Author & Contributor Profile
Angela Johnson
17 Books
Angela Johnson is an American author of children's picture books and young adult novels. Her lyrical prose and empathetic storytelling often focus on African American family life, history, and community. Her published works include the young adult novel Heaven and the historical picture book All Different Now. She also wrote A Sweet Smell of Roses and Do Like Kyla, which capture moments of quiet connection and historical significance. Through her wide-ranging fiction, she explores themes of childhood, growing up, and intergenerational bonds.
Every day in the dusty fields of Mississippi, the son of a sharecropper looks out toward the horizon and dreams of something faster and freer. He imagines the mighty rumble of the locomotive and the legendary engineer Casey Jones at the controls. While the work in the fields is hard and slow, the trains represent a powerful promise of movement, adventure, and escape. This beautifully illustrated picture book captures a young boy's yearning for a different life and the soaring hope that rides on the rails, showing how heroes and dreams can inspire us to look beyond our current circumstances.
6-8 Years
Being the youngest of three sisters means you always have built-in friends, but it also means you sometimes get left behind. A young girl reflects on her daily life as part of a lively and inseparable trio. Sometimes she is right in the middle of the games, the laughter, and the shared secrets. Other times, her older sisters want to do things all by themselves, leaving her to find her own way and rely on the comforting presence of her parents. This candid and tender picture book perfectly captures the shifting dynamics, occasional frustrations, and enduring love that come with growing up in a close-knit family.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Leaving a familiar place can feel like a very long process. Days before the moving boxes are packed, you have already said goodbye to the grocer, the neighbors, and especially your cousins. But when the actual leaving morning finally arrives, stepping away from the only home you have known is still incredibly hard. This gentle and honest picture book captures the swirl of excitement, wistfulness, and hope that comes with moving away. It provides a comforting and relatable story for any child facing a big transition, showing that while saying goodbye is sad, new adventures are waiting just ahead.
6-8 Years
Snuggle up and listen as a young girl and her mother share a special bedtime tradition. Instead of reading a regular book, the little girl asks for her absolute favorite tales: the true stories of her own mother's childhood. Together, they remember the funny, sweet, and exciting moments from when Mama was just a little girl growing up. From getting into childhood mischief to sharing warm family memories, the two of them tell the stories together, perfectly finishing each other's sentences. This gentle, heartwarming book celebrates the deep bond between parent and child, and the beautiful family histories we pass down through the generations. It is the perfect read-aloud for sharing your own family memories.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
When Lily Brown picks up her paintbrushes, her everyday world transforms into something entirely new. Through her eyes and her art, trees start wearing hats and sipping tea, people stroll around upside down, and apples sing joyful songs all the way home from the grocery store. It is a wondrous and vibrant place where absolutely anything is possible. This captivating picture book celebrates the boundless magic of creativity and shows how a little bit of paint can bring the wildest imaginations to life. It is a beautiful reminder that every child holds the power to color their own world.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Growing up surrounded by canvases and paint, a young boy finds endless inspiration in his family's art studio. A painting of shoes makes him want to measure his own small feet against his father's big boots. The swirling colors of an abstract piece make him want to spin wildly across the room with his older sister. And the moon shining outside looks exactly like the one glowing on his mother's canvas. Told through four vibrant verses, this beautiful picture book is a joyful celebration of growing up, discovering art, and feeling the deep, unbreakable love of a creative family.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
All he ever wanted to do was fly. From the dusty dirt roads of Alabama to the sprawling skies of Europe, one young boy's boundless love of flight carries him toward a destiny he never could have imagined. Discover the incredible journey of the Tuskegee Airmen, the brave and under-celebrated heroes of World War II. Through soaring words and sweeping imagery, readers will experience the immense courage of these real-life aviators who changed the world. This inspiring picture book honors a vital piece of American history and the power of holding onto a dream, showing every child that the sky is truly the limit.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
This stunning and melodic picture book captures the dawn breaking on a dark chapter in history, offering a joyous celebration of emancipation and a vital look at an essential American holiday that changed the entire nation forever. It is a powerful story of hope, endurance, and the true meaning of freedom. The morning started like any other, with a family working hard in the cotton fields of Texas under the hot sun. But by the evening, everything had completely changed. Through the eyes of one little girl, experience the profound joy of the very first Juneteenth, the historic day when freedom finally reached the last enslaved people in the South.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Once upon a time, a girl dreamed she swam deep into the cool ocean, completely ignoring the people on the shore who yelled that she should stay dry just like everyone else. Why should she listen to the limitations others try to place on her? This inspiring and visually striking picture book serves as a powerful rallying cry for girls everywhere. Through dynamic photocollage art and uplifting poetry, young readers are encouraged to embrace their unique identities, reject unfair boundaries, and boldly pursue their biggest dreams without ever apologizing for who they are. It is an empowering celebration of individuality.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Lottie Paris is a highly precocious and spirited little girl who lives with her Papa Pete across from a beautiful park. Even though she is very smart, she still knows exactly how to act like a kid. She loves dressing up in fun outfits, zooming down the slide, and politely requesting cookies instead of her vegetables. With a massive imagination, Lottie sees boundless possibilities in the simplest everyday moments. This vibrant picture book invites readers into the joyful mind of a sassy, confident girl and her deeply loving relationship with her grandfather, proving that every day is an adventure when you have a big imagination.
