Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow describes herself as a library person. She transitioned out of teaching English with the epiphany that she had in her the kinds of stories that were missing in children’s literature – books where Black Muslim children tell their tales.

When she discovered her calling to write for children, she began reading children’s books at her local library. She studied them, took notes, and taught herself the elements needed for a successful book.

“To become a children’s book writer, I owe that to having access to the Free Library of Philadelphia and being able to check out lots of children’s books and learn about them that way,” she says.

The author of Abdul’s Story and Irma Black Award Honor Book Your Name is a Song is the featured writer for Dauphin County Library System’s 16th annual Joan Y. Leopold Children’s Book Week. On November 5, she will give readings at East Shore Area Library and the new children’s area in the renovated McCormick Riverfront Library.

When she reads to children, she often encourages them to express themselves through writing without overly self-critiquing – or being “judge-y” – of the outcome.

What are you reading? I read a lot of different things. I just finished All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir. It’s so good. I always read picture books. I read The Moon from Dehradun: A Story of Partition. It’s a very beautiful book by Shirin Shamsi, with illustrations by Tarun Lak. Also, Dear Black Child is very good. It’s a beautiful, beautiful book, by Rahma Rodaah, illustrated by Lydia Mba. On my nightstand is Beasts of Prey, by Ayana Gray. I’m very excited about reading that one. But before I read that, my son started writing a novel. He’s 13. It’s his version of a Mike Lupica sports book.

What do you like about Birds of Prey? It’s a nice escape. I like books like African fantasies that are really fun to read but have nothing to do with anything I am writing.

Why is it important to encourage children to express themselves through writing? Writing is one of the ways we combat many of the book bans that are happening and the disinformation of today. Children need to express themselves fully and know they have a right to do that.