14 episodes, 15 guests, countless gems! Revisit powerful conversation with talented writers, illustrators, editors, booksellers, educators, librarians and others who help get books into the hands of readers. ▶️ www.youtube.com/channel/UCCv...

Thank you to all the amazing teachers who help our students learn and grow! 💐 (Image copyright Nancy Devard, published in the book Afro-Bets I’m Going to Be, written by Wade Hudson, published by Just Us Books) #TeacherAppreciationWeek

In The Children's Book Council’s Publisher’s Spotlight, our founders Wade and Cheryl Hudson talk about Just Us Books’ mission, titles they think deserve a bit more shine, and their publishing priorities for the future. Thanks for the spotlight CBC! www.cbcbooks.org/2025/04/09/p...

today on the blog: Emely Rumble, LCSW " To me, bibliotherapy is a form of liberation. It’s a deeply relational, sacred practice that uses literature to support healing, support the development of self-understanding, and affirm one’s lived experience." pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2025/04/10/i...

Spotted at one of our local libraries - Newark Public Library #FreedomtoRead #LibraryWeek

Join us in celebrating — and defending — the freedoms found in our libraries this National Library Week and #RighttoReadDay Check out the resources here: uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea...

“Speak the truth to the people Talk sense to the people Free them with reason Free them with honesty Free the people with Love and Courage and Care for their Being...” from “Speak The Truth To The People” published in Continuum: New and Selected Poems by Mari Evans #PoetryMonth

Congrats to Vanessa Brantley Newton who is bringing her many talents and amazing energy to @pbskids Ms. V & Me! invites children to create art, tell stories, and sing songs along with Vanessa (Ms. V) in her studio. Watch, enjoy and spread the word! youtu.be/CwASc2Re3Is

I 🤎 @thebrownbookshelf.bsky.social They're on my blog today! pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2025/02/28/2...

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” - Frederick Douglass In solidarity. #Economicblackout

NYC friends - join Cheryl Willis Hudson and London Ladd as they present their new picture book, When I Hear Spirituals, along with music by the Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble. Sunday, Feb. 23, 4 - 5 pm at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene Presented by Greenlight Bookstore

DOING THE WORK! We’re lifting up institutions that have made sharing our stories their mission. Black-owned publishing companies that celebrate Black people, Black culture, and Black history in their books all year round. #BlackSky #BookSky justusbooks.blogspot.com/2025/02/doin...

This is Black History! Decades ago Wade and Cheryl Hudson were parents on a search for children's books that reflected the diversity of Black history, culture and experiences. Today their publishing company, Just Us Books, is celebrating 36 years in business! justusbooks.com #BlackSky #BookSky

Children’s books for Black History Month and beyond - all available from Just Us Books or your favorite bookseller. Video by @katurahudson.bsky.social #BookSky #BlackSky #BlackHistoryMonth

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever be free.” - abolitionist, writer Frederick Douglass, born in 1818. Like many who were born enslaved, he did not know his birth date. He later chose to celebrate it on Feb. 14. 📷 His 2000-book library at the Frederick Douglass National Historical site

You need to know about @jbakernyc.bsky.social thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...

For Black History Month a few years ago, we curated a list of 50 Black kidlit creators who should be on your radar and your bookshelf. Still stands. 😊 #BlackSky #BookSky justusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/01/cele...

We’re giving away our Black History Handbook — a great resource for educators, parents, and program leaders. Sign up today to receive your copy in our next newsletter. ⬇️ mailchi.mp/c21a7caeb4e4...

An important piece in School Library Journal about diversity in book publishing and the challenges we face moving forward —featuring insights from our co-founder Wade Hudson. www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/gainin...

Celebrating Black Joy! The Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader lift up the power of storytelling this #BlackHistoryMonth & beyond. Check out their feature on bestselling kidlit creators and their inspiring books. www.cbcbooks.org/readers/read... #BookSky

For the 18th year The Brown Bookshelf’s “28 Days Later” Black History Month campaign is celebrating Black authors and illustrators. Check out their daily profiles, presented in partnership with Black Stories Amplified. thebrownbookshelf.com

We love Langston! Hear Langston Hughes (born on this day in 1901) read his poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” m.youtube.com/watch?v=5mFp...

Happy Black History Month!! “February is a reminder that Black history should be an integral part of American and world history. It is something that we celebrate all year round.” - Wade and Cheryl Hudson founders, Just Us Books photo: Stephan Hudson

"We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action." #MLK

Again, libraries are stepping up. Free N95 masks at all #LAPL locations while supplies last. Also: emergency information and resources. lapl.org/be-ready?fbc...

