In this episode, Charnaie interviews New York Times Bestselling author Derrick Barnes
and illustrator Gordon C. James.

Derrick Barnes wrote the New York Times bestseller The King of Kindergarten, as well
as the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (illustrated by
Gordon James), which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor,
the 2018 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young
Readers. He also wrote the bestselling chapter book series Ruby and the Booker Boys.
He owns the copy-writing company Say Word Creative Communications and created
the popular blog Raising the Mighty, where he "chronicles the experience of bringing up four beautiful Black boys in America." He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife
and their four sons.

Gordon C. James illustrated the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the
Fresh Cut (by Derrick Barnes), which received a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King
Illustrator Honor, an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor, the 2018 Kirkus Prize for
Young Readers, and a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. He also illustrated Let 'Er
Buck!: George Fletcher, the People Champion (by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson). He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.

Derrick and Gordon talk about how they got started with their careers, how they met and
discuss other exciting forthcoming projects they are working on.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: [email protected]

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!