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Storytime: Maya’s Song

Sat, Nov 5, 2022 from 12:10 pm - 12:30 pm PDT
1219 SW Park Avenue Portland, OR 97205

General Admission Pass required for entry

From bestselling, award-winning creators Renée Watson and Bryan Collier comes a stunningly crafted picture book chronicling the life of poet and activist Maya Angelou.

This unforgettable picture book introduces young readers to the life and work of Maya Angelou, whose words have uplifted and inspired generations of readers. The author of the celebrated autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya was the first Black person and first woman to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration, and her influence echoes through culture and history. She was also the first Black woman to appear on the United States quarter.

Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson uses Angelou’s beloved medium of poetry to lyrically chronicle her rich life in a deeply moving narrative. Vivid and striking collage art by Caldecott Honor recipient and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Bryan Collier completes this unforgettable portrait of one of the most important American artists in history.

Maya’s momma was right.

Maya was a preacher, a teacher.

A Black girl whose voice

chased away darkness, ushered in light.


Portland Book Festival General Admission Passes are required for entry into all events. Passes are $15 in advance and $25 day of Festival. Youth 17 & under, or with a valid high school ID get in FREE. All full-priced General Admission Passes include a $5 book fair voucher and entry into Portland Art Museum. Passes admit attendees to the Festival; individual events are first-come, first-served. More info here.

Renée Watson

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and activist. Her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together (Bloomsbury, 2017) received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Her poetry and fiction often center around the experiences of black girls and women, and explores themes of home, identity, and the intersections of race, class, and gender. Renée served as Founder and Executive Director of I, Too, Arts Collective, a nonprofit committed to nurturing underrepresented voices in the creative arts, from 2016-2019. Her latest books are Maya's Song and Ways to Share Joy. Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and splits her time between Portland and New York City.
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Emily Arrow

Emily Arrow (she/they) is an award-winning children’s songwriter, author, and educator known for crafting meaningful stories and songs. She is the author of many books for children including the picture book Studio: A Place For Art to Start (Penguin Random House), Kids’ Guide to Ukulele and Kids’ Guide to Piano (Happy Fox Books) and eagerly awaits four forthcoming titles with Candlewick Press. In addition to writing and teaching, Emily works as a writer and show creator for children’s media, and her long standing role as Children’s Stage Host at the Literary Arts' Portland Book Festival for nine years underlines her commitment to promoting literacy and arts. Visit www.EmilyArrow.com to learn more.
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