About the Author

Van G. Garrett is the author of Kicks, his debut picture book, and Juneteenth. An acclaimed poet, he won the Poetry Question National Chapbook Contest for Scrap and the Best Book of African American Poetry from the Texas Association of Authors for 49: Wings and Prayers. He is a musician and visual artist.

Reggie Brown is an artist and children’s book illustrator. He has a background in corporate graphic design and is now focusing on illustrating for children. His multicultural upbringing as an African American and Filipino man is what drives his true passion of illustrating children’s stories and bringing underrepresented voices alive through his art. Reggie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and lives in San Diego, California, where he enjoys eating burritos, watching Star Wars, and spending time with his wife.

Twitter/Instagram: @reggiebrownart

reggiebrownart.com

Praise For…

Praise for KICKS: "A brilliantly written and illustrated ode to sneakers and sneakerheads, young and old. A gift to us all." — Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author 

Praise for KICKS:  "Garrett and Brown have crafted a fresh and delightful anthem not just to shoes but also the magical way they make us feel." — Oge Mora, Caldecott Honor-winning author of Thank You, Omu! and Saturday 

Praise for KICKS: “An upbeat, affirming story that works especially well for #RepresentationMatters and Black Boy Joy collections. Complementary books include Floyd Cooper’s Jump! From the Life of Michael Jordan (2004) and Derrick Barnes’ Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (2017).” — Booklist

Praise for KICKS: “An excellent read-aloud... This fun, lyrical free verse poem pays homage to the joy a pair of new shoes can bring, and its colorful illustrations work well to enhance the joy of the experience. A recommended purchase... especially where poetry is popular.” — School Library Journal

Praise for JUNETEENTH: “An unfolding of the senses—sights, sounds, and scents of a parade—with the added enlightenment of the important history and significance of the celebration… A perfect read-aloud and an excellent platform for discussing African American history.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

Praise for JUNETEENTH: "Vibrant, highly textured watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations depict the sense of community the author conveys through the simple, poetic text. An ideal read-aloud… A stirring introduction to an important holiday." — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for JUNETEETH: “Garrett’s observational storytelling combines detailed ink and watercolor scenes from muralists Adams and Adenugba to create a stirring portrait… Cements the day not merely as one of jubilation, but as a celebration of community too.”
— Publishers Weekly