Karen Latchana Kenney’s new book received a starred review from Kirkus who called it, “An extraordiarily well-researched, well-presented, and visually appealing book on a fascinating subject.” Pre-order it here. 

Nancy Cooper at AnnickPress has acquired an untitled middle grade debut novel by Nicholas DeShaw (Loaf the Cat Goes to the Powwow), about an Anishnaabe boy, Zaagaaso, who takes up the fight for land and water rights his mother started years ago before she was killed. When a long-disappeared manoomin crop mysteriously regrows overnight, Zaagaaso, with the help of his best friend, their history teacher, and a few supernatural beings, fight to protect their home from those who want to steal it. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Jacqui Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency sold world rights.

DeShaw also has a new picture book coming out in 2027 with Nancy Paulsen Press called A Song for a Pony.

Karen Latchana Kenney’s book Snow Steps is a finalist in the 2025 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards!!

Saint Paul Public Library cards are looking good! Congratulations to Kao Kalia Yang. Her first picture book is featured in the art!

Thuba Nguyễn has restocked a few copies of her beautiful book at Red Balloon Bookshop. Pick one up while suppies last!

The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang won the Asian Pacific American Honor Award from the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association. Wow!!

Rondo Writing Competition -Now accepting submissions 

Calling all writers! The Rondo Writing Competition is open for submissions of original children’s books about Rondo history and culture. They welcome submissions from all African American writers, both youth and adults living in Minnesota.

The winner will receive $1,500 and published copies of the book. Check out their website for more information: Open: Rondo Writing Competition

Deadline: October 1, 2025

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Grab a snack and favorite beverage, turn on your computer, and sit back to enjoy a beautiful hour of BIPOC adoptee voices, community, and Palestinian solidarity. Register here.

• Date: Thursday, July 31st 

• Time: 6–7pm PST

• Cost: Minimum $5

• Format: Virtual

Remona Htoo and Shannon Gibney will be at The Midtown Global Market Authors & Illustrators Book Fair. The Market will be packed with books, authors, and literary fun with a focus on picture books through young adult.

Discover new literary characters, meet talented local writers, and support Minnesota’s literary community. This free event gives all the chance to stop by and donate new or gently used books as well. There will also be face painting, storytelling, and amazing food from the restaurants at the Market. Whether you’re a bookworm, aspiring author, or just looking for a fun and unique weekend activity, this is the perfect event.

This event is supported by Strive Publishing and Bookstore. Strive aims to inspire community collaboration through publishing stories to heal, teach, learn, and earn, while building an ecosystem that embodies a rich Black culture and heritage.

Emiko Rainbow will be vending picture books, unique stickers, rainbow mystery bags and more at her pop up!  Powderhorn Park Art Fair | Sat & Sun August 2nd - 3rd | 10 am - 5 pm 

Join V.T Bidania and Art Coulson for meet and greets at the Midtown Farmers Market on August 2nd. The first 10 visitors will get free signed books! More info at picturebookparade.com

Shannon Gibney will be keynoting this summer's Camp Read-a-Lot Conference, at the SMSU Conference Center, in Marshall, Minnesota on August 5th. This is a conference for K-12 school library media specialists and teachers to celebrate reading, learn, and network.

For more information or to sign up, visit: https://readingmn.wixsite.com/website

Attend the MN Reading Association’s Summer Institute featuring keynote speaker Kao Kalia Yang! Break out session topics include:

• Peace education & practices

• Best practices in literacy

• Trauma informed teaching

• Culturally relevant teaching practices

• Climate Literacy

• Engaging students

• Critical Literacy

• Storytelling

• Windows & Mirrors in literacy

• Project Based Literacy & The Science of Reading

• Peace and Art

Register here.

Read With Me MN is partnering with with Studio 42 Mpls to bring this exciting event to our city. Their fundraising efforts will go directly to promoting and celebrating diversity in children's literature by amplifying the voices of local authors and illustrators. This is done through book donations, author and illustrator school visits, community events, and more.

Books by collective members are part of the live action silent auction, so get in there and place your bid!

Location: The Hennepin Event Center

Date: August 8, 2025

Time: 5:00–10:00 PM

TICKET LINK

Join collective members Sarah Warren, Cristina Oxtra, and Karen Latchana Kenney for story times at the MOA!

Author Nicholas DeShaw will be presenting at the Perpich Arts Indigenous Authors Panel on August 12. He’ll also be doing a reading at Franklin Library on August 9. find out more here.

Join Trần Thị Minh Phước, Thuba Nguyen, Jade Amez, and Rosemond Sarpong Owens at the Landmark Center in St Paul on Sunday, August 17th! Click here for details!

Karen Latchana Kenney will be a Blue Ribbon Author at the MN State Fair's Alphabet Forest on August 23, sharing her picture book Snow Steps and doing a fun summer snowman literacy craft with kids!

Jade Amez will be exhibiting at the Printers Row Lit Fest on September 6th and 7th, at the Dakota Festival of Books from September 16th- 18th and at the Kansas Book Festival on September 20th.

Cristina Oxtra will be at the Minnesota Children's Book Festival in Red Wing, Minnesota, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13. Find out more on their website!

Shannon Gibney and her son are reading and discussing this book together right now!

Sarah Warren LOVES this new picture book about one of her heroes!

Shannon Gibney and Sarah Warren were on MPR News with Angela Davis talking about books that connect! You can find out more and listen to the conversation here.

Emiko Rainbow painted a mural for the MPower Northside Arts Festival at The Haven Food Pantry!

A Literacy Trip to Ghana

In June and July, MN BIPOC KidLit Creators members Nasra Noor and Dr. Artika Tyner visited Ghana in west Africa to explore its rich history and share the importance of literacy with students around the country. They went on a tour of different cities learning more about the painful yet powerful history of the transatlantic slave trade, visiting many places including the Cape Coast Slave Castle and Freedom and Justice Square.

They had many special moments on the trip, but their visit to a learning center was especially meaningful. The children there welcomed them with song while wearing traditional attire. Nasra and Artika shared books, school supplies, and more with the students, and the students shared their smiles, hugs, and high fives with them.

Here’s a photo of students at the learning center holding donated books from several MN BIPOC members, including Sarah Warren, Thuba Nguyễn, Monica Rojas, and Emiko Rainbow.