Don Tate (born December 21, 1963) is an American author and illustrator of
books for children
Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader.
Children's ...
. He is also an activist promoting racial and cultural inclusiveness in children's literature. He notes that as a child he had to read the encyclopedia to discover a multicultural world; based on the children's books of his day he "thought the world was white". He co-founded the young
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
blog The Brown Bookshelf and helps run the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign to improve diversity of material in children's books.
Career
Tate began his career as an illustrator with ''Say Hey: A Song of Willie Mays'' (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2000), written by
Peter Mandel
Peter Mandel (born 1957) is an American journalist and children’s book author. Titles of his include ''Jackhammer Sam'' (Macmillan/Roaring Brook, 2011), ''Bun, Onion, Burger'' (Simon & Schuster, 2010), and ''Say Hey! A Song of Willie Mays'' (Hy ...
.
His first book as an author, ''It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw,'' illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, was published by
Lee & Low Books
Lee & Low Books is an independent children's book publisher focusing on diversity.
History
Lee & Low was founded in 1991 by Chinese Americans Tom Low and Philip Lee as a children's book publisher specializing in books featuring people of color a ...
in 2012. It is a "captivating" biography of folk artist
Bill Traylor
William Traylor (April 1, – October 23, 1949) was an African-American self-taught artist from Lowndes County, Alabama. Born into slavery, Traylor spent the majority of his life after emancipation as a sharecropper. It was only after 19 ...
, a former slave. The book received numerous awards such as a Lee & Low New Voices Honor Award and an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor. It was selected as a Kirkus Best Children’s Books List Selection, a Booklist Editors’ Choice, 2012, and a
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a public library system in New York City. With nearly 53 million items and 92 locations, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States (behind the Library of Congress ...
Top 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing as well as one of Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2012.
Tate's 2015 illustrated picture book ''Poet: The Remarkable Story of
George Moses Horton
George Moses Horton (1798–after 1867), was an African-American poet from North Carolina who was enslaved till the Emancipation Proclamation reached North Carolina (1865). Horton is the first African-American author to be published after th ...
Southern United States
The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
to write a book. Tate was inspired to write about Horton via a friend; he researched his life in the
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is the multi-campus public university system for the state of North Carolina. Overseeing the state's 16 public universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics, it is commonly referred to as the UNC Sy ...
archives. The Wilson Library at UNC hosted the national launch of the book on September 3, 2015. A review in the ''School Library Journal'' called the book "A lovely introduction to an inspirational American poet." The ''Boston Globe'' called it "a moving biography of a slave who taught himself to read using a discarded spelling book". In 2016, Tate won an
Ezra Jack Keats Book Award
The Ezra Jack Keats Book Award is an annual U.S. literary award.
At the Ezra Jack Keats Book Awards Ceremony every April, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation presents the New Writer Award (since 1985) and New Illustrator Award (since 2001) to an au ...
, A Christopher, and a Texas Institute of Letters book prize.
Tate was the recipient of the
Texas Book Festival
The Texas Book Festival is a free annual book fair held in Austin, Texas. The festival takes place in late October or early November. It is one of the top book festivals in the United States.
Beginnings
The festival was established in 1995 by L ...
's Texas Writer Award in 2021, and was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters in 2022.
In his work, Tate often writes about historical figures who persisted during the period of American slavery. In the New York Times article "'A Fine Dessert': Judging a Book by the Smile of a Slave," Tate was quoted on the topic, saying, "children's books needed to show a range of experience, including suffering and enduring." In 2016 television segment of
Texas Country Reporter
''Texas Country Reporter'' is a weekly syndicated television program, hosted and produced by Bob Phillips and Kelli Phillips, which airs in all twenty-two Texas media markets, generally on weekends, and nationally on the satellite/cable channel ...
, Tate spoke about his work with stories of enslaved people and preserving these important narratives, stating the importance of telling children the truth and not sugar coating history.
