Daddy?
Yes, my sweet boy.
Why are those people shouting?
Our people are shouting because we need to be heard. We need to be heard.
A piercing picture book about racial injustice from a child's perspective from Taye Diggs and Shane Evans, WHY is a beautiful, powerful, and poignant story that peers through the eyes of a child as they struggle to understand why these events are happening. It distills the conversations many children and adults are having about race, injustice, and anger in communities throughout our country, and gives them context that young readers can connect with. Why? is a question asked by children daily, and in this striking and timely story, it begins a straightforward and challenging conversation between children of color and the adults in their lives. Why are the buildings burning? Why are people marching? Why are they crying?
In addition to talking about his newest work, Shane joins the Busboys screen to share with us the process and impact of illustration as a storytelling medium by taking us through his range of work and heartfelt illustrations, beautiful pages that will leave a lasting impact on readers of any age. An impact that he’s hopeful will lead to more conversations, change, and peace within our own communities and the world.
Shane is joined by actor Megan Hope who'll be reading aloud from the book!
This event is free and open to all, accessible through our Facebook and Youtube pages (@busboysandpoets).
The program will begin at 4:30PM with an introduction from a member of our team.There will be time for Q&A with Shane before the end of the program. Copies of WHY will be available for purchase before, during and after the event. A range of Shane’s work can be found on bookshop.org
We recommend that viewers RSVP in order to receive direct links to the event from Busboys and Poets Books.
Shane W. Evans is the illustrator of numerous award-winning (NAACP Award, Coretta Scott King Award) books for children. Shane studied at Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts and graduated in 1993 and began traveling the world. In addition to contract work in illustration, graphic design and web design for major companies, Evans has conceptualized and illustrated numerous children’s books. Many of the books have been featured in the media such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, NBA Inside Stuff, Reading Rainbow and Late Night with David Letterman. Shane has received much acclaim within the children’s literary field for his work on children’s books such as "Osceola," "The Way The Door Closes," "Shaq and the Beanstalk" and "Take It To The Hoop Magic Johnson." His accolades range from being honored by First Lady Laura Bush at the 2002 National Book Festival, The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and The Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children.
Megan Hope has recently relocated to Atlanta with intention of focusing on theatrical work and voiceover. She was living in Los Angeles after she left her hometown of Kansas City. It was there in the Kansas City metro where she played some of her favorite roles, notably Renita Brown the opinionated, no-nonsense, actress in the stage production of “My White Son” by Lewis J. Morrow.With her previous industry work of commercial acting and modeling, she was often chosen to represent: the cool young mom, business professional or hard-working college student.In her free time, Megan enjoys watching films/shows that have inclusive representation, being a CASA volunteer, improving her proficiency in the Spanish language, reading, cycling and continuing taking steps toward a healthy, eco-friendly and more natural lifestyle. Ms. Hope is looking forward to continuing to help tell important and meaningful stories that inspire others.
Taye Diggs is an actor whose credits include motion pictures (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Chicago), stage, (Rent, Wicked), and television (Private Practice, Murder in the First, Empire, and All American). He is also the author of Mixed Me!, Chocolate Me!, I Love You More Than. . . , and My Friend!, published by Feiwel and Friends. He lives in Los Angeles and New York City with his son.
