Media Kit

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Bio:

Short:

Keila V. Dawson is a two-time Ohioana finalist and former educator who writes fiction and nonfiction picture books. Her books have been featured on numerous best books lists and nominated for various awards. Her latest release, NO WORLD TOO BIG: YOUNG PEOPLE FIGHTING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE, is a companion title to the International Reading Association Children’s Book Award-winning title, NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY. and the forthcoming NO BRAIN THE SAME: YOUNG NEURODIVERGENT ACTIVISTS SHAPING OUR FUTURE (2026). She is the author of OPENING THE ROAD: VICTOR HUGO GREEN AND HIS GREEN BOOK, THE KING CAKE BABY, and YUMBO GUMBO. A New Orleans native, Dawson has also lived and worked in different states, and abroad in the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Long:

Keila V. Dawson worked as a community organizer, educator, and advocate for children with disabilities before becoming a children’s book author. A two-time Ohioana finalist, Dawson writes fiction and nonfiction picture books. Her latest release, NO WORLD TOO BIG: YOUNG PEOPLE FIGHTING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE is a companion title to the Special Interest Group International Reading Association Book Award-winning title, NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY and the forthcoming NO BRAIN THE SAME: YOUNG NEURODIVERGENT ACTIVISTS SHAPING OUR FUTURE (2026). She is the author of OPENING THE ROAD: VICTOR HUGO GREEN AND HIS GREEN BOOK, THE KING CAKE BABY, and YUMBO GUMBO. A New Orleans native, Dawson has also lived and worked in different states, and abroad in the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Awards and honors for her books include the International Literacy Association 2021 Social Justice Literature Award, a 2021 NCTE Notable Poetry Book, and a 2021 NCSS Notable Book. Honors include being selected as finalists for the 2024 SCBWI Russell Freedman Award for a Better World, the 2020 and 2021 Ohioana Juvenile Literature Award and the 2022 Jane Addams Award. Other award nominations include the New York State Reading Association 2023 Charlotte Award, the 2023-2024 Illinois Bluestem Readers’ Choice Award and the 2023-2024 Louisiana Readers’ Choice Award.

When Dawson isn’t reading, writing, and visiting schools, she’s traveling or playing tennis, or digging in genealogical archives. Find free educational content, read reviews, and articles about her books on her website. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

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

Greta Thunberg, Sweden, Friday protests
Maya Penn, USA, eco-fashion and upcycling
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, USA, eco hip-hop musician

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