Bibliography
Author
*''Jerry Changed The Game: How Engineer Jerry Lawson Revolutionized Video Games Forever.'' Simon & Schuster. 2023
*''Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist
Ernie Barnes
Ernest Eugene Barnes Jr. (July 15, 1938 – April 27, 2009) was an American artist, well known for his unique style of elongated characters and movement. He was also a professional football player, actor and author.
Early life
Childhood
E ...
.'' Abrams. 2021
*''
William Still
William Still (October 7, 1821 – July 14, 1902) was an African-American abolitionist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, businessman, writer, historian and civil rights activist. Before the Ameri ...
And His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad.'' Peachtree Publishers. 2020
*''Strong As Sandow: How
Eugen Sandow
Eugen Sandow (born Friedrich Wilhelm Müller, ; 2 April 1867 – 14 October 1925) was a German bodybuilder and showman from Prussia. Born in Königsberg, Sandow became interested in bodybuilding at the age of ten during a visit to Italy. After a ...
Became The Strongest Man On Earth.'' Charlesbridge Publishing. 2017
*''It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw,'' illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Lee & Low Books. 2012
*''Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton.'' Peachtree Publishers. 2015 (for which Tate won the Carter G. Woodson Book Award)
Illustrator
*''Roto and Roy: To The Rescue'' (Little Brown, 2023), written by Sherri Duskey Rinker.
*''Roto and Roy: Helicopter Heroes'' (Little Brown, 2022), written by Sherri Duskey Rinker.
*''Swish! The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team. They combine athleticism, theater, and comedy in their style of play. Created in 1926 by Tommy Brookins in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name ''Harlem'' because of i ...
'' (Little Brown, 2020), written by Suzanne Slade.
*''Carter Reads The Newspaper'' (Peachtree Publishers, Feb 1. 2019), written by
Deborah Hopkinson
Deborah Hopkinson is an American writer of children's books, primarily historical fiction, nonfiction and picture books. She was born in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Selected books
*''Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt'' (1993)
*''Maria's Comet'' (1999 ...
. The Story of
Carter G. Woodson
Carter Godwin Woodson (December 19, 1875April 3, 1950) was an American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He was one of the first scholars to study the h ...
, "Father of Black History.".
*''No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas'' (Random House Children’s Books / Alfred A. Knopf BFYR), October. 2018), written by
Tonya Bolden
Tonya K. Bolden (born March 1, 1959) is an American writer best known for her works of children's literature, especially children's nonfiction.
Bolden has authored, co-authored, collaborated on, or edited more than forty books. Hillary Rodham C ...
. Named a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2019, assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council (CBC).
*''Stalebread Charlie and the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band'' (Clarion Books, July 10. 2018), written by Michael Mahin.
*''Par-Tay! Dance of the Veggies (And Their Friends)'' (Alazar, April 1. 2018), written by
Eloise Greenfield
Eloise Greenfield (May 17, 1929 – August 5, 2021) was an American children's book and biography author and poet famous for her descriptive, rhythmic style and positive portrayal of the African-American experience.
After college, Greenfield bega ...
.
*''Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream on Inventions'' (Charlesbridge, May. 2016), written by Chris Barton. A Junior Library Guild Selection, 2016.
*''The Amazing Age of
John Roy Lynch
John Roy Lynch (September 10, 1847 – November 2, 1939) was an American writer, attorney, military officer, author, and Republican politician who served as Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives and represented Mississippi in th ...
'' (Eerdmans Publishing, April. 2015), written by Chris Barton. A review in the ''School Library Journal'' said Tate was "the best possible artist for this story."
*''The Cart That Carried Martin'' (Charlesbridge, Aug. 2013), written by Eve Bunting. A Junior Library Guild Selection, 2013.
*''Hope’s Gift'' (Putnam Juvenile, 2012), written by Kelly Starling Lyons. A Winter/Spring Okra Pick by Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA).
*''Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite'' (Charlesbridge, 2011), written by Anna Harwell Celenza. (Recognized in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times holiday guides.)
