Jerdine Nolen is the beloved author of many award-winning books, including
Big Jabe;
Thunder Rose, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book; and
Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, all illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is also the author of
Eliza's Freedom Road, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, which was an ALA/YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults;
Raising Dragons, illustrated by Elise Primavera, which received the Christopher Award; and
Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was made into a movie by the same name. Her other books include
Calico Girl, a
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and
Irene's Wish, illustrated by A.G. Ford, which
Kirkus Reviews called "delightful and memorable" in a starred review. Ms. Nolen is an educator and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.
James E. Ransome's highly acclaimed illustrations for
Before She Was Harriet received the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King winner
The Creation; Coretta Scott King Honor Book
Uncle Jed's Barbershop;
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt; and
Let My People Go, winner of the NAACP Image Award. James is also a recipient of the ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award. He frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome, and their books include
Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams and
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis. James is a professor and coordinator of the MFA Illustration Graduate Program at Syracuse University. He lives in New York's Hudson River Valley region with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.
