BLACK GOLD

When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth - rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth.

With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe, beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of black gold. Laura Obuobi's empowering, lyrical text and London Ladd's lustrous, captivating illustrations are a joyous, poetic celebration of Black children, and a reminder of the Universe's unconditional love and the amazing power within us all.

Laura Obuobi (Oh-bow-be) was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. She is a graduate of the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Laura is fascinated by West African history and how it connects West Africa to the Black diaspora. She loves to explore these connections, rich histories, and cultural elements in her stories for children and young adults.

London Ladd's illustrations have been featured in numerous picture books and magazines, along with community based murals. His published books include Midnight Teacher, Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, Waiting for Pumpsie, and March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World. He uses a unique mixed media approach combining cut paper textured with acrylic
paint, tissue paper, colored pencil, pen & ink and touches of digital to bring his diverse subjects to life. Visit him at
https://www.londonladd.com/