Monica Brown

Monica Brown, Ph.D., is the author of a wide range of multicultural picture books for children, including notable titles such as "Waiting for the Biblioburro," "Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/Marisol McDonald no combina," "Frida and her Animalitos," and the "Lola Levine" chapter book series. Her works have garnered multiple awards, including two Américas Awards and a Christopher Award. "Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash/Marisol McDonald y la fiesta sin igual," the second book in the Marisol series, was published in September 2013. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as on NPR’s "All Things Considered."

Brown's books reflect her Peruvian and Jewish heritage and are inspired by her desire to bring diverse stories to children. She has stated, "I write from a place of deep passion, joy, and commitment to producing the highest possible quality of literature for children." Her other notable works include "Side by Side: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez/Lado a lado: La historia de Dolores Huerta y Cesar Chavez," an NAACP Image Award nominee; "Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo"; "Pelé, King of Soccer/Pelé, el rey del fútbol"; and "Chavela and the Magic Bubble."

Monica Brown is a Professor of English at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches courses in Latine, African American, and U.S. multi-ethnic literature and serves as the Faculty Ombuds. She has also collaborated with organizations such as Reading is Fundamental and The Freedom to Read Foundation, promoting children's literacy on a global scale including through initiatives like Rally to Read 100. Brown has appeared at significant literary events such as The National Book Festival and The Texas Book Festival, and has been a visiting specialist for the U.S. State Department in countries like Panama, Peru, and Chile. She continues to balance her academic responsibilities with her passion for children's literature and storytelling, living in Flagstaff, Arizona, with her husband and two daughters.