Description
Perfect for kids aged 4-8 comes a stunning picture book about persistence, being creative in the garden, and adapting to a new place.
When Amina moves from the Caribbean to a new snowy home, she misses growing her favorite foods. There are no coconut trees to climb, no gardens full of sweet potatoes and callaloo—only ice and snow. As Amina looks out her frosted window, she sings a traditional children’s song from back home, adding her own twist: “There’s a brown girl in the snow, tra la la la la, where none of her plants will grow.”
Determined to find a way to make her favorite plants grow in a new climate, she comes across a possible solution after discovering a library book about gardening and greenhouses. Perhaps there is a way to grow sweet potatoes, after all!
This stunning picture book written by a Guyanese-born author features:
- An introduction to gardening and greenhouses
- A note from the author about the inspiration behind the story
With gorgeous images by Marianne Ferrer, and moving text by Yolanda T. Marshall, Brown Girl in the Snow is inspired by a traditional Caribbean children’s song and captures a child’s unwavering persistence and passion, as she grows into her new home.
Author Bio
Yolanda T. Marshall is an award-winning Caribbean Canadian author of diverse, inclusive, festive children's literature. She ventured into the world of publishing in 2008. Yolanda is currently a traditionally published and agented author of over 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 also a columnist/editor for Canada's Caribbean Camera printed newspaper ‘Lit Corner’, where she promotes the books of other marginalized Canadian authors. She has read for over 25,000 students annually in Canada for the last few years and was recently invited by a New York school board into their classrooms. Yolanda appeared in numerous Television interviews, magazines and news articles and is a recipient of the Caribbean media Loop Awards: Author of the Year 2022, CIBWE Top 100 Black Women to Watch 2017, one of Canada’s 100 Accomplished Black Women in 2022 and the My People Award: Outstanding Contributions to Canadian Literature in 2023. She is a PAL member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators).
Marianne Ferrer was born in Venezuela and immigrated to Canada in 1998. After attending Dawson College in Montreal, Quebec, for illustration and design, she completed her education in graphic design at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Marianne has illustrated many books including Toucania (Monsier Ed), Mel and Mo's Marvelous Balancing Act (Annick Press) and The Invisible Garden (Orca). Her style is characterized by its charm, delicacy and depth. Marianne lives in Montreal.
Biographical note
Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese-born Canadian author. A world traveler, jazz lover, and devoted mother, she embodies art and takes her readers on adventurous, cultured journeys. She lives in Toronto with her family.
Marianne Ferrer was born in Venezuela and moved to Canada as a child with her family, trading forests of mango trees for the oaks and maples that inspire her beautiful, nature-filled watercolor illustrations. She currently lives in Montreal, Quebec, with her husband.
