Books by DeAnn Wiley

A joyful new picture book about finding the courage to jump into something that intimidates you.

When Shay's family gathers for a day at Granny’s house, there's one thing she can count on: there will be double Dutch. Shay would much prefer if her family would join her in another activity, like rollerblading or hula hooping (the stuff Shay does best!).

But there's no convincing her cousins, or her aunties, who can't wait to join the fun! Luckily, Shay's family is supportive, and with just the right balance of encouragement and bravery, Shay might be able to conquer her fears. She may even have what it takes to be a double Dutch Queen!

Homegrown

"Homegrown" by DeAnn Wiley is a picture book celebrating the concept of family and home. It follows a Black child exploring what "home" means through family traditions, care, and love, narrated in the first person. The book emphasizes the importance of creating and passing along memories within a loving extended family context. Warm, collage-like digital illustrations accompany the simple and fluid prose, making it a suitable intergenerational read-aloud

Kirkus Review

The warm, collagelike, digitally rendered illustrations spotlight the memories of a loving extended Black family. The beautifully textured spreads and simple, fluid prose complement one another, setting an easy pace.

Marley is a little nonbinary kid with big anxieties. Crowds? Pass. Loud noises? No, thanks. When their Zaza is up for an award at Pride, they want to go to the parade for the first time with their beloved grandparent. But can Marley overcome their fears? Highlighting the joyful experiences of a queer Black family finding community at Pride, this story features endmatter about the history of Pride, a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms, and a list of resources.

For fans of Matt de la Pena and Grace Byers, My Afro Is a Rising Sun is a dazzling picture book inviting BIPOC children to fully express themselves, celebrate their Blackness, and embrace their ancestry. 

Black afros are more than just afros. They are a symbol of Black joy. They remind us to embrace our identity, cherish our culture, and remember our heritage. This stunning picture book is an ode to Black hair and a reminder to all children to see the beauty in other people—even those who don’t look like them.

Sarah’s ordinary day changes when her dad takes her to a protest against police violence. Scared by the crowd, she follows a butterfly and ends up between the police and protesters, witnessing the harsh reality of those meant to protect her. Inspired by the Minneapolis Uprising, Sarah Rising offers a child’s view of protests, racial injustice, and the power of community.

This stunning, early-concept board book series features an intergenerational Black family over the course of a day at the local grocery store, as readers learn colors and numbers. 

When Mom realizes there are zero eggs in the house, the entire family heads to the store to pick up more. Readers can join the counting fun as the family shops and adds more items to their basket–from three bananas to five plums–amid the backdrop of a bustling market. Publishing simultaneously with The Rainbow Park, The Numbers Store studies numbers through the experience of an intergenerational Black family’s trip to the local grocery store.

This board book explores all of the colors of the rainbow through the adventures of a modern, Black, intergenerational family in (and with) their community.  

On an outing to the local community park, a family explores all the colors of the rainbow–from a favorite red slide and purple sprinkler to a yellow bench where grandparents watch and relax. Publishing simultaneously with The Numbers Store, The Rainbow Park is part of an exciting new board book series, featuring an intergenerational Black family over the course of a day, that teaches readers early-concepts such as colors and numbers.