“we are each other’s harvest: we are each other’s business: we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” - Gwendolyn Brooks

#Teachers! World Read Aloud Day is Feb. 5! Sign up here to have an #author read to your classes! (Including me 😉) tinyurl.com/mr3m8br5 Giggles ahead! #EduSky @justusbooks.bsky.social @litpress.bsky.social #humor #picturebooks

What a wonderful beginning to my 2025: an interview with the lovely Cheryl Willis Hudson about her new picture book, WHEN I HEAR SPIRITUALS pearlsandrubys.slj.com?p=313&previe...

Congratulations to Cheryl Willis Hudson and London Ladd on the publication of their picture book When I Hear Spirituals, out today!! Get a copy from your favorite bookseller. Autographed copies also available from Just Us Books. Photo: Stephan Hudson justusbooks.com/when-i-hear-...

On Christmas we called our dear friend and family George Ford. As usual, he was full of energy and encouragement. We talked about everything from Nikki Giovanni’s tremendous legacy to the new Netflix special The Six Triple Eight. As the conversation turned… justusbooks.blogspot.com/2025/01/its-...

Woke up thinking about how, when #JimmyCarter lost his 2nd run for president, he must have felt pretty powerless. & about how, in that moment, instead of giving into despondency, he found the work he *could* do, & in doing so, became even more powerful. That feels useful as we head into 2025...

Moving into 2025 I need help building my list of BIPOC debut authors of MG & YA. The support is really necessary #yalit #mglit #diversebooks #2025debut #librarians #kidlit

Habari Gani?! Today is the first day of #Kwanzaa⁠ ⁠ - a week long African-American and Pan African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba (listed below). #NguzoSaba

One thing about small business owners — they support each other!! Our cofounder Cheryl Willis Hudson shopping small at the NJPAC Kwanzaa Fest. If you’re in the Newark, NJ area today, check out the program and great vendors like Yara Harlem fabrics and Aya Paper (pictured below). #Kwanzaa #shopsmall

Happy holidays!

64 Black Owned Businesses That You Need To Shop From Thanks @BloggingForAfrica for including Just Us Books! bloggingforafrica.com/64-black-own...

“Dear Cheryl Willis Hudson, Confidence. Confidence in who I am and who I will continue to be. These are just a few things your book, Bright Eyes, Brown Skin taught me...Because of reading your book at an early age, I am proud to be who I am.” - Sage Small business. BIG impact. #kidit

Small business. BIG impact. A room full of young readers from Atkins Elementary in Shreveport, LA enjoying Bright Eyes, Brown Skin and I Told You I Can Play, two of the Just Us Books titles the school purchased for the children.

“Nikki's contributions to literature, Black arts & culture and the Black community are immeasurable…Her life and her work were truly transformative for us and she was such a supportive friend. May she rest in power and poetry.” - Wade & Cheryl Hudson Photo by Stephan Hudson, June 2024

Will you join me for a little Ego Tripping today? youtu.be/1XpdM9ox3O4?...

In the spirit of cooperative economics, we’re spotlighting book and bookish gifts from independent creators and small businesses. And there’s something for everyone, adults included! justusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/12/book...

So happy to see my book The Reckoning on the Center for Multicultural Literature's Best Books of 2024. The Reckoning is a contemporary middle grade novel set in a small town in the south and that deals with the complex issues of race and social justice. www.csmcl.org/best-books-2...

How happy we are to autograph books for you! 😁 If you want to give autographed books as gifts this holiday season, just make your request in the comments when you order. See available books here: justusbooks.com/autographed-... Photo: Stephan Hudson Photography #BlackSky #BookSky

I hope you'll consider dropping everything and reading over the holidays

When did you first learn the story of Christmas? Margery Wheeler Brown knew the story well and wanted to tell it a different way: from the perspective of two siblings who just experienced the birth of their baby brother. The result: Baby Jesus, Like My Brother ⁣⁣ justusbooks.com/978160349000...

It’s #SmallBusinessSaturday! Shop small at companies like Just Us Books and Pyramid Art, Books and Custom Framing Bookshop in Little Rock, a Black-owned business founded in 1988, the same year Just Us began. Pictured: our co-founder Wade Hudson visiting Pyramid this month. justusbooks.com

What we mean by #BlackFriday Children’s books that center and celebrate Black stories, history and culture all published by US — Black founded, owned and operated. Get these and other great titles directly from Just Us Books or from your favorite #Blackowned bookstore. justusbooks.com

A reminder from ancestor Maya Angelou that every day is a good day to practice gratitude.

“My mission is recovering and making Black self-narrated voices known to the world…Those voices are all Black classics to me.” Congrats to Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press, on his National Book Awards Lifetime Achievement honor. Replay: www.youtube.com/live/h_xLHve...

Thank you to @cottonquiltsedi.bsky.social for bringing together #kidlit creators to share words and images of support for our young people as we move forward. Please read and share. pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2024/11/16/a...