Alice Faye Duncan
I write books for young learners.
I speak about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.
I lead writing workshops.
Write ON!
My Genesis
My Creative Lineage
My Creative Lineage
I am my mother's only child and Memphis is my home. I went to library school at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). While there, Professor Glenn Estes introduced me to picture books. At the University of Memphis, I took a Children's Literature Class from Professor Ramona Mahood. She introduced me to author, Charles Turner, who inspir
I am my mother's only child and Memphis is my home. I went to library school at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). While there, Professor Glenn Estes introduced me to picture books. At the University of Memphis, I took a Children's Literature Class from Professor Ramona Mahood. She introduced me to author, Charles Turner, who inspired me to write WILLIE JEROME--my very first book. Macmillan published it in 1995. Picture books are my favorite to write! They allow me to "sing" without a music education or singing voice.
YOU DON'T WANT ME TO SING. Really.
MY TOP 5 SONGS
Harvest for the World--Isley Brothers
Mister Magic--Grover Washington
Optimistic--Sounds of Blackness
Respect Yourself--The Staple Singers
Boogie Chillen--John Lee Hooker
MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP
A 2019 Coretta Scott King Honor Medal
Also voted a "Best Picture Book in 2018' by Kirkus, SLJ and Booklist
My Creative Lineage
My Creative Lineage
My Creative Lineage
I discovered the poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, when I was a child searching the crowded shelves in my parents' personal library. While I loved each poet, my early writing was most similar to Paul Laurence Dunbar. I wrote for the ear to hear and the voice to speak words like I heard them spoken in sch
I discovered the poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, when I was a child searching the crowded shelves in my parents' personal library. While I loved each poet, my early writing was most similar to Paul Laurence Dunbar. I wrote for the ear to hear and the voice to speak words like I heard them spoken in school, church and the sundry store. Langston, Gwen and I, have Dunbar in common. It was Paul Laurence Dunbar who moved us early in life to make words our vocation. Words are my work and my pathway to words began with poetry.
MY TOP 5 POEMS
Dreams--Langston Hughes
Good Night, Willie Lee, I'll See you In the Morning--Alice Walker
Little Brown Baby--Paul Laurence Dunbar
Second Sermon on the Warpland--Gwendolyn Brooks
Things--Eloise Greenfield
HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD
#1 Read-Aloud for Babies
Read this book with SOUL!
My Books
My Creative Lineage
My Books
My picture books include biographies of Black artists and moments in American History seldom told. I also write lyrical stories that celebrate the sustaining power of love between a mother and child. My books are illustrated by award winning artists like Gregory Christie, Xia Gordon, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (YES! of the Famous Pinkney Fa
My picture books include biographies of Black artists and moments in American History seldom told. I also write lyrical stories that celebrate the sustaining power of love between a mother and child. My books are illustrated by award winning artists like Gregory Christie, Xia Gordon, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (YES! of the Famous Pinkney Family) and Mary Uhles. MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP won a 2019 Coretta Scott Honor Medal for illustrations. MORE good news is brewing! Will you gift my 5 books to a favorite young reader in your life?
MY TOP 5 BOOKS--(Written by ME)
HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD
JUST LIKE A MAMA
MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP
A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN TENNESSEE
JUST LIKE A MAMA--Order today!
Here is a love poem celebrating all children--chosen, cherished and loved. Families are families forever and always. Love is the tie that binds.
NEW BOOKS--2022
Spring--2022
YELLOW DOG BLUES is a Blues Fable. Bo Willie wakes-up to discover his hound dog missing. He must find the dog before sunset. The journey begins! Bo Willie pursues a grand adventure, traveling the Famous Blues Trail up Highway 61 in the Mississippi Delta. Riding in his aunt's big Cadillac, they stop at Dockery Farms where Blues was born. They boogie with Willie Seaberry at his Blues Cafe in Merigold. They stop in Rosedale to search the Crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul. Beale Street is the last stop. Will there be a happy reunion? No matter what--LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Spring--2022
EVICTED--THE STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE is the harrowing life story of Black sharecroppers in the South, who were booted from their homes when they dared to vote in 1959. Forced to live in army tents with mud under their feet, the farmers and their children endure violence and suffering, but remain resolute until victory is won. This story of voter intimidation remains relevant and necessary. Young learners must understand their right to vote and live in a Democracy remains under siege. The preservation of freedom and justice depends on them. The children must lead.
Sow a Seed... Read!
This lyrical read-aloud is about the delightful life a caregiver creates for a young child. While they do not share the same bloodline, Mama Rose is Carol Olivia's "heart and home." Pick up the book at your local bookstore or shop online. https://bit.ly/3aP2rPm