Additional information
by Christina Rudenko (Illustrator), Trevor D (Author)
Trevor D. is a literacy advocate and American writer of books for children and youth in grades K-3. She created the "I Am Me Series," which includes four books centered around a little African American boy named Jayden, and his friends. The books highlight global, central themes of self- love, love for others, and an appreciation for diversity through empathy. The debut book in the series entitled "I Am Me," introduced the main character named, Jayden.
"Jayden & Zora's Crown" is the second book in the series which is a story that teaches Jayden and the crew a lesson about celebrating friends and honoring the things that make them great. Well, Zora, a bold, lively, gutsy little girl who has been taught the importance of loving and accepting herself, teaches Jayden and Chad a lesson on the beauty of her hair and why she declares it as her "crown."
The greatly anticipated third book in the, "I Am Me" series, "Jayden & Chad, The Sickle Cell Warrior" is set to be released in Fall 2020. This book will help raise awareness about sickle cell and honor the warriors who heroically battle this disease daily. The last book in the series, scheduled to be released at the end of 2020, will focus on building financial literacy in young kids. Jayden and the crew will learn the importance of setting financial goals and sticking to them.
Trevor D. has made fostering literacy her mission. She's recognized that brown and black boys are pulling up the rear when it comes to literacy and she is determined to shift the paradigm, one book at a time. She intends to use her platform to promote and advocate for more attention and focus be given to fostering a love for reading and writing in African American boys in the early stages in their academic journeys.
Trevor D. has embarked on a quest to utilize her love for writing to create a space where the underrepresented can find books where the characters look like them and share a cultural connection. Her goal is to infuse representation in books that will ignite a passion for reading and promote positive self-images. Her intention is to inspire brown and black boys to seek to excel in life, in a diversity of areas, and not live into the stereotypes that have been set.
Trevor D. also hopes to give all children the gift of being able to see the world through the eyes of others. "The gift of empathy is what allows us the ability to embrace our differences and similarities and use them to make the world a better place." - Trevor D.
While COVID-19 has greatly impacted the way children learn and the way they receive information, it has not diminished Trevor D.'s desire to advocate for literacy. In March 2020, she started a weekly broadcast called Kid Lit Live with Trevor D on Facebook Live to help enhance the learning experience during this time. Trevor D. reads diverse books to children and pairs the reading with an activity related to the reading for the day. She recently included an interpreter who signs in American Sign language for the deaf, hard of hearing, and the hearing impaired.
