I am an award-winning children’s author, poet, educator, scholar, and a former professor of Early Childhood Education and Child Development. My first children’s book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show and Storytime with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and my second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award. I am also the author of the popular picture book series Where in the Garden (Peachtree Publishing), four Chicken Soup for the Soul Babies/Kids books, Crayola’s Follow That Line! Magic at Your Fingertips (Running Press Kids, 2022), the Harriet Tubman Little Golden Book Biography, the Simone Biles Little Golden Book Biography and the New York Times Bestselling book Why Not You? (Penguin/Random House) which I collaborated with Ciara and Russell Wilson. I have many more books both published and forthcoming including titles in my chapter book series Love Puppies (Scholastic, 2023-2024), Jam, Too (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2024), and Mahogany (Charlesbridge, 2024). 

Keynote Presentations

Dr. Brown-Wood's Keynotes: 
Intentionality, Diversity, and the Power of Representation
The Power of Sharing Authentically Diverse Books with Children and Youth
Inspiration and The Stories it can Grow
What Books Can Be–Windows, Mirrors, Sliding glass doors
The Power of Literacy: Engaging Young African American Readers
Equity, Literacy, and the Importance of Representation
The Music in Read-Aloud Books
Additional presentations upon request!
Testimonials
JaNay was so enthusiastic and motivating! She was informational and provided an outlet to reflect and then improve yourself. Fabulous speaker and absolutely amazing!
JaNay was such a fun engaging and knowledgeable speaker. Her presentation got us excited about bringing more musicality into our read alouds!
JaNay’s presentation was filled with evidence and research-based information. Her whole presentation was such an inspiration and encouragement to be intentional in my work with children to provide optimal experiences in math + literacy + diversity. Thanks JaNay! Audrey Montgomery ~ CSPP Program Director/Preschool Teacher

Presentations For Kids and Students​
Dr. Brown-Wood's Presentations for Kids: 
  • Author Day with Mrs. JaNay (a quick presentation about her journey, perseverance, and sharing some books)
  • Where in the Garden Storytime (with song and activity)–Any of the Where in the Garden books
  • Circle Times (which include short songs, reading a few of her books, and movement activities)–for preschool aged and younger
  • Let’s Talk About Reading: (Importance of reading and how it is important in so much that we do, share books, and answer questions)–K-3
  • Thinking about Journeys: The story of a Writer and her books (3-6, and above)
  • Magic in your Fingertips: Letting your Creativity Flow
  • Additional presentations upon request
Testimonials
Dr. Brown-Wood's excitement about and enthusiasm for reading was contagious. It was so much fun having a successful professional get others excited about reading!"
JaNay emphasized how important reading is for different professions. I had not seen an author bring that up before and I thought it was great! I also have never seen an author get the students standing and moving. Another awesome addition! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with JaNay!!

Presentations For Community Members (Parents and Adults)

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​​​Dr. Brown-Wood's Presentations for Community Members: 
  • Pondering Diversity in Children’s Books and Why it’s Important
  • Building brains and literacy skills
  • Diversity in children’s literature
  • Literacy and the Summertime Slide
  • Words on Inspiration and the Power of Representation
  • Additional presentations upon request
Testimonials
Dr. Brown-Wood's work is vibrant and captivating. Not only is she a talented author whose work belongs in every young person's library, her passion and expertise help succinctly guide parents and teachers working with struggling and reluctant readers.
I went to this school as a child. I have now taught here for 19 years. I was very moved to see a black woman in our MP room. She was inspirational to all of us.

Presentations For Educators & Librarians

Dr. Brown-Wood's Presentations for Educators & Librarians: 

  • Using Math to Empower Students through Diverse Math Stories
  • Words to Build a Better World: Contemplating and Crafting Authentic Stories for Children
  • Some food for thought: Research, ECE, and Ideas about Supporting Young Children
  • Considering curriculum planning in YOUR expanded learning environment
  • Words on Inspiration and the Power of Representation
  • Literacy, the Brain, and the Power of Representation
  • A Dive into Diversity in Children’s Books: Considerations for your Practice
  • The Importance of Diversity is More than Anecdotal
  • Using Poetry to Support Social and Emotional Skills
  • Additional presentations upon request
Testimonials
JaNay is a fantastic presenter and extremely knowledgeable. Her thoroughly researched presentation on racial bias and diversity gave me greater insight as to how I might be able to combat these biases as a children’s library in my library. If you have a chance to listen to her speak, I highly recommend. - Sarah, Children’s Librarian
JaNay’s presentation was engaging, powerful and enjoyable. She brought the read aloud to life. Her enthusiasm about books and everyone having access to to books is infectious.
Super engaging, collaborative, and interactive. I want to see and learn more from JaNay! --Laura Gonzalez (kindergarten teacher)

Presentations For Children's Authors

Dr. Brown-Wood's Presentations for Children's Book Authors: 
  • Creating Picture Books that POP!
  • Words to Build a Better World: Contemplating and Crafting Authentic Stories for Children
  • So You Want to Write a Children’s Picture Book? Here are Some Things to Know
  • Let’s Talk Picture Books: The art of crafting and revising books for children
  • The Music in Read-Alouds (writing and sharing them)
  • Inspiration and the Stories it can Grow
  • A weeklong workshop that teaches about all the steps needed to publish a book for kids
  • Additional presentations upon request
Testimonials
"Perhaps the best part of the intensive was chatting with JaNay Brown-Wood. As a person of color, I felt represented and hearing her experience in the field was meaningful."
​"I loved JaNay's energy. The page turns was also a nice culmination of information I hadn't seen it compiled in such a way and has already inspired a picture book idea."

Presentations for University and College Communities

Dr. Brown-Wood's Presentations for University and College communities: 
Stories, Preferences, and Mixed-Methods Analyses
A journey in Motion and Still in the Making
Additional presentations upon request
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