Stefanie Foster Brown

I am thrilled to announce I received the 2026 EJK Writer Honor!  When I got the news, I was floored. “I’m sorry,” I said, “I have no words…” The kind voice on the other end told me it was OK, because I “had left all the words on the page.” This EJK Award represents the values I hold most dear as a writer. To receive such recognition is not only a proud honor, but confirmation that I’m where I need to be, doing work I set out to do. For that, I could not be more grateful. Thank you to the EJK Award Committee for bestowing this honor, my publisher @denenemillnerbooks for her unwavering commitment to the the work of representation, @kekkerz86 for her beautiful art, and @wendilulugu for believing in this book from the start. CONGRATS to all of this year’s awardees. @ejkfoundation @usmdegrum @southernmisscbf  @simonandschuster @hgliterary #myheartspeakskriolu

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: I wanted to write about Charles Ethan Porter (1847-1923) the moment I first saw his work. After viewing his paintings at a local gallery, I sat researching on my phone in my hot car. I needed to know who Porter was and why I had never heard his name. A 19th century still life artist from my home state of #CT, Porter pursued his passion for art against all odds. He became one of the first Black students admitted into NYC’s leading art school, funded his own studies in Paris, and made a lifelong career as a professional artist despite facing every possible rejection from the art world. Porter didn’t have the finances to incorporate ornate vases and vessels into his still lifes. What he did have was his mother’s garden and the ability to recognize the beauty around him. Beauty was in the glow of an apple’s skin. The twist of a stem. A petal unfolding. One of my favorite C. E. Porter paintings is of a watermelon. Porter painted it when the image of the watermelon was beginning to be weaponized against Black Americans as part of a racist trope. Porter reclaimed that imagery and turned it on its head . . . by painting the most exquisite watermelon, violently broken open for the world to see in all its raw beauty. That painting now hangs on the wall of @metmuseum . Porter’s stunning work and unshakable commitment to his craft moved me. His story wouldn’t let me go. Still, I wasn’t sure a story about a relatively obscure 19th century still life painter would find a home in the #kidlit world. I spent months writing and researching before ever telling my agent @wendilulugu what I was working on. I will forever be grateful for her instant belief in this story. @taylornorm ‘s enthusiasm for this book has been a gift. And then to enlist the artistic talents of @cozbi to tell the story through her art. . . My friends, this experience has been a joy and a dream. If you’ve never heard of #CharlesEthanPorter, and this book in some small way acquaints you with his inspiring life, then I count that a great honor. #stilllife #blackartist #blackhistory #arthistory

NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: If you know me… you know that I LOVE my sister! So writing a book celebrating sisterhood was inevitable. Swipe to see a pic of the actual day that inspired this story. It’s my sister’s first day of kindergarten and I’m gutted that I don’t get to go with her. As I grew up, I began to appreciate my big sis paving the way… and how she made me braver to find my own path. So excited to see this one come to life through the vision of the @littlebrownyoungreaders team and the art of rahele_studio As always, grateful for the best agent out there @wendilulugu #bookannouncement #pb #sisters #kidlit

The perk of being outdoors for a reading today was that my dog got to attend. She was a captive audience (like literally, she was on a leash) Let me tell you though, she was VERY, VERY impressed. 😜

Hey, Long Island/ Queens fam! I’ll be in your neck of the woods tomorrow at 12pm to read and sign my book at the @goldcoastbkfair Would love to see you there. Bring some friends, walk around, grab some food, and get your favorite books by your favorite authors signed! #bookfest #longisland

Imma wear this ribbon out in public the rest of the week just to see what happens… (I helped out with a local school’s writing competition, but they don’t need to know that.) 😜

@elirbrown felt I could use a hobby and kindly gifted me a woodworking class. I had grandiose visions of myself building furniture with power tools. Apparently, that’s not the starting point for this sport… but hand-carving a spoon is. It’s gonna be a minute, folks. #makingstuff

Stories that reflect the many ways we live, love, and grow. 🌈📚 These three reads celebrate diversity across ages, offering young readers windows into different cultures, identities, and experiences while reminding them that every voice matters. 🐣 Early Readers: PAPA’S COMING HOME by Chasten Buttigieg (@chasten.buttigieg ), illustrated by Dan Taylor (@dantaylorillustrator ) | Publisher: Philomel Books (@philomelbooks ) 🐤 Elementary Readers: MY HEART SPEAKS KRIOLU by Stefanie Foster Brown (@steffosterbrown ), illustrated by Keisha Morris (@kekkerz86 ) | Publisher: Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (@denenemillnerbooks ) 🐔 Middle Grade Readers: GOODBYE, FRENCH FRY by Rin-rin Yu (@rinrinyutheauthor ) | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (@nancyrosep ) . . . #DiverseBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #RepresentationMatters #Bookstagram

Celebrated THIS guy today. @lc2_nice is going to college 😭… and he’s so smart 😭… and such a nice guy 😭… and such a great athlete 😭…. and so much taller than me 😭 And he’s signing with a D1 football team. 😭 So proud of you, Neph! Your future is bright. Overjoyed to have a front row seat to you tackling down dreams!

Flew down to Mississippi for the #EJK awards ceremony a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. But the warmth and hospitality that the @usmdegrum and @ejkfoundation greeted me here has floored me. To be celebrated for my work in this way has been surreal and nothing short of a dream. … And then for @elirbrown to fly in at 2am in the morning to be by my side when I received an award… I’m undone. Leaving this place so filled up and feeling so much joy. So honored to have shared this experience with my fellow recipients @safajarwrites @kesi.augustine @mokshini @tallulahfontaine … holy moly, if you don’t follow them already, please do. They’re the most talented, big-hearted folks you could ever meet. #ejkaward

Makes me smile to see this growing stack of children’s books featuring Cabo Verdean families… and to think, MORE ARE ON THE WAY! 🇨🇻 #caboverde #kidlit #kriolu 💙 ❤️ 💙 Do you know these titles?… Rica Baptista series by @jcostabates Tiagu & Volvo by @scribing_sista Seaside Dreams by @jcostabates What Are You by @i_be_da_storyteller Cesaria Feels the Beat by @deniselit4kids My Heart Speaks Kriolu by @Steffosterbrown

I LOVE, love, love seeing folks live out their dreams. So glad my girls got a front row seat to see cousin/ actor extraordinaire @fobbsy center stage. Her talent matched with hard work and drive dazzles. The fact that the front row seat just happened to be on a Disney Cruise… well now, that’s just over-the-top! Thank YOU for the dreamiest week, Rachel!!! #thespian #dreams #hustle