Cheryl Willis Hudson

Author, publisher and entrepreneur, Cheryl Willis Hudson began her career doing textbook design for educational publishers.

Noticing a lack of quality Black-interest books for her own two children, in 1988, Cheryl Hudson and her husband Wade formed Just Us Books, Inc., a publishing company that specializes in children's books that focus on Black experiences, history and culture. Hudson's AFRO-BETS® ABC Book was Just Us Books' first published title.

Cheryl Willis Hudson has written over 24 children's books, including the classic Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, Many Colors of Mother Goose, and Come By Here, Lord: Everyday Prayers for Children, Hold Christmas In Your Heart, What Do You Know, Snow!, the What a Baby board book series (Scholastic, Inc.) Hands Can (Candlewick), My Friend Maya Loves to Dance (Abrams) and From Where I Stand (Marimba Books).

She is co-editor with Wade Hudson of We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices and The Talk:Conversations About Race, Love & Truth (Crown Books for Young Readers).

Her latest picture book is When I Hear Spirituals, illustrated by London Ladd and published by Holiday House.

As an author, Cheryl Willis Hudson crafts vibrant and engaging multicultural books that allow children of color to see themselves positively reflected in the world. As a diversity workshop facilitator and speaker she shares her experience and expertise in developing curricula of inclusion with schools and educational organizations. She loves to visit schools and libraries to talk with children and parents.

For fun, Cheryl sings with friends in an amateur acappella vocal group. She lives in Northern New Jersey with her family.