. Gregory Christie
13 Books
R. Gregory Christie is an acclaimed children's book illustrator known for his vibrant, expressive art style that frequently highlights African American history and culture. He has illustrated dozens of celebrated titles, earning multiple Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards and a Caldecott Honor. Among his most notable illustrated works are "Freedom in Congo Square," "The Book Itch," and "Jazz Baby."
Pack your bags for a vacation with a furry twist. In this fresh take on a classic fable, City Mouse travels to the country to visit his cousin. But instead of a relaxing getaway, he finds silent nights, unbearable heat, and unseen predators lurking in the grass. Deciding the country is simply too quiet, the two cousins hop a train back to the bustling city. Country Mouse is thrilled by the plentiful snacks, but the loud noises and terrifying cats make him wonder if city life is really for him. You will love comparing the busy streets to the quiet barns as these two mice discover that the perfect home means something different to everyone.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Dyamonde Daniels has her eyes on a brand new pair of bright red high-top sneakers. There is just one huge problem standing in her way: they cost a lot of money. When Dyamonde tries to convince her mother that it is a parent's job to buy their kids exactly what they need, the plan backfires completely. Instead of getting the shoes, her mother decides to teach her a tough lesson by taking away everything except her absolute bare necessities. Suddenly, Dyamonde finds her wardrobe stripped down to almost zero outfits. As she struggles with her surprisingly empty closet, she discovers that one of her classmates is dealing with a situation much harder than her own missing clothes. Realizing what truly matters, Dyamonde shifts her focus from fresh sneakers to finding a clever way to help her friend. Join Dyamonde as she learns a powerful lesson about wanting, needing, and the importance of a generous heart.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
158 Pages
Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore
Have you ever had an itch you just had to scratch? In the 1930s, Lewis Michaux Senior had a book itch. He turned that feeling into the National Memorial African Bookstore right in the heart of Harlem. Through the eyes of his son, you will discover how this unique shop became a gathering place for everyone from everyday readers to famous heroes like Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Langston Hughes. Inside these walls, people did more than just buy books. They traded ideas, dreamed of a better future, and learned how to stand up for what they believed in. Step inside this special bookstore and experience a true story about the power of reading, community, and voices coming together to change the world.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
44 Pages
Step into the shoes of one of America's greatest writers and experience his incredible journey through verse. Told from the perspective of Langston Hughes himself, fourteen original poems guide you through the defining moments of his life. You will learn about his lonely childhood listening to his grandmother's stories of heroic ancestors, his profound love for language, and his exciting travels around the world. Even when facing poverty and a society that tried to keep him down, he held fast to his dream of writing poetry that celebrated the everyday people he loved. Dive into these rhythmic pages to discover how a young boy overcame tremendous obstacles to become a legendary poet whose words continue to inspire readers everywhere.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
34 Pages
Harlem's Historic Neighborhood
Take a stroll through one of the most famous neighborhoods in American history and meet the incredible people who made it shine. During the 1920s, the Sugar Hill area of Harlem became a vibrant home for successful African American artists, writers, musicians, and leaders. Through upbeat, bouncing rhymes, you will discover a community where creativity was everywhere. From church pews to music lessons, young children growing up in Sugar Hill were surrounded by greatness. You will cross paths with jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, brilliant artists, and powerful civil rights leaders like Thurgood Marshall. This joyful celebration honors a time and place where boundary-breaking achievers built a community that nurtured big dreams and changed the cultural landscape of the world forever.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
36 Pages
When your teacher announces a school poetry contest with a huge cash prize, what would you do to win? For Free, the answer is simple: write the best poem possible so he can finally buy that new video game he has been dreaming about. Free feels like he is poor compared to his classmates, but his perspective begins to shift when he and his best friend, Dyamonde Daniel, get to know a new student at school. They soon discover that their new classmate is living in a local homeless shelter. As the poetry contest heats up, Free and Dyamonde are forced to look beyond their own wants and rethink what it truly means to be wealthy. This heartfelt story will make you question the real value of money, friendship, and compassion.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
95 Pages
Dyamonde Daniel is new in town, but she is not the kind of kid who waits around to belong. Smart, bold, and full of ideas, she steps into her new neighborhood and classroom ready to make things happen.
