By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com
Shadra Strickland celebrates the historically Black tradition of double dutch with her new children’s book, “Jump In!”
The author and illustrator held a read along at The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Waverly branch on Sept 28 to interact with young readers and their families. Strickland’s book highlights the importance of a community at play together, with bright illustrations that show young and old bonding through the power of the jump rope.
Shadra Strickland makes her debut as an author and illustrator in her children’s book, titled “Jump In !” (Photo courtesy of Instagram / Shadra Strickland)
Strickland told the AFRO that art has always been a part of her life, she studied design, writing, and illustration at Syracuse University and furthered her education by earning her master’s at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Strickland’s work has earned many awards, including the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award in 2010, the same year she won an NAACP Image Award. She has also received the Ashley Bryan Children’s Literature Award, which she earned in 2011.
Strickland has worked on several books as an illustrator, and shared that “Jump In!” allowed all of her artistic passions to collide.
“I was able to combine all of those skills – writing, illustration and graphic design to come together and create books,” she said.
The inspiration for “Jump In!” came from Strickland’s own memories and experiences of being outside with her friends at school and enjoying recess, which was a time she looked forward to– especially being an only child.
“I spent a lot of time playing alone,” she said. “One of the things that was always really exciting about going to school was being able to have recess and go outside and play with my friends.”
Strickland said one day she came across a commercial that called up nostalgic memories of her childhood. She decided to write a book about the joys of playing outside as a kid in hopes of inspiring other children and people to get outside and play.
“I hope that they can see themselves in those characters – I hope that it inspires them to want to go outside and play,” said Strickland.
The book serves as an invitation to all people to play together. She shared that the diversity in the book is a reflection of the diverse neighborhood she grew up in as a child and the world she lives in today.
“This book particularly is an invitation for everybody,” Strickland told the AFRO. “All people, of different ages, genders– everybody– can come on the playground.”
