Jump In!

Ages 4 to 8

Acclaimed artist Shadra Strickland makes her author/illustrator debut in a joyful picture book celebrating a community at play.

It’s a sunny spring day, and the tic tac tic tac of jump ropes hitting the ground floats through the wind.

Jump in!

Everyone lines up for a turn at double dutch. The Delancy twins, double dutch divas. Leroy Jones with the hip-hop tricks. Even Ms. Mabel, showing the youngstas how it’s done.

And after a day of fun, when the street lights start to flicker, it’s time to . . . jump out!

With gate folds that reveal hidden surprises, a bold graphic style, and an exuberance that leaps off the page, this energetic picture book will make readers of all ages get up on their feet!

About the Author

Shadra Strickland studied design, writing, and illustration at Syracuse University, and completed her M.F.A. at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She won the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent in 2009 for her work in her first picture book, Bird, written by Zetta Elliott. Shadra’s ultimate goal as a picture book author and illustrator is to teach children how to live their dreams. Shadra travels the country conducting workshops and sharing her work with children, teachers, and librarians. She currently teaches illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. www.jumpin.shadrastrickland.com / @ShadrasArt (Twitter) / @Shadrieka (Instagram)