Vashti Harrison
author - illustrator - filmmaker
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Leaders & Dreamers
A Collection of Prints
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Leaders and Dreamers come together in this beautiful collection of prints from #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison.
This inspiring book of prints features twenty celebrations of world-changing women. Vashti Harrison’s beloved illustrations of historical figures — scientists, activists, artists, and more — are the perfect gift for today’s young leaders.
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Little Legends
Exceptional Men in Black History
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Book 3 In Stores Now!
New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison shines a bold, joyous light on black men through history.
An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history.
Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, musician Prince, photographer Gordon Parks, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.
The legends in this book span centuries and continents, but what they have in common is that each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.
"This is a book many have been waiting for, and it does not disappoint....Inspiring and healing as it educates, this volume belongs beside its companion on every bookshelf,”
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Kirkus Reviews, Starred review
Thoughtful, thorough, and accessible. . . This striking book will resonate with readers in search of biographies of pioneering black men in history,”
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School Library Journal Starred review
"Inventors, authors, musicians, activists and others come to life in Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison with Kwesi Johnson”
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Shelf Awareness Starred review
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Little Dreamers
Visionary Women Around the World
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Book 2 in Stores Now!
Published by
LittleBrown Books for Young Readers
From the New York Times bestselling author of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History comes the highly anticipated follow-up, a beautifully illustrated collectible detailing the lives of women creators around the world.
Featuring the true stories of 40 women creators, ranging from writers to inventors, artists to scientists, Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World inspires as it educates. Readers will meet trailblazing women like Mary Blair, an American modernist painter who had a major influence on how color was used in early animated films, actor/inventor Hedy Lamar, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, filmmaker Agnes Varda, and physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. Some names are known, some are not, but all of the women had a lasting effect on the fields they worked in.
The charming, information-filled full-color spreads show the Leaders as both accessible and aspirational so reader knows they, too, can grow up to do something amazing.
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Puffin Books will publish simultaneously in the UK, use the link below to order that edition!
Shelf Awareness
"Each woman...seems to be looking within, mustering the strength necessary to persevere in the face of daunting odds."
Kirkus Reviews
"...their small figures and sweet, round faces invite child readers to imagine themselves in such roles. The effect is purely magical."
Here Wee Read
"...it does not disappoint! It is truly black girl magic at its finest and so necessary for every school and home library."
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History is the debut book from Vashti Harrison. Based on her popular Instagram posts from Black History Month 2017 it features 40 biographies of African American women that helped shape history. It is a 96-page paper over board book published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.
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Follow Your Dreams,
Little One
In stores now!
This beautifully illustrated board book highlights true stories of black men in history. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, lawman Bass Reeves, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.
The legends in this book span centuries and continents, but what they have in common is that each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.
SHOP THE COLLECTION!
Board Book
adaptation of book one, features 18 leaders, written for toddlers
Book Two
Little Leaders: Visionary Women around the World
Board Book
adaptation of book two, features 18 dreamers, written for toddlers
Leaders & Dreamers
box set!
Get both books 1and 2 together, plus an exclusive print!
UPCOMING EVENTS
INTERVIEWS
VIDEO
PODCASTS
PUBLICITY
PUBLICITY CONTACT
Thank you so much for your interest in Little Leaders. For publicity, events, or interviews please use the form below to be connected with the publicist from my publisher LittleBrown Books for Young Readers.
*Please use the above form for Publicity only. For general contact please visit this page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Thank you so much for your interest in Little Leaders. This is my debut book, so I'm definitely new to the world of publishing and may not be able to provide all of the answers. I don't have official word on all of this and may need to defer to my publisher and agent for a lot of things, but here I've answered some of the most frequent questions I get about Little Leaders!
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Where can I get Little Leaders?
Wherever books are sold. You can currently order online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target and more.
What would be the best though is to support a local bookstore - you can ask them to order it for you, that way you're supporting a local business!
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Can I get a signed copy?
I only sign books at live events you can bring a book to be signed, or in most cases, buy one there!
I unfortunately cannot have any books shipped to me to be signed, so definitely keep an eye out for my local events!
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Are they available outside the U.S.?
As of now my books are available in North America (US and Canada) and a UK editions are available in Australia, New Zealand and the UK
If you want to purchase the U.S. version but have it delivered to another country websites like this offer that option.
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Is Little Leaders available in another language?
Each translation or publication in another country requires a separate agreement from the foreign markets.
Basically, its not up to me! Id need to convince a publisher in that country to buy/publish it!
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Why are they little if they're supposed to be bold?
I created these characters to be little girls dressing up as famous women. The character is defined by its sweetness and friendliness. I think its great to show that boldness can come from the Little as well as the Big. For me its also really important to showcase boldness and bravery can come in different shapes and sizes. It can also come in the form of the quiet, shy or introverted.
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Why are their eyes closed?
For me the pose with the eyes down and subtle smile is one of serenity. It harkens back to classic children's illustrations done by Mary Blair or Mr Happy by Roger Hargreaves. It's a throwback to those vintage pieces I love. I wanted to see black girls treated with the same sweetness as classic characters like that inspire me!
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Additionally, since I saw them as children dressing up as famous women, I wanted the page to feel like they're playing pretend. In their review Shelf Awareness said:
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"Each woman, depicted in clothing and costumes reflective of her time and vocation, seems to be looking within, mustering the strength necessary to persevere in the face of daunting odds. Backgrounds are minimal, rendered mostly in pale shades, which leaves the focus on the women and helps ground them in history."
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I think this nails it right on the head. I love thinking that they're closing their eyes, looking inside themselves, to step into the shoes of these famous people, emulating their story.
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Will you make more books like this?
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As of now I don't have any more books that I am currently working on. I hope to continue in other ways.
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Can I book you for a school visit?
I am currently not booking any school visits.
I will post updates when I will be available!
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Will you visit my city?
I hope to do more events soon, but I am based on the East Coast and may only be able to visit the northeast and midatlantic in the coming months. Fingers crossed for the future!
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More questions? Drop me a line on my contact page!
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