MULTICULTURAL BOOKS | YOLANDA T. MARSHALL

Yolanda T. Marshall is an award-winning Guyanese-born Canadian author of diverse, inclusive, festive children's literature. She ventured into the world of publishing in 2008 and received a multi-book deal in 2019. Yolanda is currently a traditionally published and agented author of seventeen books, including A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, Miles Away In The Caribbean, Sweet Sorrel Stand, C is for Carnival, Hot Cross Buns for Everyone and one of CBC’s best Canadian picture books of 2020 and TD’s Top Recommended Reads for 2023 - My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans. Yolanda is a columnist/editor for Canada's Caribbean Camera printed newspaper “Lit Corner,” where she promotes the books of other marginalized, Canadian authors. She reads for over 25,000 students annually, in Canada and New York . Yolanda appeared in numerous Television interviews, magazines, news articles, and major literary festivals. She is a recipient of the Caribbean media Loop Awards: Author of the Year 2022, CBC's 2020 Best Canadian Picture Book List, CIBWE Top 100 Black Women To Watch 2017, and one of Canada’s 100 Accomplished Black Women in 2022. Yolanda is a Membership Chair on the CANSCAIP Board (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers), a professional member of The Writer's Union of Canada and a PAL member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators).

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"Christmas Elves Being Themselves" is a festive story about elves being their unique and merriest selves: these elves ‘ confidence will encourage readers to celebrate our differences. A curious elf prefers to learn about how families celebrate Christmas worldwide. The busy elf decides to enjoy a beach vacation, while an adventurous elf takes a jolly ride down the chimney. One likes veggies more than cookies. Santa loves them all the same, even when they play naughty pranks. The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books. Like many of her other books, this picture book is beautifully illustrated by Daria Lavrova.

ByBlacks - Celebrate Black Canadian Authors

MORNIN' BARBADOS - CBC TV 8 Appearance

Author Of The Year 2022 Loop Awards

Telling Tales Author Q&A

Kente Claus Award Winner 2022

Additional titles are coming soon.

"Little Readers" is a line of books that encourage young children to read with a purpose and are excellent for culturally responsive educators and parents. These titles are exclusive to the Canadian publisher Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books. Like many of the author's books, this educational collection is written to celebrate and represent the diverse cultures within the African and Caribbean diaspora.

Let's improve the reading rates and experiences of all children/students.

"Hot Cross Buns For Everyone" is an inclusive 2022 Easter release. Jackson’s friends and families bake assorted hot cross buns for his Easter party. Liam’s foster parents use his most memorable Scottish ingredient, and Dimitri’s dad adds Greek mahlepi spice. Some have rainbow colours for all to see and a sweet Jamaican bun and cheese recipe! One by one, the children arrive with hot cross buns for everyone. It is illustrated by Daria Lavrova. The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing.

CBC's picture books to watch for Spring 2022 list.

Indigo - Author book signing and launch

The Star Newspaper - Halton School Board appearance Kindergarden to Grade 8

Milton newspaper - HDSB

CHCH TV appearance

The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens, Spring 2023

“A Piece of Black Cake for Santa” was originally published in 2017, and it is the Author’s second Children’s book. A new edition, illustrated by a South African Illustrator, Subi Bosa, was published in 2019. In 2021, this title was adopted and traditionally by Chalkboard Publishing. This book demonstrates the holiday experience of Femi and her friends, who planned to leave a few traditional Caribbean treats out for Santa, including Black Cake. The children share warm wishes for their favourite dishes while enjoying winter activities at the Christmas fair. The Canadian edition includes a Black Cake recipe.

One of the UK's ten best diverse and inclusive Christmas books for children by Hello Magazine

View the television appearance - Caribbean Christmas Traditions

WRTV - ABC NEWS television appearance USA

The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens, Spring 2022

"C is for Carnival" was published on August 1st 2021, by Chalkboard Publishing. D is for dance! E is for emancipation! This rhyming alphabet book celebrates the Caribbean Carnival from A to Z. This engaging and educational book features a diverse cast of children in vibrant costumes as they 'play mas' while dancing to Soca and Calypso music. A glossary at the end makes it easy for readers, including parents and teachers, to review what they have learned. It is illustrated by Daria Lavrova. This book includes a Paratha Roti recipe.

The US Version was published on April 20th 2023

The UK Version was published on May 1st 2023

Quill & Quire magazine review

She Does The City article, "16 Compelling Books By Black Canadian Authors."

Newspaper article - The Star and Scarborough Mirror

TV media appearance - BREAKFAST TELEVISION

The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens, Spring 2022

One of CBC's best picture books of 2020 is "My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans."
As Anne’s birthday drew close, her friends prepared a soca party. Anne loves Caribbean soca music played on steel pans and West Africa’s spicy jollof rice. Hence, her friends planned to celebrate her special day with a fusion of sounds and traditional dishes from the Caribbean and African countries, representing their diverse yet comparable cultures. Anne was in for a real surprise. This book includes a Jollof Rice recipe. Subi Bosa illustrates it.

The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, and this is Marshall's first traditionally published book.

TD Top Recommended Reads 2023

CBC The Next Chapter interview appearance - Listen here

Globe and Mail article - Introduction to this picture book

Children's books for Black History month

Newspaper article - The Star

CTN Caribbean News New York

Newspaper article - Scarborough Mirror

In June 2019, the Author launched "Miles Away In The Caribbean." This children's book is a poetically written, educational story about a Canadian boy named Miles (her son). In his magical spaceship, he visits Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. Miles highlights magnificent landmarks and enjoys his cultural adventures. Illustrated by Beatriz Mellow.

Storytime on Bibliovideo - Full reading on video

Visuals of this book - Miles's adventure 2019 launch video

Book launch - Steel Pan with Suzette summer 2019

Miss Marshall’s 2018 release is “Sweet Sorrel Stand.” Rose and Nicolas loved their favourite Caribbean sorrel drink in this children's book. The siblings decided to create a sorrel stand with the assistance of their parents. Their Sweet Sorrel Stand was a success in the neighbourhood. The drink's main ingredient is the Roselle plant (Sorrel), a hibiscus native to West Africa. The red flower buds are boiled, strained, and sweetened with sugar, with a touch of ginger, cinnamon, orange peel and cloves. Once cooled for a couple of hours or overnight, it is served with ice. It is known to be very rich in antioxidants. Traditionally, this drink is done during the Christmas holidays. On a hot summer day, it is a refreshing alternative to lemonade.

Vision Newspaper article

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper

FOLD Fall Book Fest

After becoming a mom, she was inspired to write her second book, a children’s book named "Keman’s First Carnival." This 2016 publication is about a young, Black Canadian child’s first experience of Toronto’s annual Caribbean Carnival. The excited 8-year-old and his Mother enjoyed the rituals at the Caribbean celebration, such as picking a flag to wave, the Caribbean-influenced foods, dancing, costumes, and music.

Indigo Sherway instore book reading appearance

The Author’s third release, “Messages on Dried Leaves,” is a mild resurrection of the Author’s first poetry book, ‘Obayifo.’ This book is a poetic collection.

The name of her first book, "Obayifo," originates from the Ashanti tribe. It is the name given to an African Witch. The poem visits the works of Obeah, its people and fears. This poetry book was published in 2008, while Yolanda attended the University of Toronto.