Hello Mrs. Nikki Grimes. How long have you been writing Children's Literature and approximately how many children's books have you traditionally published?

It’s Ms. Nikki Grimes. I’ve been devoted to children’s literature since I published my first book for young readers, Growin’, in 1977 though, at the time, I thought it would be a first and last juvenile project. I had plans to return to a focus on books for adults, but God clearly had something else in mind! I have published more than 106 books, to date.

1b. What is the name of your favorite book that you have written?

I honestly don’t have a single favorite, but I am particularly partial to my golden shovel collections, One Last Word, and Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as Ordinary Hazards, my memoir, because it was, hands down, the most challenging.

1c. When did you first take a poetry class? How long have you studied poetry?

I’ve participated in workshops, and studied writing and literature at college, but I’ve never taken a poetry class, per se. That said, I’ve never ceased to study poetry. I’ve read and studied a variety of poetry forms, practiced writing them, and learned from inviting and receiving critique from other poets. I continue to be a student of the genre, becoming excited whenever I encounter a form I’ve never attempted before. My golden shovel collections are a perfect example of that. I was invited to attempt the form, created by Terrence Hayes, for a book celebrating the work of Gwendolyn Brooks. In the process, I fell in love with the form, and immediately began looking for other ways to practice and explore its intricacies. There are still many poetry forms I’ve yet to tackle, so I’m definitely not done!

What would you say are the themes across all of your many Children’s Literature publications?

That’s a tough one. My books have touched on social justice, mental illness, foster care, home insecurity, Black children engaging in nature, Black joy, Black history ‐ I don’t think much in terms of themes. I think about what’s missing from the children’s literary canon, and seek to make my contributions there, and so I tackle tough topics like mental illness, sexual assault, alcoholism, topics that others may avoid. But when I noticed that too few books featured Black characters engaging in nature, I turned my attention to stories addressing those themes. That was the inspiration for Southwest Sunrise, A Walk in the Woods, and A Cup of Quiet, for instance. If I were to think about themes that bind all of my work, I would have to say hope and faith. They are the threads I weave through all of my writing and they are the threads I search for, and respond to, in the books I read by others.

What themes are represented in Lullaby for a King?

The miracle of God coming to earth in the form of a human child is the same in every retelling of the story of Christ’s birth. In each, the gift of God’s son inspires those who receive him to offer gifts of their own, in response.

Why did you want to write this book, Lullaby for the King? What did you want to tell the world?

My goal wasn’t as grand as all that. I simply wanted to celebrate the birth of the King from the point of view of some of the many creatures God breathed life into. I wanted to bring a freshness to this two‐thousand year old story so that readers would, perhaps, pay attention to it in a new way. The old stories call for that, because without fresh retellings, the original meaning becomes stale and lost to us. Through Lullaby for the King, I invite readers to follow the example of the creatures in this story, to offer to their Creator a gift from their own hearts. Hopefully, the lyrical quality of the writing will cause the story to stay with them a little longer, and sing inside of them for years to come.

What is the significance of this message?

This is not technically a message book because I don’t write message books. I write poems and stories about topics that move or inspire me, stories about topics young people are wrestling with, stories on subjects that need to be thought about and discussed, and those stories become an entry point for conversations between young readers and the adults in their lives, whether they be parents, teachers, librarians or some other significant adult in their world. My job is not to write messages, but to layer my characters, and poems, and stories so richly that whoever reads them can come away with some worthwhile nugget, or thought to chew on. We each bring different experiences to the books we read, so each person comes away with something slightly different, which makes perfect sense. If a book is written well, and the storyline is robust, there are messages aplenty to be found without the need for the author to, metaphorically speaking, draw an arrow pointing to a specific thought or idea.

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

I have three new books this year. The first, Glory, Too is a poetry collection for adults, a sequel to Glory in the Margins. The other two books are for children: A Cup of Quiet, magically and masterfully illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson, a story about a grandmother and granddaughter exploring the sounds of nature in grandma’s backyard. The second is Loser, the fifth book in the Dyamonde Daniel chapter book series, published by Reycraft in June. I’m so excited for the continuation of this popular series! Book #6 will be out in 2026.

Looking forward, Stronger Than, with Choctaw co‐author Stacy Wells, is a book featuring a Black Choctaw character in a story that paints a picture of the reservoirs of strength to be found in the boy’s dual ancestry, a strength he learns to rely on in this tale about overcoming fear. Award‐winning illustrator, E.B. Lewis brings this story to life. This picture book arrives in January. Finally, come March, my next adult book, Twice Blessed: Yard Sale Stories, releases. This collection is about the things we hold dear, then let go; the things that we own, and that own us; the history, heartache, memories and joy that our things embody, and the treasures they become when they change hands and are rescued, redeemed, and renewed by their new owners. I’ve lived with these stories for a very long time!

How can people purchase your books?

Their local independent bookstores are always my first choice. If you know what book you’re looking for, and they don’t have it on hand, they’ll be happy to order it for you. Not sure of a title? Check my website. Not only will you find a complete list of available books, but you’ll also find descriptions and reviews of each one, helping you to make the right choice for your young readers. Barnes & Nobel is another place to check, in person or online. Bookshop.org is great about stocking a lot of my titles, including new titles available for preorder. And Amazon ‐ in other words, all the usual suspects!

You are open to giving a free manuscript critique or free book to someone who likes and comments on our interview on my blog. Which type of manuscript? How many words or pages? Or which book ‐ Lullaby for the King or A Cup of Quiet?

I’m happy to sign and send a copy of my newest picture book, A Cup of Quiet.

Any other comments?

At this time when book bans are raging across the country, and books featuring characters of color are being ripped from the shelves, it’s more important now than ever to share such books with the children in your lives. It’s critical to mental and emotional well‐being that children see themselves, and those around them, reflected in the books they read. Often, a book is the first place children feel seen, the first place they experience a sense of compassion, and the first time they understand that we are all more alike than we are different ‐ concepts that have never been more crucial.