In my Q&A sections, more than once across the 5 days I had kids ask if I wrote the book alone, or had any help. I don't think it's a wild leap to think they asked this based on my appearance. I didn't fit their expectation of an author. BUT that's also important because it opened their minds.
I had SO many compliments on the book cover. This industry silently acknowledges that minority characters (especially black) on covers are a harder sell - here and abroad. But kids really don't care! So it begs the questions harder to sell to whom? It's the adults who need to question their biases.
Booksellers and librarians are magic. We love you, and I want to give a shoutout to @wonderlandbookshop.bsky.social Simply Books and the wonderful Leeds School Library Services for making this week the success that it was.
Wonderful thread. Thanks for acknowledging that reaching even one child per visit is so valuable.
You're magic. Thank you ❤️ x
Who's the illustrator? (From one Ashley to another, it's great to hear you had a good WBD week! (I'm going to order the book.)) #PicturesMeanBusiness
👋🏾 Loyiso Mkize an incredibly talented comic artist from South Africa. Thank you for supporting!
My pleasure - it looks/sounds up my alley!