C. G. Esperanza
BIO
Born the second of six cool kids. The South Bronx is where C. G. Esperanza first opened his eyelids, a land shrouded in bright colored decay, the birthplace of graffiti and the hip-hop DJ! He paints fantasy worlds of elephants, and castles too! Accompanying this wonder is some whimsical truth. He has a voice that is seldom heard. A fusion of jazz, distorted guitars, and chirping birds.
Charles is the illustrator of Soul Food Sunday written by Winsome Bingham, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor; the author-illustrator of Boogie, Boogie, Y’all, for which he received a Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Honor; and the illustrator of My Daddy Is a Cowboy, for which he received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and a Caldecott Honor. His latest book is Fish Fry Friday written by Winsome Bingham. He lives in the Bronx, New York.
FISH FRY FRIDAY
Fish Fry Friday is the perfect follow-up to Soul Food Sunday, a beloved Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor Book. One special Friday when school is closed, our narrator finally gets to join Granny for her day’s routine. Rods and reels, lures and lines, bobbers and baits are packed in Granny’s Jeep.
Everyone cheers when Granny arrives at the pier—“the queen has arrived!” After reeling in the perfect catch together, they carefully scale and skin, cut and gut, batter and fry the fish into beautiful filets. But the family meal isn’t complete until Grandson adds his own special side dish to the table—made just like Granny taught Momma, and like Momma taught him.
On Friday evenings, we go to Granny’s for a fish fry.
And on Friday mornings, Granny fishes.
This Friday, “You coming fishing with me,” Granny says.
MY DADDY IS A COWBOY
A Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book
A young girl and her father share an early morning horseback ride around their city in My Daddy Is a Cowboy, an award-winning picture book celebration of “just-us time,” with 6 starred reviews, including praise such as gorgeous, must-have, exuberant, immersive, and magical.
In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride.
Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy—strong and confident in who she is.
Thoughtfully and lyrically written by debut author Stephanie Seales, with vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C. G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy, outdoor play, and quality time spent between child and parent.
Tall. High as the clouds.
Strong as a horse’s back.