*''She Loved Baseball: The
Effa Manley
Effa Louise Manley (March 27, 1897 – April 16, 1981) was an American sports executive. She co-owned the Newark Eagles baseball franchise in the Negro leagues with her husband Abe Manley from 1935 to 1948. Throughout that time, she served as th ...
Story'' (HarperCollins, 2010), written by
Audrey Vernick
Audrey Vernick is an American children's book author whose works include many featuring lesser-known figures in baseball history, including Larry Doby, Edith Houghton, Effa Manley, Max Patkin, and the Acerra brothers.
Selected works
* Scanlo ...
. A Junior Library Guild selection. School Library Journal said, "Both author and illustrator are on top of their games as they bring this inspiring story to life.” She Loved Baseball was honored by the Bank Street College of Education as a Best Children’s Books of the Year.
*''Ron’s Big Mission'' (Dutton, 2009), written by Rose Blue and Corrine Naden, is a Junior Library Guild spring 2009 selection.
*''I Am My Granda's Enkelin'' (Paraclete Press, 2007), written by Walter Wangerin Jr.
*''The Hidden Feast'' (August House, 2006), written by Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton.
*''Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit & His Walkin' Talkin' Friends'' (Houghton Mifflin, 2004), written by Alice McGill. Honored in 2005 with an Aesop Accolade Award from the American Folklore Society.
*''Black All Around!'' (Lee & Low Books, 2003), written by Patricia Hubbell.
*''The Legend of the Valentine: An Inspirational Story of Love and Reconciliation'' (Zondervan, 2002), written by Katherine Grace Bond.
*''Summer Sun Risin’'' (Lee & Low Books, 2002). Honored by the Bank Street College of Education as “Best Children’s Books of the Year for 2002.” It also received a Children’s Crown Award, 2003 by the National Christian School Association Master List.
*''Say Hey! A Song of Willie Mays'' (Hyperion Books for Children , 2000), written by Peter Mandell.
Short stories and essays
*''Macaroni and Cheese — with Ketchup,'' in ''Cookin' 'N Bookin' Texas Style,'' written by Tara Henderson Forrest, published by the Texas State Reading Association, Jan. 2004.
*''Stolen Jeans, Smoke Rings, and Self-Esteem'' in ''Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves,'' edited by Miranda Kenneally and E. Kristin Anderson, published by Zest Books, Oct. 2012.
*''Dance Like You Draw'' in ''Been There, Done That: School Dazed,'' edited by Mike Winchell, published by Grosset & Dunlap, August 23, 2016.
*''Wiz Kid'' in ''Been There, Done That: School Dazed,'' edited by Mike Winchell, published by Grosset & Dunlap, August 23, 2016.
*''The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth'' (Yearling, 2021), edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Hudson.
*''Recognize: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life''(Crown Books for Young Readers, 2021), edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Hudson.
Other activities
In addition to children’s books, Tate also licenses his art to product manufacturers. KIDZ is a line of juvenile bed and bathroom products including wallpaper, light switches, wall art and drawer knobs. He also has a line of children’s textile/fabric available at specialty fabric shops, which feature his designs. My Peepz, a group of African American characters, is marketed to tweeners and has been successful in the calendar market. Tate created the calendars due to a lack of African Americans on existing products.
Tate speaks at schools, public libraries and writing conferences, including the
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) is a private graduate-level art school in Montpelier, Vermont. It offers Master's degrees in low-residency and residential programs. Its faculty includes Pulitzer Prize finalists, National Book Award winners, ...
; Texas Writer’s League; Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Pathways to Literacy Conferences(International Institute of Literacy Learning).
Tate has been a featured illustrator/speaker/exhibitor at various literary festivals, including the Texas Book Festival, The Savannah Children’s Book Festival, The Dallas Children’s Book and Literary Festival, Bookamania (Chicago Public Library), and such conferences as: The International Reading Association; Texas Library Association Black Caucus Roundtable and The National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Personal
He and his family live in
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...