Q&A
Tell us something interesting about yourself:
I can take a single fact and build a whole world around it, breathing life into untold stories and turning complex history into adventures kids love.
My spirit animal is a bird because it represents freedom, exploration, and joy.
Current job title:
Author-Educator.
How would you describe your identity?
I'm a Black woman of Jamaican descent, born and raised in the United States. My heritage and experiences shape the stories I tell and the perspectives I bring to my writing.
Tell us your favourite medium for reading:
I like turning the pages of a book and folding the corners of my favourite parts so that I can reread them later.
Tell us your favourite location for reading:
My favourite place to read is a quiet, comfortable, plush soft couch or my bed with a pillow propped underneath me.
Book title:
Freedom Braids.
What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book?
My creative process mixes imagination with respect for history. I research carefully to honour real experiences, then write characters and scenes that bring those stories to life for kids to connect with.
In 2016, I took a historical deep dive into traditional African hair braiding. I was working on my previous picture book When Mama Braids My Hair, and I wanted to learn about the origins of specific styles as well as their significance in different cultures across the African continent.
During my research, I was astounded to learn that traditional African hairstyles served as “maps” that helped to free enslaved people in Colombia. This extraordinary history became the inspiration for my book Freedom Braids.
Favourite character or moment from the book – and why?
My favourite moment in the book was when Nemy planted herself in front of Big Mother as memories of home and love came rushing back.
This is a pivotal scene because in this moment, Nemy’s world shifts from pain and despair to comfort, community, and a miracle waiting to happen. From this point on, Nemy’s life has a new purpose that she must fulfil.
What themes or messages does your book raise?
Freedom Braids reveals themes of resilience and heritage. By honouring and sharing these stories, children can see themselves and feel inspired.
Today, young children throughout the African Diaspora can relate to getting their hair braided. In this story, they learn that their hairstyles are a large part of their history and that they were tools for liberation.
I wrote Freedom Braids to educate, affirm, and inspire Black children. While the genre is for ages 5 and up, the overall topic and historical content make it suitable for older children as well.
Overall, the stories of Black people and our experiences need to be widely reflected, honoured, and celebrated within children’s books. I also aim to honour the legacy of a rich culture and share a story that helps us all connect to the truth of our shared humanity.
How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words?
Poetic, heartfelt, and vivid.
What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations?
The part of the story I connected with most was when the braids mirrored the pathways the characters took after escaping, symbolising their journey to freedom.
This inspired the illustrator to design cornrows that echoed the shapes of rivers and trails shown on the spread, creating a visual link between the characters' hair and the landscape they travelled.
Materials and techniques used for this book’s illustrations:
Digital techniques.
Favourite illustration – and why?
My favourite illustration is when the braids mirrored the pathways the characters took after escaping, symbolising their journey to freedom. It's so vivid and resonates so deeply.
Connect
IG: @sweetpeabooks
