“It does feel like when you’re reading a picture book for the first time, there is a stop in time.” –Jenin Mohammed
Today we talk about the reality that life doesn’t allow everyone the time to face a “wall of text,” the process of bringing a book to illustrated life, what it means to discover something and try to share that with others, and the value of building connections through sharing a book.
Today’s Picture Book: Song in the City illustrated by Jenin Mohammed and written by Daniel Bernstrom
Today’s Guest: Jenin Mohammed
Winner of the SCBWI 2020 Summer Showcase Award, Jenin moved into children's illustration after working to gain entry into storyboarding for television. Just as her dream studio job appeared on the horizon, Jenin realized that her true love for story lay in children's illustration. Her work uses dynamic shapes and perspective with a layering technique to create a tissue-paper-collage-meets-painterly look.
Jenin was born and raised in Miramar, Florida. She comes from African American and Caribbean ancestry. Thanks to her Christian/Muslim upbringing, she is on a never-ending quest to find halal versions of her favorite southern dishes. Jenin’s interests include creating henna art, freestyle rapping (very badly), and pen-tapping offbeat.
Book Description:
A young girl, filled with the sounds of her beloved city, shares a song with her grandmother that changes the two forever. After helping Grandma realize that the city makes music as beautiful as the sounds they hear in church on Sunday morning, the two sit down and take in all the sounds of the city…together.
Song in the City bridges the gap between generations of music and family, while centering love, understanding, and joy.
Please consider supporting your local independent booksellers by purchasing Song in the City. Find a store here: https://www.indiebound.org/
Other mentions in this episode:
Christy Ewers: https://catagencyinc.com/about-1
SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/
Upcoming Projects:
When I Wrap My Hair
They Built Me for Freedom
First Borns Only (Jenin’s middle grade novel)
Questions/Activities for further engagement based on the discussion:
Can you gather with others and discuss a book together?
Find Jenin:
Website: https://www.jeninmohammed.com/
Facebook/Instagram: @knotwritenow
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