5 Questions: Kimberly Griffin
Tell me a little bit about yourself. I’m a Texas native, wife, and mother. I hold a degree in fashion merchandising from the University of North Texas; however, for the past five years I’ve been focusing my efforts on working inside the home and helping raise our two daughters. In my free time, I enjoy digging for gold in the racks of my local thrift stores, trying out new foodie events, and writing about my adventures on my lifestyle blog, officiallykim.com.
What inspires you as an author and writer? What inspires me as an author is my daughters. Watching what they glean from their experiences with me is so fascinating. I wanted them to have Mama Braids as an encouragement for the times they might be in uncomfortable spaces as they grow up. I wanted to leave this specific legacy for them in hopes that one day they will grasp the weight of the importance of what gets passed down through generations.
Why do you think representation in children’s literature is important? I believe representation in children’s literature is important because at a young age they need to understand that they are seen, heard, and identified with even if they are in the minority. Children need to see themselves represented so they do not feel invisible or like their experiences do not matter. Books for young readers are the perfect vehicle to let them know they matter very much, and they are not alone.
What have you read recently that you would recommend and why? I read a book I really enjoyed called The Forgotten Jesus by Robby Gallaty. I highly recommend this book because its sole purpose is to challenge the Western approach of viewing Jesus, opting instead to view Him from the Jewish perspective.
What is next on the horizon for you? What’s next for me is focusing on getting copies of Mama Braids into little hands as much as possible. One of the main ways I’m focusing on right now is getting onto the bookshelves of libraries across Texas and hopefully beyond. I also have another children’s literary work that has been sitting in my phone notes app for years. Possibly in the distant future, if the timing is right, I hope to publish that one as well.
Mama Braids by Kimberly Griffin
Mama Braids is a thoughtful depiction of how a mother inspires her daughter to be proud of their culture as represented by the simplicity of hair braiding. Through poetic dialogue, beautiful imagery, and stunning watercolor illustrations, the story is a wonderful read to enjoy with the whole family!
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
Henry Award-winner Souvankham Thammavongsa gives us a story collection which honors characters struggling to find their bearings far from home, even as they do the necessary “grunt work of the world.” She paints a vivid picture of them struggling to make a living, illuminating their hopes, disappointments, love affairs, acts of defiance, and above all, their pursuit of a place to belong.
Lovely by Jess Hong
Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. This beautifully illustrated children’s book examines all the ways that we are different and lovely.
