VANESSA BRANTLEY NEWTON

Wishing you all the New Year full of positivity and enlightment!

Wishing Everyone the sweetest Holiday and Christmas ever!

It is at the very heart of what I do. Diversity. It's not just enough to show some children. We must reach out to touch all children. Children don't come to the planet hating people of other races. We teach them that through our actions and words. As an illustrator and storyteller my heart and job is to get it right. That ALL children get to see themselves in a picture book or at least the ones created by me. It's not everyone's heart to do so, but it's my calling and my desi

When Grandma Mimi comes to visit she always has a treasure or treat to share and no matter what it is it comes from inside her purse! I have enjoyed every moment of creating this wonderful book with my family and editor Kelly Delaney over at Random House Publishers. We wanted only to share the very special and sweet relationship of Grandmother and grandchild. Check out our trailer for the book. Grandma's Purse. What's in there?

https://www.commarts.com/columns/illustrating-color It's Dec 3, 2017 and we are still talking about why it's important that children of color be seen in children's books. While we have come a long ways since Dick and Jane, we still have miles to go where this subject is concerned. There is still a big void to fill in the world of children's books for all children of color. I know the power of seeing one's self in a picture book and the need of seeing it is so very important f