How long have you been writing Children’s Literature and how many books have you traditionally published?

I have been writing for 10 years, since 2015. I have 24 books traditionally published. I also have 5 under contract right now.

Which, if any, of your books are your favorite?

My series, Mr. Grizley’s Class. I started it 2 months after the murder of George Floyd. Mr. Grizley is a large man who is caring and compassionate.

Since this is Black History Month in the United States, this blog focuses on the experiences of African Americans in terms of Cultural Security and Cultural Deprivation.

Here are the definitions –

1. Cultural Security is when one’s cultural practices and property are kept secure and not taken or exploited. The practices and property are successfully kept and transmitted to generations that follow.
2. Cultural Deprivation is when the transmission of one’s cultural practices is prohibited or inhibited, because of a traumatic experience. An example of this is how the slave trade of the United States deprived the slaves of their African culture.

Please define cultural security in your own words.

This is when you tell stories completely and truly. You preserve the actual history. My mother was a genealogist. She would speak about this in her own way.

Please define cultural deprivation in your own words.

This is erasing or deleting parts of a culture’s history. The story is incomplete. This is so others can feel comfortable. It deprives and hurts society.

How do 1 or 2 of your books demonstrate these concepts?

My series on Black Men in Science. One in particular that stands out is Henry Turner. In this book I relay how he had a PhD in Biology and Zoology. No college would hire him. He worked at a Black High School. He invented scientific equipment. He ran experiments. He wrote and published scientific papers. I think about the l lost potential. What more could Dr. Turner accomplish if he was employed at a college?

Anti‐Racists Kitchen is another book. It is a multi‐cultural look at racism in the kitchen. It is about food and how we treat each other. It is about how society treats people.

Any new books or events on the horizon that you want to mention?

I have four new books coming out in my Milo Gray’s Imagination Series in August of 2025. I will be releasing a new book series in 2026. Be on the lookout for these books.

How can people purchase your books?

My website ‐ bryanpatrickavery.com, or at indie bookstores, or at bookshop.org.

Any other comments?

Thanks for this meaningful opportunity to interview.