More About JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD, Author & Educator (She/Her)
Languages: English
JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD, is an award-winning and New York Times Best-Selling children’s author, poet, educator, scholar, and a former professor of Early Childhood Education and Child Development.
Her first children’s book lmani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, and her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award.
JaNay has over twenty books published including the popular picture book series Where in the Garden, the Harriet Tubman and Simone Biles Little Golden Book Biographies, the Scholastic chapter book series Love Puppies, and the highly praised picture book Jam, Too!-an NCTE Notable Poetry Book for 2025. Her books have been translated into several languages and continue to garner praise and adoration around the world. JaNay is also featured in several educational web-videos including Cooking with JaNay and Jammies with JaNay and she travels the country presenting to children, teachers, librarians, administrators, parents and community members about the importance of diverse children’s books and best ways to support the development of children.
JaNay lives in California with her husband Catrayel, her daughter Vivian, and her turtle Theodora.
You can find JaNay online at:
https://www.janaybrownwood.com/
Jammies with JaNay Episode 9: Shhh! The Baby's Asleep
JaNay’s strengths are…
Poetry and rhythm (scansion, dynamic word choice, etc.)
Giving feedback related to strengthening narrative arc
Delving into characters
Crafting fun read-alouds
Incorporating lessons and educational components into stories
What JaNay is looking for…
JaNay is looking for a mentee that is open to learning and ready to put in the work to expand and refine their craft. She enjoys pushing students to reflect and think deeply about their work and what they are hoping to do with the words they write.
She is looking for someone who is willing to put in the time and effort it requires to really become a strong writer, and someone who has hopes to turn their passion of writing into a career that enriches the lives of children everywhere.
A Note from JaNay:
“Write the story that comes from your heart. The authentic story that is dying to burst forth and into the world. Do not write what you think others might want or what you think the market is looking for. No. Write the story that is meaningful to you and infuse yourself into the words you capture on the page. I am so excited to read your material and to help you jumpstart your path to publishing!”
JaNay’s Picture Books
Please note that this is only a selection of JaNay’s picture books, and she also writes in other markets. Please see her full catalog on her website HERE.
Brown Girls Do Ballet, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and photos by TaKiyah Wallace-McMillian
Imani's Moon, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and Illustrated by Hazel Mitchel
The Wizard of Oz: The Official Picture Book, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Pablo Pino
On Our Way! What a Day!, written by JaNay Brown- Wood and illustrated by Tamisha Anthony
Grandma's Tiny House, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Priscilla Burris
Here are the Seeds, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Olivia Amoah
Amara’s Farm, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Samara Hardy
Miguel’s Community Garden, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Samara Hardy
Jam, Too?, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
Why Not You?, written by Ciara and Russell Wilson with JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Jessica Gibson
*NYT Bestseller
Too-Small Tyson, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Anastasia Magloire Williams
Follow That Line!: Magic at Your Fingertips, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Rob Justus
Harriet Tubman: Little Golden Book, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Rober Paul Jr.
Simone Biles: Little Golden Book, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Kim Holt
Mahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by John Joven
Shhh! The Baby's Asleep, written by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by Elissambura
If JaNay created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
Pokko and the Drum, written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
We Don't Eat Our Classmates, written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins
Anna Hibiscus Book Series, written and illustrated by Atinuke
Stories with energy like…
Bluey and Bingo from Bluey
Jasmine from Boondocks
JaNay is a good fit for…
A lot of heart
Learning elements that are woven into the narrative (concept books included)
Strong rhyme
Lyrical and rhythmic language
Spunky characters who take initiative
Characters of color and from diverse backgrounds
Stories that make for dynamic and engaging read-alouds!
JaNay is not a good fit for…
Forced rhyme
Overly didactic stories
Non-fiction
Who can apply to JaNay? Unagented authors.
Click below to register for our Mentee Announcement (on Zoom) on May 15, 2025 at 8:00pm Eastern Time!