Earlier this month, picture book duo Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank embarked on a weeklong tour in the Washington, D.C., area, during which they accepted the Children’s Africana Book Award for Baby Goes to Market (Candlewick, 2017) and celebrated the launch of their new collaboration, B Is for Baby (Candlewick, Mar.). Atinuke and Brooksbank traveled from Wales and London, respectively, to host their first-ever joint events. In addition to readings, signings, and q&as, the creators delivered an interactive presentation that gave children the opportunity to dress up, as well as balance fruit baskets on their heads, just like Mama in the book. We’ve gathered a selection of highlights from the tour.
The Library of Congress Young Readers Center hosted author Atinuke (r.) and illustrator Angela Brooksbank for a celebration of Baby Goes to Market with local students on April 4. Photo: Shawn Miller, Library of Congress.
Winners of the Children’s Africana Book Awards at the ceremony at Howard University on April 5. (From l.): Mary Rand Hess, Toby Newsome, Nansubuga Isdahl, Keely Hutton, Kathryn Erskine, Atinuke, Angela Brooksbank, Arushi Raina, Portia Dery, and Leah Henderson. Photo: Harriet McGuire.
Atinuke with her event props in front of the Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C. Photo: Angela Brooksbank.
The authors were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Library of Congress. Photo: Angela Brooksbank.
Brooksbank helped lead an interactive demonstration at Twinbrook Elementary School, during an event held in partnership with An Open Book Foundation. Photo: Natalie Shelton.
A thank-you note to the author, courtesy of a Twinbrook Elementary School student. Photo: An Open Book Foundation.
Atinuke and Brooksbank appeared at the National Museum of African American History and Culture for a signing. It was a crowded day on the National Mall, in peak cherry blossom season. Photo: Rachel Johnstone.
The duo stopped by Politics & Prose’s Union Market location on April 7 for a story time and signing. Here, a father and son show off their outfits. Photo: Angela Brooksbank.
Atinuke and Brooksbank visited Dumfries Elementary in Alexandria, Va.—in an event organized by Hooray for Books—where they discussed their creative process. Photo: Emily Henry.
A springtime stroll at the National Arboretum, in between events. Photo: Paul Borchers.
Atinuke was joined by young listeners for a story time at East City Book Shop in Washington, D.C. Photo: Dana Gillespie.
For the final day of the tour, the creators presented their books at Burgundy Farm Country Day School in Alexandria, in partnership with Barstons Child’s Play. Here, Brooksbank looks at a live drawing she created with children in the library. Photo: Paul Borchers.
