Nadia's Notables
April 2024
Author’s Note
This past month, I received some rejection news. A book idea that I pitched was turned down. Two panels that I submitted for a conference were rejected. An audition I was invited to take part in, turned me down. When I did my call for submission for The Antiracist Kitchen, many, many kidlit authors said they couldn’t participate for a variety of reasons ranging from not liking the title to not thinking it was the right fit to not having enough time to meet the deadlines to “not getting it at all”. I’ve applied for many, many opportunities over the years and it’s never easy to receive.
And within the same week, I shared the cover of my tenth book, Getting Us to Grandma’s House, received the news that I got the ETFO Antiracism and Equity Activism Award, and The Antiracist Kitchen has already been shortlisted to made its way to a summer reading list. And this is just the beginning.
The life of a writer, or any artist for that matter, is filled with much rejection but when the wins hit, they’re big and can keep you sailing just long enough to deal with the next closed door.
So stay hopeful (and persistent) my friends.
Nadia L. Hohn
In this issue…
Getting Us to Grandma’s Cover Reveal
ETFO Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award
Canadian Children’s Book Week April 28-May 4, 2024
What’s Up Next?
Getting Us to Grandma’s Cover Reveal
The wait is finally over!
It’s #coverreveal time.
I present GETTING US TO GRANDMA’S written by me (Nadia L. Hohn), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, and published by Groundwood Books. This is my 10th book.
No one knows maps like Nikki — but can she get her family to Grandma’s house in time?
Nikki’s family is preparing for a long road trip from Toronto to the Bronx to attend Uncle Travis’s wedding. They pack their suitcases, boxes of Jamaican black cake, and most importantly to Nikki, the big map book!
Inspired by our childhoods, GETTING US TO GRANDMA’S is full of fun historic details — a world before Google Maps! — and authentic cultural moments shared by diasporic families, whose stories can be traced across continents.
My illustrator, TeMika Grooms, an #Atlanta-based mother, #artist and former
TeMika virtually through the #AmplifyBlackStories, presented by the #HighlightsFoundation and #BrownBookshelf. We were part of the first cohort.
In summer 2023, we met face-to-face for the first time at our #AmplifyBlackStories reunion at #HighlightsRetreatCentre.
GETTING US TO GRANDMA’S releases on October 1, 2024. Available for pre-order wherever you buy your books!
Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
ETFO Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award
I received the 2023-2024 ETFO Anti-Racist and Equity Award.
It’s a true honour to receive this award. In my application, I described the work I did in conceptualizing, editing, and contributing to #TheAntiracistKitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes). I also shared about organizing and hosting #KidLit4BlackLivesCanada in 2020, my activities with my union provincially (#ETFO) and locally #ETT), and the work I continue to do.
The last few years have been challenging. It’s meant speaking up and calling in when it was uncomfortable. It’s meant walking away… sometimes alone. It’s meant new collaborations and alliances, too.
My hope is that my efforts contribute to a more equitable society, especially in the areas of education and children’s book publishing.
Thanks #ElementaryTeachersFederationofOntario and thanks to those have stood with me. Thanks #activists, #artivists, and #allies.
Canadian Children’s Book Week April 28-May 4, 2024
I’ll be taking part in Canadian Children’s Book Week in-person in Manitoba and Ontario and virtually in British Columbia.
What’s Up Next?
Books
Patty Dreams, Owlkids Books (January 1, 2025)
Getting Us to Grandma’s, Groundwood Books (October 1, 2024)
Editor and Contributor, The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes), Orca Books (Fall 2023)
Malaika, Carnival Queen, Groundwood Books (Spring 2023)
“Louise Go a Country” short story in 100+ Voices for Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays by Opal Palmer Adisa (ed.), University of West Indies Press (2022)
Kwanzaa section in Celebrate with me! Recipes, Crafts, and Holiday Fun from around the world Magic Cat Publishing/Abrams Kids (2022)
Malaika’s Surprise, Groundwood Books (2021)
A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice, Owlkids (2019)
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter, Harper Kids Publishers (2018)
Malaika Winter Carnival, Groundwood Books (Fall 2017)
Malaika’s Costume, Groundwood Books (Spring 2016)
Sankofa Music (Gr. 5) and Media (Gr. 6), Sankofa Series, Rubicon Publishing Inc. (2015)
© Nadia L. Hohn, 2024
Toronto, ON, Canada