I'm looking for someone to illustrate a true children's story from Hurricane Katrina.

[intheflow]

Hi there! :hi:

I'm looking for an artist to illustrate a non-fiction children's book about Hurricane Katrina. It's a true story of a child's heroism during Hurricane Katrina.

Sadly, there'd be no pay unless/until the book is published. :(

But if you're still interested, read on! :)

I was down in Mississippi for almost two years after Hurricane Katrina, first as a long-term volunteer, then I ran a volunteer camp. Sometimes I traveled the country speaking at churches about the relief and recovery efforts.

Frustrated that I couldn't find any engaging picture books about hurricanes to use during the children's portion of church, I wrote a story based on a news account I read about a six-year-old boy who held his siblings together when they were evacuated and separated from their parents. I made my own book using A/P photos as illustrations. It was received well in the congregations, and also by several children's librarian friends I've shown it to. To be clear: this is not a religious story in any way. I'd say the age range is K-3.

We're coming up on the five year anniversary and a quick check of amazon.com yields nothing like my true story in picture book form for young children. I think it's coming on a good time to pitch the book to publishers. I'm looking for an illustrator b/c I don't want to go through the hassle of trying to wrest the photos I used out of A/P (or convincing a publisher to do so).

Ideally, my artist would be a hurricane survivor, and/or deeply connected to African American community, art, and/or activism, but of course none of those things are necessarily make-or-break--especially if someone was really moved to do this. I would also like a portion of the proceeds to go into a college fund for the young hero of the book (I'm pretty sure I can find the family).

I used photos in my prototype, but I'm open to all kinds of media. Artists I admire whose styles I think might compliment this story might include Bryan Collier, Leroy Campbell, Elizabeth Catlett, Tom Feelings and Malkia Roberts.

If you're not interested, but you know anyone who isn't a DUer who might be interested, maybe you could help a gal out and hook us up? :)

Peace!
Jinnie

P.S. The link above is to my first Katrina photo essay, taken in MS in November 2005.

P.P.S. Here are some photos like the A/P shots I used in my book.

[Steerpike]

1. Good Morning!

Exactly how many illustrations and what is the time frame?