Nikki Grimes is an acclaimed author, poet, and illustrator who writes works for young readers through adults. Some of her most notable works include Bronx Masquerade, Talkin' About Bessie, and Dark Sons. She draws from her experiences growing up in Harlem and travels around the world for inspiration. Grimes' writing features African American characters and inspirational messages conveyed through short, impactful passages. She has received numerous awards for her culturally significant body of work, including multiple Coretta Scott King honors and awards.

1. Nikki Grimes
Author, Illustrator, Poet, Journalist, Performing
Artist, Fiber Artist, Jeweler

2. Background
• Born in Harlem
• “Books carried me away”
• Rutgers University
• Africa, Sweden, China, Russia, Trinidad, and
Haiti
• Corono, California

3. Writing Style
• Very young readers, middle readers, young
adult, and adult
• African American characters
• Short stanzas
• Inspirational messages
• http://www.nikkigrimes.com/readings/readin
gs.html

4. Example of Writing Style
Shoe Magic The shoe rack
is stacked
With promise,
What you do,
With dreams Where you go, Up to be
Waiting Who you grow Depends on
The steps you
To wake.
take.

5. List of Published Works
• From a Child's Heart (1993), illustrated by Brenda Joysmith • Talkin' About Bessie (2002), illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Coretta
• Meet Danitra Brown (1994), illustrated by Floyd Cooper Scott King Illustrator Award, Author Honor Book)
(Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) • Tai Chi Morning (2004), illustrated by Ed Young
• Portrait of Mary (1994) • A Ray with Daddy (2004), illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
• Come Sunday (1996), illustrated by Michael Bryant • What is Goodbye? (2004), illustrated by Raul Colón (ALA
• Wild, Wild Hair (1997), illustrated by George Cephas Ford Notable Book)
• Jazmin's Notebook (1998) (Coretta Scott King Author Honor • It's Raining Laughter, photographs by Myles C. Pinkney
Book) • At Jerusalem's Gate, illustrated by David Frampton
• A Dime a Dozen (1998), illustrated by Angelo • Danitra Brown, Class Clown (2005), illustrated by E.B. Lewis
• My Man Blue (1999), illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue • Dark Sons (2005), (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book)
(Marion Vannett Ridgway Award) • Thanks a Million (2006), illustrated by Cozbi A. Carrera
• Hopscotch Love (1999), illustrated by Melodye Benson • Welcome, Precious (2006), illustrated by Bryan Collier
Rosales • The Road to Paris (2007), (Coretta Scott King Author Honor
• At Break of Day (1999), illustrated by Paul Morin Book)
• Aneesa Lee and the Weaver's Gift (2000), illustrated by Ashley • When Gorilla Goes Walking (2007), illustrate by Shane Evans
Bryan • Oh, Brother! (2007), illustrated by Mike Benny
• Shoe Magic (2001), illustrated by Terry Widener • Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
• A Pocketful of Poems (2001), illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (2008), illustrated by Bryan Collier (NY Times Bestseller)
• Stepping Out with Grandma Mac (2002), illustrated by Angelo • Out of the Dark: Nikki Grimes, Author at Work (2009)
• C is for City (2002), illustrated by Pat Cummings • Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel (2009), illustrated by R.
• When Daddy Prays (2002), illustrated by Tim Ladwig Gregory Christie
• Bronx Masquerade (2002), (Coretta Scott King Author Award) • Rich: a Dyamonde Daniel Book (2009), illustrated by R.
(Best Children's Book of 2002, Association of Theological Gregory Christie
Booksellers) • Voices of Christmas (2009), illustrated by Eric Velasquez
• A Girl Named Mister (2010)
• Almost Zero: a Dyamonde Daniel Book (2010), illustrated by
R. Gregory Christie
• Planet Middle School (2011)

6. Awards
• 2005 Golden Dolphin Award by the Southern
California Children's Book Association
• 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Children's
Poetry
• 2011 Horace Mann Upstanders Book Award a
Bank Street College Book of the Year.
• Coretta Scott King Author Award and several
Coretta Scott King Honors
• Nest Literary Classic