Nyasha Williams discusses her mission to decolonize literature by creating books that share important information accessible for all ages. Her books, including Ally Baby: Can Be Antiracist and Keep Dreaming Black Child, emphasize the importance of taking action and being an ally while acknowledging the need for humility—the conversations her books spark can help create a more equitable world.

Nyasha Williams is an author, creator, and activist who works to decolonize literature, minds, and spiritual practices one day at a time. She is also the author of the picture books What’s the Commotion in the Ocean? and I Affirm Me ABCs. 

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Ally Baby Can Be Antiracist on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Keep Dreaming Black Child on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Black Tarot on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Resources:

For more information, visit https://www.nyashawilliams.online/⁠.

Discussion Topics:

Nyasha talks about:

• Her mission to decolonize literature and how she got into writing children's books driven by her love for water and eco-activism.
• The writing process through ancestral connection.
• Challenges of funding and editing in the publishing world, especially regarding getting sample illustrations and pushing into higher realms.
• Creating the "Ally Baby Can" series and incorporating rhyming in the books.
• How the illustrations in the books are designed to convey messages even if the child cannot access the words.
• The inclusion of a glossary for formal terminology.
• How she hopes the books will resonate with readers.
• Taking action and being an ally and needing humility, hard conversations, and acknowledging diversity to create a more equitable world.

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