1. What inspires you to write and create for young people?
--My first inspiration was my father, John Steptoe, also an award-winning author/illustrator. I watched him write and illustrate children’s books while I was growing up. During the process, he would always tell me how important it was to see yourself in the books you read. The main characters help you understand your place in the world and not having a main character of color sends a very powerful message, so I write and illustrate for children of color to be inspired and to balance out misconstrued conceptions about Black people.
2. What message/s do you hope to share with readers through your work?
--I want the viewers of my art to be discerning connoisseurs of good art as well as seeing the beauty in everyday objects in their environment.
3. Any message for young creators and the teachers who work with them?
--Follow your passion and curiosity. If you do that, you will always create great work.
Comments