“The charm of this unassuming, engaging picture book rests in the tongue-in-cheek parallels between the daily labors of parents and offspring,” according to Publishers Weekly. “The youngster here is an African American only child; the adults are active, serious professionals–father is an architect, mother an accountant.”
In its own way, Jamal’s day is as demanding as theirs: he “works with numbers” in math class, does “research” in the library, has “meetings to attend” in the school auditorium and occasionally settles schoolyard “disagreements between my co-workers.” The upbeat message is that both parents and children can “work hard” and accomplish much in their respective arenas: all have something to contribute and all work has value. Illustrating this sweetly didactic story are Ford’s (Bright Eyes, Brown Skin ) realistic watercolors, which present a boy full of energy and excited by his truly “busy day.” Ages 3-7.
” Jamal, a handsome, energetic African-American boy, is shown making all the necessary preparations for school that his parents make to begin their day,” reads a review in School Library Journal. “
After washing, brushing his teeth, and dressing himself, he has breakfast with his father and mother, an architect and an accountant. Using one or two sentences per page, Jamal compares his “work” to that of each of his parents: making drawings, working with numbers, doing reports, taking a crowded bus home, etc. He is beautifully portrayed as an empowered child in the appealing drawings that reinforce the success motif throughout. This early reader is a real winner.

Wade Hudson’s career as a writer spans more than three decades. In 1988, Hudson’s passion for writing and life-long mission to help foster positive self-image within the Black community, prompted he and his wife Cheryl to launch Just Us Books, the nation’s leading independent publisher of Black-interest books for young people. Another imprint, Marimba Books, was launched in 2008, with a focus on multicultural literature for children and young adults.

Wade Hudson
Wade HudsonAn accomplished and award-winning author, he has written more than 25 books for young people including, AFRO-BETS Book of Black Heroes, Poetry from the Masters: The Pioneers and Jamal’s Busy Day, Pass It On: African-American Poetry for Children, Powerful Words: More than 200 Years of Extraordinary Writing by African Americans and the Great Black Heroes series. His most recent titles include Its Church Going Time, Places I Love to Go, and Puddin, Jeffrey and Leah: Best Friends.

He is also very active in his community, serving on the board of the Isaiah House in East Orange, NJ and the Langston Hughes Library at the Alex Haley Farm, operated by the Children’s Defense Fund. In 2004, he and his wife co-founded The Knowledge Is Power Project, a non-profit youth literacy organization dedicated to bringing children and books together. He is a Stephen Crane Literary Award recipient, was named a “Man of Valor” in Newark, NJ and was inducted into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. His literary affiliations include PEN America and the Authors’ Guild.

Wade speaks to students across the country and conducts workshops for teachers and parents. He can be reached at justusbook@aol.com. Web Site: http://www.justusbooks.com.