There is just one mystery she cannot ignore: the other new kid in class always seems grumpy. Dyamonde could stay away, but that is not her style. With curiosity, confidence, and a big heart, she sets out to understand what is really behind his frown.
This lively early chapter book introduces a memorable heroine with plenty of spark. Perfect for readers who enjoy school stories, new friendships, and characters who speak up, think hard, and care deeply.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
115 Pages
Get ready to snap your fingers and tap your toes with a family that loves to make some noise. With a simple clap of his tiny hands, one bebopping baby gets his whole house moving to the groove. Big sister snaps to the beat, Granny sings out a scat, and Uncle performs a smooth soft shoe dance. You will feel the rhythm bouncing off the walls as everyone joins together for a joyful musical celebration. But all that dancing takes a lot of energy, and eventually, Mama and Daddy have to sing a sweet, slow blues lullaby to calm things down. This energetic, bouncy story captures the magic of music and the warmth of a big, loving family coming together to share a song.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Dyamonde Daniel loves everything about her mother's homemade pancakes, and her friend Free loves eating almost anything. But recently, their classmate Damaris has been quietly pushing food around her plate without taking a single bite. Dyamonde notices the change immediately and suspects it has something to do with the cruel jokes some kids have been making about people's weight. Damaris is terrified that the other students are whispering about her behind her back. Dyamonde knows for a fact that Damaris is beautiful and perfect exactly the way she is, and she refuses to let her friend feel bad about herself for another second. Armed with her signature spunk and endless loyalty, Dyamonde sets out on a mission to show Damaris how to ignore the bullies. Follow along as these bold friends tackle tough conversations about healthy eating, body image, and the true meaning of self-acceptance.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
130 Pages
Discover the inspiring true story of an artist who proved it is never too late to share your unique vision with the world. Bill Traylor spent his youth as an enslaved boy on a hot Alabama farm, and later worked the same land as a sharecropper. By the time he was eighty five years old, he was living alone in the busy capital city of Montgomery. Though he was poor and lonely, his mind was filled with vibrant memories of rural farm life and the bustling city streets. Using whatever materials he could find, Bill began to draw. Soon, those memories poured onto the paper in energetic, warm, and often funny pictures. You will be captivated by this lively tribute to a self taught folk artist who found his creative voice late in life and left behind a beautiful legacy.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
When a powerful storm destroys your family's farm, everything changes. For nine-year-old Junior, moving to town in 1959 means a new life in the segregated South. But town life also brings exciting new discoveries, like friends who have their own books and a television. When these new friends invite Junior to see a special place, he is amazed to find a log cabin hidden deep in the forest. This magical cabin is a library built especially for Black residents. Inside, Junior finds a whole new world of possibility, community, and hope. As he checks out books, he even uncovers a wonderful secret about his own father. Based on a true story, this heartwarming tale celebrates the power of reading and the incredible resourcefulness of people coming together. Step into the woods and discover a place where dreams grow wild.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Step into the ring and meet one of the most famous athletes the world has ever known. Long before he was a global icon, Muhammad Ali was just a skinny kid named Cassius Clay learning to box at his local gym. Through sheer determination, lightning fast moves, and a whole lot of confidence, he fought his way to the top. You will follow his incredible journey from those early training days to his legendary heavyweight championship matches, including the famous Rumble in the Jungle. Written in energetic free verse that echoes the rhythm of a boxing match, this biography brings a sports legend right off the page. It is a powerful look at how a young boy transformed himself into a champion, inspiring you to fight for your own dreams.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
By
Carole Boston Weatherford
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Pictures by
R. Gregory Christie
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Read by
J.D. Jackson
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With
Freddi Williams Evans
Mondays meant slopping hogs. Wednesdays brought baking bread. Saturdays required plucking hens. For enslaved people in nineteenth-century Louisiana, the week was filled with relentless toil under an unjust system. But every day, they counted down to Sunday. For one half-day each week, they were allowed to gather in New Orleans at Congo Square. Here, they built an open market, sang, danced, and played joyous music. In this vibrant space, they could momentarily forget their struggles and oppression, celebrating their culture and community. This powerful, poetic history captures the resilience of the human spirit. You will discover how a single afternoon in Congo Square became the true beating heart of freedom, offering hope and light amidst the darkest of circumstances.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
