In my opinion, illustrations make a book just as much as the words on the page.  I love reading children’s books with vibrant pictures that do an amazing job of carrying the essence of the story. As such, we here at Peachy Reads want to take time to highlight an amazing illustrator and author– Kadir Nelson.  You may be familiar with the work Nelson has done for the United States Postal Service, designing commemorative stamps  for notable figures such as Wilt Chamberlain, Richard Wright, and Marvin Gaye. You may have heard that Nelson designed the cover of rapper Drake’s Nothing Was the Same album.

Beyond that, Kadir Nelson is also an esteemed writer and illustrator of children’s books. With his bold use of color and strong brush strokes/lines, his work definitely stands out. Here are books written and/or illustrated by Kadir Nelson that you should share with your young readers!

 

Nelson Mandela (Written and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson)

Please, Baby, Please (Written by Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee ; Illustrated by Kadir Nelson)

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (Written and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson)

Dancing in the Wings (Written by Debbie Allen ; Pictures by Kadir Nelson)

 

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans (Written by Debbie Allen ; Pictures by Kadir Nelson)

 

BONUS

The Undefeated (Written by Kwame Alexander ; Illustrated by Kadir Nelson)