Author and Illustrator Vashti Harrison Is an Artistic Force to Be Reckoned With
New York Times best selling author and illustrator Vashti Harrison is blazing a powerful trail for young Black girls by using her artwork.
Harrison is known best for her books Little Leaders, Little Legends, and Little Dreamers. She is also the illustrator for Lupita Nyong’o’s book Sulwe. Harrison’s work includes depictions of young Black girls as readers, explorers, mermaids, heroes, and more.
Her children’s books Little Leaders and Little Legends both focus on figures from Black history, one book focusing on men and the other women. Harrison uses her lane to create social change, writing and drawing characters who represent the Black community in a positive way. She also writes a lot on feminism, such as in her book Little Dreamers.
The illustrations Harrison creates are powerful, beautiful, and flat out breathtaking. They often focus on promoting beauty in natural Black hair and body types, making a space for all young Black girls to feel truly seen. The author and illustrator has also been using her art to speak out against hate crimes and to support the Black Lives Matter Movement. If you aren’t familiar with Vashti Harrison, then get to her Twitter and Instagram as soon as possible. Viewing her work is something you won’t want to miss out on.
