Carmen Bogan
Carmen...
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is a children’s author, publisher, and frequent speaker. Her picture book, "Where’s Rodney?" (Yosemite Conservancy, 2017) illustrated by the award-winning artist, Floyd Cooper, was a starred Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year, a Junior Library Guild selection, which received numerous glowing reviews. The sequel to "Where’s Rodney?" is "Tasha’s Words," a Yosemite Conservancy book and Willis Watson is a Wannabe from Simon and Schuster were published in 2024. Carmen is now writing her first middle grade novel, "Fly Like Frankie."
A recipient of the New Voices Award from Lee & Low Books, Carmen is a staunch children’s literacy advocate who believes that all children deserve to read about characters that reflect their own lives, dreams, and cultures. Carmen is the founder of Dream on Publishing, a boutique publisher of multicultural children’s books, which released the picture book, "Granny, Who Is God? which she also authored.
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Her personal goal as an author is to write high-quality literature that all children can enjoy and to create protagonists and plotlines that draw the interests and propel the passions of children of color. She believes that every child deserves to learn to read and to enjoy characters that look like them and celebrate their legacies.
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"Rodney! Where's Rodney?" Rodney's teacher has had enough because Rodney is never in his seat. He's at the window looking at the world outside because outside is where he really wants to be. But Rodney is about to visit a whole new world, one that takes him more outside than he's ever even dreamed! Where's Rodney? is illustrated by Floyd Cooper, Coretta Scott King Award winner and NAACP Image Award nominee.
Reviews
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”...is a stirring reminder of the importance of access to nature, and how rare that access is for many children.”
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Publishers Weekly
”...reflects both the changing physical landscape and emotional range of the story as Rodney discovers that “outdoors” can not only be “majestic,” but peaceful, too.”
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Publishers Weekly
”...will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.”
”...can finally be free to explore the wonders of nature.”
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Foreword Reviews Picture Book Feature
"This book neatly nestles itself among recent trends of growing engagement with African-American populations within our national parks, as well as offering a measured response to the ways black boys may struggle with school cultures that enforce seated obedience over genuine curiosity. Cooper’s signature style captures Rodney’s fidgetiness indoors and his growing excitement as the school bus rumbles out of town. In the park, a sequence of spectacular double-page sequences places Rodney within the park’s many wonders, and readers can see clearly how this immersion in nature allows the boy to be exactly himself. Combining the amazement offered by the natural world with an unconventional and poignant dose of social commentary, this story gives more to its readers that what meets the eye."
Where’s Rodney Storytime
Enjoy storytime with Carmen as she brings "Where’s Rodney?" to life!
Granny, Who is God?
Ladybug is a six-year-old girl with a big question: “Who is God?” Granny talks to Him all the time, but Ladybug has never seen Him. Granny even gets answers back! With Granny, Auntie Birdie, and Sistah Collins – the colorful “Sistahs Circle” – Ladybug always has a hallelujah good time. But on this special day, she wants answers. She is determined that this is the day that she will actually meet Granny’s mysterious, invisible best friend. This is the day that Ladybug meets God.
Granny, Who Is God?
Enjoy storytime with Carmen as she brings "Granny, Who Is God?" to life!
Tasha's Voice
Tasha's Voice Storytime
Enjoy storytime with Carmen as she brings "Tasha's Voice" to life!
Willis Watson Is a Wannabe
Willis Watson Is a Wannabe Storytime
Enjoy storytime with Carmen as she brings "Willis Watson Is a Wannabe" to life!
