Please contact either Shelves Bookstore or Park Roads Books in Charlotte, NC for AUTOGRAPHED COPIES.
Please contact my literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency for any contract, licensing or rights
Booking agent:
Mr. Patrick Oliver
PatrickOliver@speakloudly.com
312.287.0415
My son (six) brought Crown home from his library today. Bedtime reading tonight. I’m in awe of your words, your message. I know it takes a village and I’m glad you’re in ours. Keep that pen flowing. Much love.
Thank you for your kind words. Tell your little guy I said hello, and that for as long as I write, I’ll try to craft as many stories as I can where boys that look like him are the center of the universe.
Much love,
ddb
Just read Crown: An Ode the the Fresh Cut to my 7th & 8th graders today. This book has quickly become one of my favorites. You have helped me bridge the gap between cultures and allowed me to join with you in celebrating the beauty and worthiness of young black men. Your author’s note was beautifully written. Thank you for all your work!
I read I Am Every Good Thing to 10 classes of Kindergarten and First grade. One class was so moved, they simultaneously ended the book with a round of applause. Each class wrote a letter to you about what they loved about the book. My favorite comment was from a Kindergartner who said “I like the holding hand page”. Let us all do a better job of hand holding. Each day, a student stops me in the halls wondering if our author has received our letters. I am putting them in the mail today and we hope our words bring you as much happiness as yours brought us.
I love it. I love it. I love it!!! When the babies give the message a thumbs up, I know that we did a good job. Hopefully some of those lines will stay in their beautiful minds for a long time.
I’ll let you know when I get the letters. Please tell them that I said hello.
peace and blessings,
ddb
https://www.instagram.com/authorderrickdbarnes/?hl=en
Two things: 1. thank you. I attended the Kweli conference today and your words resonated with me. As an author seeking my debut, I appreciate being reminded that , “the world wants you—your 100% authentic self” (paraphrase). I was also inspired by your hustle and your seeing the value of frequenting barbershops in Black neighborhoods when you are traveling and Black hair shows even if your publishing company didn’t. 2. thank you again—but this time for my son. Thank you for knowing that Black boys don’t need to be changed but need to be celebrated for their mind blowing intelligent, keeping beats on the table, confident, swaggy, regally handsome selves. And anyone who doesn’t agree can catch up when they can.
I am a 2nd-grade teacher in Detroit, Michigan. Every time I read your book, “I AM EVERY GOOD THING” my eyes well up. This book says everything I ever want my boys to believe about themselves. When I read it to the class, the girls felt slighted because even they could see how special your words made my boys feel and realize their power within. Bravo to Gordon C. James for the magnificent illustrations. I will be purchasing as many copies as my wallet will allow promoting this affirmation of love to my young brothers everywhere.