6-8 Years
16 Pages
Lottie Paris has an absolute favorite place in the entire world: the library! It is the perfect spot to check out towering stacks of books about outer space. She knows there are rules about being quiet, even if they are sometimes tricky for a highly spirited girl to follow. Then she meets Carl, another enthusiastic reader whose favorite place is also the library. But Carl prefers reading all about massive dinosaurs! As the two children bond over their shared love of books, they begin to explore each other's favorite topics. This delightful and charming picture book celebrates the joy of reading, the magic of the library, and the excitement of making wonderful new friends.
6-8 Years
18 Pages
Grandmama could hit a baseball a mile, catch anything thrown her way, and play the game just like the legendary Josh Gibson. But growing up as a girl in the 1940s meant she faced tremendous challenges on the field. Even though she was not allowed to play in the major leagues, her love for the game and her incredible talent shone through every time she stepped up to the plate. Listen as she shares her inspiring story of playing with the boys and showing everyone exactly what she could do with a bat and a glove. This powerful, heartwarming tale is a beautiful reminder that the small steps we take can inspire everyone around us. It celebrates the determination and dreams of those who never gave up on the game they loved, making it a perfect story for young sports fans everywhere.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
36 Pages
From the very first time she banged a rattle in her crib, Violet has been deeply in love with music. She plays instruments and sings at every possible opportunity. But she cannot help wondering where all the other kids are who dream about music all day long. Whether she is playing at the beach, visiting the zoo, or starting kindergarten, Violet never stops searching for friends who share her unique rhythm. This lively and upbeat picture book reminds young readers that the right friends are always out there if you stay true to yourself and keep looking.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
In the bright morning light, a little girl watches her big sister Kyla tapping at the birds outside the window. Whatever Kyla does, her younger sister wants to do exactly the same. From the start of the day until the sun goes down, it is a joyful game of follow the leader between two best friends. Whether they are walking to the store or playing in the yard, the little sister is right behind her. But when evening finally arrives, it might just be Kyla's turn to follow. This warm and deeply affectionate picture book perfectly captures the special bond and quiet magic of sisterhood.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
When Maya's grandfather visits from Alaska, he brings a large crate containing a special surprise. He says it will teach her all about fun and sharing. Maya crosses her fingers for a horse or maybe an older brother, but what steps out is Julius, a massive and incredibly cool pink pig. While her parents might see Julius as a messy slob, Maya sees something completely different. She sees a loyal protector, a playful companion, and a friend who makes every single day wild and magical. This hilarious and joyful picture book is a perfect celebration of love, unexpected friendship, and sharing.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Take a gentle journey into the future with a touching story about the special bond between a grandchild and a grandparent. In this sweet tale, a young girl dreams about what life will be like when she finally grows old alongside her beloved Grandaddy. You can imagine all the wonderful things they will do together, from sitting comfortably on the porch and eating bacon to playing card games all day long. Their shared adventures even take them to the edge of the ocean. Experience a heartwarming reflection on family, love, and the simple joys of spending time with the people who matter most. This tender narrative celebrates the beauty of family traditions and the quiet moments that build lasting memories across generations.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
There is a sweet smell of roses in the air as two young girls quietly slip out of their house. Down the street and across town, they join a gathering crowd of men and women who are ready to march for freedom and justice. Inspired by the countless youth who stood up against inequality, this moving picture book highlights the vital role children played in the Civil Rights Movement. It is a powerful and uplifting look at how even the youngest voices can help change the course of history, reminding readers that bravery and hope belong to people of all ages.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
36 Pages
