Here Wee Read

43 - 10 Children’s Books Publishing in 2022: JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD

Charnaie Gordon Season 4 Episode 9

JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD is an author, educator, literary advocate, and mother who is committed to nurturing the next generation of readers by writing stories with more diversity and representation.


Among her books releasing this year is a collaboration with Grammy-winning pop star Ciara and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson titled Why Not You? a picture book to inspire young readers to see the value in themselves, be brave, and go after their biggest dreams!


JaNay’s first children’s book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show and Storytime with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award.


Every book JaNay writes is a celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, diversity, inclusivity, and learning. She aims to change the lives of her young readers by using her books as a powerful form of representation.  JaNay loves to write, bake, teach, and spend time with her husband and her daughter, Vivian. She has a whopping ten children’s books publishing in 2022!

Books mentioned in this episode:

Purchase Miguel’s Community Garden here.

Purchase Why Not You? here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com


Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.

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