Local Black authors, comic creators, the co-owner of a Black-owned bookstore and Western Avenue Elementary students, parents and teachers attended a Black History Month Book Fair on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 12-13.
The fair was held in a classroom at the school in Flossmoor. Students and parents bought books and comics, and met authors Kweli T. Kwaza and Dameron Cribbs, as well as comic creators George Gant and Ryan Francis.
Da Book Joint, an independent bookstore in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, sold chapter books, picture books, coloring books and patches and charms featuring pop culture characters such as Charmander and Minnie Mouse.
Nafeteria Coleman and Jocelynn Cribbs, Western Avenue parents and Parent-Teacher Organization members, organized the fair after receiving approval from the school.
Throughout the day, Western Avenue teachers brought their students to the fair. Only one class at a time attended. Parents arrived whenever it was most convenient.
While many students brought cash, parents could pre-order books from Da Book Joint before the fair. Authors and comic creators sold their wares directly to students after showing their books, comics, artwork, postcards and stickers at their booths.
Courtney Woods, who co-owns Da Book Joint with her mother, managed the store’s booth with assistance from Staci Stout, owner of D’s Cookies in Flossmoor and a Western Avenue parent. Stout said this arrangement wasn’t planned, but she arrived with the intention of helping any vendor who needed assistance.
“It’s very diverse here in this community,” Western Avenue third-grade teacher Sierra Samuel said. “It’s important that kids can see all sorts of stories and comics, and see different avenues that they can take when they get older as well.”
George Gant, a comic strip artist on the north side of Chicago, offered free postcards featuring characters from his Beware of Toddler comic. He said he distributed most of the postcards, making the show successful.
“You give the kids something to enjoy and be inspired by,” Gant said, adding that at one point, a group of kids drew on pieces of paper near his booth. “My comic is a great opportunity for kids to see this is a thing you can do.”
Francis sold copies of Shirley’s Day, a comic book about a teenage girl going through school and hiding her snake powers, and stickers of cats with pastries.
While Kwaza sold his books to teachers, parents and students, he said the kids were especially receptive to his “smart books.” These are books with QR codes that make phones play music when they’re scanned.
Kids danced by Kwaza’s booth after scanning the QR codes in his books.
Western Avenue parent Nesheba Kittling bought books for herself and family members from Da Book Joint and Kwaza.
“I’m just happy that they’re still celebrating Black History Month and recognizing it this year,” Kittling said. “It’s especially important to continue to do so in these times and to reinforce the contributions that African Americans have made to this country.”
