Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Shauntay Grant (My Fade is Fresh)!
Meet the Author: Shauntay Grant
Shauntay Grant (she/her) is an author, poet, playwright, and multimedia artist. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and is an associate professor of creative writing at Dalhousie University. A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, her honors include a Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, a Joseph S. Stauffer Prize, and a Poet of Honor prize from the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Learn more about her at shauntaygrant.com
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About the Book: My Fade is Fresh
A little girl makes sure she walks out of the barbershop rocking the fabulous hair style she chooses. Learn the importance of speaking up for what you want through this fun and empowering picture book.
When a little girl walks into her local barbershop, she knows she wants the flyest, freshest fade on the block! But there are so many beautiful hairstyles to choose from, and the clients and her mother suggest them all: parts, perms, frizzy fros, dye jobs, locs, and even cornrows!
But this little girl stays true to herself and makes sure she leaves the shop feeling on top with the look she picks!
Author Shauntay Grant’s sweet, rhyming story encourages young girls to be self-confident and celebrates the many shapes and forms Black hair can take. Through their stunning illustrations, Kitt Thomas is able to bring life and movement to the versatile styles featured in this book.
~Author Chat~
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
The main character—I love how she sticks up for the hairstyle she wants.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the book?
The title.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
Trust your voice.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
The joy in the main character’s face as she rocks her fresh fade. And all of those lovely barbershop details like the hair creams and combs.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
More books. I’m working on new picture books, and also writing a few new plays, and the poetry for a song cycle.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
Believe in your beauty. Believe in yourself.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
Dreaming.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
You are a vessel full of thoughts, ideas, questions, memories, experiences, dreams, and stories. Trust that what you see, feel, hear, and wonder about is worth something. Trust your voice. Your stories are worth telling.
Title: My Fade is Fresh
Author: Shauntay Grant
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Release Date: 11-01-2022
Publisher: Penguin Workshop; Penguin Young Readers
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 3-7 years
