Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is the November author for the 2021 Author Study Challenge. We are swinging back a little older with Vaunda Nelson, like we did with Kate DiCamillo over the summer. Vaunda Nelson is an award winning author of picture books for older children and books for young adults.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2021 AUTHOR STUDY CHALLENGE
Meet Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is a life long book lover and former youth librarian who writes wonderful books for children. She has won countless awards for her various titles, which primarily focus on Black History. You can see her full list of published titles on her blog.
Learn More about Vaunda Micheaux Nelson: https://vaundamicheauxnelson.com/
Click Here to Get the Preschool Author Study Pack
Picture Books by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Let ‘er Buck: George Fletcher, the People’s Champion
Full of Western lingo and the wild world of rodeos, this is a fun setting to jump into. It is the story about a black cowboy who is robbed of his win by a racist judge. The audience declares their own champion. A story full of flair and unlikely heroes. Find Online
Don’t Call Me Grandma
This is a story about generational differences and relationships. The great grandmother in this story isn’t the hugging, doting kind and that makes connecting with her tricky. I like how real these characters feel and how they open the door for a conversation about assumptions and relationships. Find Online
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore
THE BOOK ITCH is the first book I read by Vaunda Micheasux Nelson. It immediately captivated me with her beautiful use of language and the fascinating, but less known history. This is a true story about a one of a kind bookstore in Harlem. Find Online
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall
The striking illustrations first drew me in, but this is a fascinating story. It is a nonfiction look at Bass Reeves – an escaped slave who became the first African American US Marshal. It is interesting and more unique look at the Old West. Find Online
Juneteenth
co-author Drew Nelson
Juneteenth day is our newest federal holiday, but this book has been describe it’s importance for a while. This is about that moment when the message reaches Texas – slavery has ended. Find Online
Almost to Freedom
This award winning picture book brings to life one family’s escape to freedom through the eyes of a little girl’s doll. The perspective makes this feel unique and accessible but nonetheless powerful and inspiring. Find Online
Easy Readers by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the March on Washington
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his March on Washington are summarized well in this easy reader book. It’s a smart and solid nonfiction easy reader introduction to this important period of history. Find Online
Ready? Set. Raymond!
Raymond is a lively set of three stories about a school aged boy. They are fun relatable stories about brushing his teeth, making friends, all at his top speed. Find Online
Author Study Activity Ideas
Playing with the books you read, writing and creating based on what you read, imitating an author’s style or aspects of their work is part of the fun of author studies. The options are unlimited.
When I’m deciding how to extend our reading, I think about my favorite unifying aspects of an artist’s work and themes that we love. For example, the materials they use to craft their illustrations. The theme of their work – maybe science or animals or every day life. Then I think of some creative ways to explore those with my kids. There is no incorrect direction to go with this. Explore, try things, have fun.
Writing Ideas
- Write about your own family history. What interesting characters are in your family or in your family’s past? What obstacles did they overcome?
- Read several books about the same historical period or person and then write a summary of what you learned or give a report about the most interesting facts.
Other Ideas
- Use one of Vaunda’s stories to inspire a unit or further exploration into a time period or historical person. The wild west or Juneteenth day for instance.
- Lean into the Western theme of a couple of Vaunda’s books with any of these fun Wild West Activities from Kid Activities.
- I love the easy costume and pretend play ideas in this Western Themed round up on Preschool Plan It.
#2021authorstudychallenge
Share your favorite books and Vaunda Micheaux Nelson activities on Instagram with the hashtag #2021authorstudychallenge.
