Interview with the Author of Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z Volume 2 - Cara Reese

Cara Reese, a third-generation educator with roots in St. Louis, Chicago, and Dallas/Ft. Worth, is passionate about sharing untold stories through children's literature. She currently resides in Atlanta, where she continues to explore the city's rich cultural history. When she's not writing, she enjoys globe-trekking with her family, staring at the ocean, and perfecting her kale chip recipe. Her first book, Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide earned a place on Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2023. Her second book, Dr. King Goes to India! A Cool Kids' Guide earned a place on Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2024, as well as a BookLife Editors' Pick distinction.

Q&A

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

My name is Cara Reese, and I am a third generation educator. I grew up in a family that always valued knowing the importance of African American history. I have a degree in Humanities from the University of Texas at Austin, and I have been teaching history and humanities in public and independent schools for over twenty years. Helping students understand the stories and journeys of our ancestors is truly my passion. Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide Volume 2 is my third book. I truly consider my books to be an extension and an expansion of my "classroom."

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide Volume 2 is a follow up to my first book, Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide. Having taught in public schools for over a decade, I've been amazed by the absence of so many important African American historical figures in standardized curricula. So many creatives, in particular, enriched my life and are truly fascinating to me. However, they simply never make it to the textbooks and libraries of traditional schools. My books are for children and adults alike, for readers who are truly curious about lesser known singers, writers, designers, etc. who've made their marks on the culture. I'm obsessed with this! To me, for example, John Coltrane should be a household name.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

African American picture books by Carole Boston Weatherford, the Pinckney family, and anything illustrated by Kadir Nelson have always moved me. I love Jason Reynolds, as well. The medium of picture books is so powerful. Children become immersed in the images they see, and representations of African Americans in nontraditional roles can be both affirming and aspiring. Seeing a Black architect like Paul Williams signals to a child that everything is possible. My masters is in developmental psychology, and a good deal of research supports this idea around the importance of representation..

What's next for you as a writer?

The next book is focused on early West African surfing communities in pre-colonial Africa. I think this history is fascinating. My last book, Dr. King Goes to India! The Cool Kids' Guide, is a quieter book, and I believe the next one will be quieter in tone, as well. The Black Artists Rock! series is very loud and unapologetic...very bold! My ultimate desire is publish a new book about some aspect of lesser-known African American history annually, in celebration of Black History Month. So far, I've published three books over the last three years, just in time for Black History Month. My first two books landed on Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, two years in a row! I am very proud of that.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now? Do you have any pets?

I grew up in Detroit and Ft. Worth, Texas - two completely opposite places. I also went to college at the University of Texas at Austin. I currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, and I love the city so, so much. Historically speaking, the city is endlessly fascinating. I am currently pet-free, although we once had a wise and beautiful tortoise named Bob. We hold him in our hearts.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?

I was a bookworm from day one. So was my mother and my grandmother and my great grandmother...everyone was very bookish. I would sometimes skip P.E. just to read in the gym locker room in grade school, which got me into some trouble. Good trouble! Books were my best friends, my escape, and my refuge. In grad school, becoming a children's author was my dream. Now, with the tools available to independent writers, becoming an author has become a reality. The reward has been immeasurable.

How did you come up with the title?

I am obsessed with artists and their creative processes, and I am an evangelist for teaching others about the absolutely brilliant creative legacy that has forever existed in African American culture. I want children who aspire to be painters, playwrights, fashion designers... whatever the case may be, to trust themselves and know that others came before them and paved the way! Too many dreams are deferred by limited thinking. Thus the title, "Black Artists Rock!" Now "The Cool Kids' Guide" part....that refers to the fact that I have always been the slightly quirky bohemian at heart. I can't help myself. I am asserting that the figures in my books are cool, and so are the readers who "get" this project! It's for everyone, child and adult, alike. "Having fun while learning" is my motto as an educator and as a writer.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. In the "forward," I invite the reader to tap into and celebrate their own creative spirit! The book is unconventional, nonlinear, poetic, abstract, bright, energetic, yet respectful. I ADORE Maya Angelou, Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk, and Zora Neale Hurston. I ADORE Aretha Franklin, Langston Hughes, Alvin Ailey, and Billie Holiday. This book is a love letter to each of the people featured. I am in awe of them all, in awe of their insistence to commit to artistry in the face of innumerable obstacles. And to do it with joy and with love and ferocity...

What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

Perhaps the biggest challenge is doing literally everything on my own. From researching, to writing in a way that feels fresh, to navigating the technical aspects of publishing, to marketing....and then starting the process all over again, one project at a time. I still teach and parent, as well, so my life is very robust. My intention is to play a role in developing a child's literacy - not just solely offering them literature. Kids hold onto books that feel joyful and immersive in a special kind of way. Adults do too, and it is really fun to see so many adults embrace this project.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Readers can find me on Instagram @carareesewrites and on my website, www.cara-reese.com. I am very much at the beginning of this journey, and I hope to continue to stretch, grow and create in new and interesting ways! My books can be ordered online wherever books are sold, including Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. And if you can, please remember to support independent book stores, too!

Website: http://www.cara-reese.com

Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z Volume 2 is now available for purchase on Amazon and other online retailers.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Artists-Rock-Cool-Guide/dp/B0DVGFCCWQ

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