Floyd Cooper, an amazing and inspiring author/illustrator, passed away in 2021. He wrote and/or illustrated more than 100 books for children, and was known for being a kind and thoughtful mentor. In his honor, the Children’s Book Council has established Floyd Cooper Day, celebrating his life, his work, and his legacy. Friends of Floyd Cooper, The Brown Bookshelf, Highlights Foundation (they have established a scholarship in his name), and The African American Children’s Book Project are all participating.

TRIBUTES:

KidLit TV has produced original videos featuring Crystal Allen, Tameka Fryer Brown, Judy Allen Dodson, Patti Gauch, Nikki Grimes, Leah Henderson, Cheryl Willis Hudson & Wade Hudson, Sharon Langley, Torrey Maldonado, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Charles Smith, and Don Tate reading from their favorite Floyd Cooper books.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE (and win books):

Head over to Every Child a Reader to find out how your school, library, or bookstore can participate during Children’s Book Week (May 2-8). Submit your display by May 12, and you could even win $100 worth of free books! The site also contains links to teachers’ guides for some of his books.

DRAWING DEMO:

Check out a live drawing session sponsored by NYTimes books.

MY RECENT BOOK REVIEWS:

Here are links to two amazing books illustrated by Floyd Cooper that I’ve reviewed: Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and A Day for Rememberin’ by Leah Henderson.

Google lists some of Floyd Cooper’s many, many books.

Follow and use #FloydCooperDay on social media to see more and share more about his work.