Wish List

Help us purchase books from our wish list. Consider buying books from an independent bookstore before looking on Amazon. Small independent bookstores have a bigger impact on their community than it may seem. They support local programs and bring in revenue to their city or town. And in these times, it is now more important than ever to support local independent black-owned bookstores.

TY ALLAN JACKSON

Pittsfield, MA

https://tyallanjackson.com/shop/

Ty is an award-winning children’s book author, literacy advocate, and captivating motivational speaker. In 2011 he founded Big Head Books, LLC, a literacy organization that aims to introduce children to the joys of reading. Ty travels around the country inspiring children and educating adults about the impacts of illiteracy.

"Every student deserves to see themselves in the books they read. Books have the power to encourage students while at the same time enlighten other readers of the truths about lives they don’t live. And hopefully, that enlightenment will spur compassion, understanding, and change." --Jennifer H.

"When you open a book and read of a character that thinks, feels, and loves the way that you do, you feel less alone. You feel more validated and confident in your identities to see a story map out your heart and soul. Kids need to feel confident in who they are from the earliest stages of development, and normalizing diversity is key to that goal." --Nikolas A.

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Jerry Craft

https://jerrycraft.com/buy-the-book/

Jerry Craft is the New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal winning author of the graphic novel, New Kid. His second graphic novel, Class Act, publishes on October 6, 2020. Craft is also the creator of Mama’s Boyz, an award-winning comic strip which won the African American Literary Award five times. He is a cofounder of the Schomburg Center’s Annual Black Comic Book Festival. He received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts.

Grace Lin

https://gracelin.com/

Grace Lin is the author and illustrator of more than 20 books — from picture books to young adult novels — for kids. Most of Lin's books are about the Asian-American experience, yet their themes are often universal. "Books erase bias, they make the uncommon everyday, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal."

Sandra Elaine Scott

Millis, MA

http://www.sandraelainescott.com/bookstore/

Award-Winning Author Sandra Elaine Scott is an International Speaker, Corporate Trainer and Life Coach who inspires joy and specializes in helping individuals turn their someday dreams into today’s reality with her unique blend of powerful, captivating stories, positive strategies and practical action steps.

Susan Tan
susantanbooks.com

I’ve wanted to be a children’s author since eighth grade when I was named “most likely to be a children’s book writer” in the middle school yearbook. In high school, I worked in the Children’s Room of my local public library, and in college I sketched picturebook outlines in the margins of my school notes.

Michelle Chalmers
https://michellechalmers.com/

Michelle Chalmers is a racial justice educator and children's author. Michelle received a BSW from Wheelock College in Boston, an MSW from San Diego State University. Her passion has always been working with children, and after having children of her own, learned one of the best ways to help teach her children, was through books.

Crystal Boateng

Crystal Boateng was born and raised in Kumasi, Ghana. She moved to Massachusetts at a young age with her family. Crystal has two children, Whitney and Leo, who are her inspiration behind Afia the Ashanti Princess: A Visit to the Motherland. She wrote this book to introduce young readers of African descent to a non-traditional princess story so that they can identify with the main character. Her hope is to inspire young readers of her Ashanti Princess book series to develop an interest in further learning about Ghanaian culture and history.

Orezime Uyeh

https://girlsformedicine.com/

"Girls for Medicine" is a children's picture book created to encourage kids, especially young black and brown girls, to pursue careers in healthcare. This beautiful STEM book embraces diversity and inclusivity, and it empowers kids to cultivate the necessary qualities in future healthcare professionals. "Girls for Medicine" emphasizes that representation matters in healthcare and children's books.

PLUS...THREE BLACK-OWNED BOOKSTORES TO SUPPORT IN MASSACHUSETTS

FRUGAL BOOKSTORE

57 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

frugalbookstore.net

617-541-1722

Frugal Bookstore is the only black-owned bookstore in Boston. Located in Roxbury, Frugal is owned and operated by Clarissa and Leonard Egerton, two bibliophiles who want to share their love for literature with their community. They sell brand new books online, over the phone, or in person, and their customer service is amazing.

SUSIE’S STORIES

51 Bearskin Neck, Rockport, MA 01966

susiesstories.com

508-233-8418

Susie’s Stories is located in Rockport and represents the vision of Susie Rich, “to educate and entertain, promoting a positive image of self-esteem, confidence and the importance of community to both young readers and adults.” Susie’s Stories offers children’s books, poetry, and much more. Through storytelling, this independent bookstore aims to encourage positive attitude and to educate children on health and safety information about staying safe during extreme weather occurrences.

OLIVE TREE BOOKS-n-VOICES

97 Hancock St, Springfield, MA 01109

olivetreebooksonline.com

413-737-6400

In Springfield, Olive Tree Books-n-Voices has been owned and operated by Zee Johnson for over 15 years. The building where the comfy bookstore stands was once a crack house. With a lot of love, inspiration, and help from her community, Johnson transformed the location into an inviting safe haven where you can get lost in the over 500 titles that focus on historical works, children’s stories, and their beloved inspirational & religious section. Stop by today for a friendly smile or a bit of inspiration.