Media Kit
The Buckeye Book Fair honors Keila V. Dawson during Women’s History Month for her contributions to the world of literature in their March Books Bits newsletter.
Click here to read more about me and my story.
Keila V. Dawson is an award-winning author who writes fiction and nonfiction children’s books. She is coeditor and contributor to No Brain the Same: Neurodivergent Young Activists Shaping Our World and its award-winning companion titles, No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change and No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Activists Making History. Dawson is the author of Yumbo Gumbo, a 2025 NSTA-CBC title; Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book, a 2025 Choose to Read Ohio booklist selection; and The King Cake Baby. Before becoming a children’s author, Dawson worked as a community organizer, educator, and advocate for children with learning difficulties and disabilities in different states and abroad in the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt.
Hi-Res Author headshot.
Through powerful poems, this book honors neurodivergent youth activists transforming their communities and invites kids to act—continuing the spirit of No Voice Too Small and No World Too Big.
Featuring Billie Eilish, Dara McAnulty, and Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn, these fourteen poems spotlight neurodivergent activists inspiring kids ages 5 to 9 to make change. These fourteen neurodivergent activists began their work when they were young and continue it now, changing systems, politics, policies, and more. The book features poems written by poets who have something in common with each activist.
Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling!
Annabelle’s grandparents are finally going to teach her how to cook gumbo! But the family can’t agree on what type of gumbo to make. They vote for their favorite, but the vote results in a tie. Now what? A playful exploration of data and social-emotional reasoning, featuring Louisiana Creole characters and a glossary of Louisiana Creole words.
Charlesbridge | ISBN: 978-162354-325-9 32 pages | ages 3-6
No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change
Edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley; Illustrated by Jeanette Bradley
Fans of No Voice Too Small will be inspired by young climate activists who made an impact around climate change in their communities, countries, and beyond.
Climate change impacts everyone, but the future belongs to young people. No World Too Big celebrates twelve young activists and three activist groups on front lines of the climate crisis who have planted trees in Uganda, protected water in Canada, reduced school bus’ climate footprint in Indonesia, invented alternate power sources in Ohio, and more.
Charlesbridge | ISBN 978-1-62354-313-6
40 pages | ages 5-9
OPENING THE ROAD: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book
“Hungry? Check the Green Book. Tired? Check the Green Book. Sick? Check the Green Book.”
In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn’t visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it.
In the first picture book about the creation and distribution of The Green Book, author Keila Dawson and illustrator Alleanna Harris tell the story of the man behind it and how this travel guide opened the road for a safer, more equitable America.
Beaming Books | ISBN: 978-1506467917
40 pages | ages 4-8
No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History
No Voice Too Small celebrates the young people who know how to be the change they seek. Fourteen poems honor these young activists. Featuring poems by Lesléa Newman, Traci Sorell, and Nikki Grimes. Additional text goes into detail about each youth activist’s life and how readers can get involved.
Now available!
Charlesbridge | ISBN: 978-1-6235-4131-6
40 pages | ages 5-9
Jasilyn Charger, Water Protector……………………………………… Levi Draheim, Climate Activist
The King Cake Baby
The King Cake Baby
The little plastic baby traditionally hidden inside a Mardi Gras King Cake is the runaway in this tasty new adaptation of an old folktale. The story sparkles with French phrases, New Orleans colloquialisms, and vibrant, comic-book style artwork depicting the city’s characters and treasures. Includes an easy king cake recipe. Bon appétit!
Pelican Pub | ISBN: 978-1-45562-013-5
32 pages | ages 4-8
