Nikki Shannon Smith

Nikki Shannon Smith is the author of numerous books, ranging from picture books to young adult. Her work includes the Azaleah Lane chapter book series and five titles in Capstone's multi-author historical fiction/adventure middle-grade series, Girls Survive. Nikki also wrote A Star Like Jesse Owens, a Smithsonian historical fiction title about the 1936 Olympics. Her forthcoming titles include Beautiful Colors (Random House/Little Golden Books, 2022) and additional board books in the Brown Baby Parade series. She is passionate about the authentic representation of all children and writes stories depicting the history and struggles of Black people as well as "Black joy." Her writing is informed not only by her research but by her childlike curiosity and nearly thirty years of elementary school teaching experience.
Nikki was born and raised in Oakland. She was a bookish child who sometimes got in trouble for reading instead of doing chores or homework. She now lives in Davis, California, but sneaks away for conferences whenever she can. Nikki is a daydreamer, lover of sweets and scary movies, and frequent visitor of Disneyland. In her spare time she loves to visit the coast. The first thing she packs in her suitcase is always a book. Learn more about Nikki and her books at nikkishannonsmith.com.

Ronique Ellis grew up in the countryside of Jamaica and spent her childhood either tucked away reading or exploring the great outdoors. Her passion for art began in her third-grade science class with a dolphin drawing assignment. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in computer art and animation and currently lives in Queens, New York. She is also the illustrator of Dwayne Johnson: A Little Golden Book Biography.