Breanna J. McDaniel

Breanna J. McDaniel (she/her/hers) is the co-founder of REIYL (Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature) and an author. She’s published in myriad academic journals, an academic anthology and her debut picture book Hands Up! was published with Dial Books in 2019, while her newest picture book Impossible Moon was published with Denene Millner Books in June of 2022

She has five forthcoming picture books, one with Dial GO FORTH AND TELL: The Life of August Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller coming in February of 2024 and Cute Toot with Henry Holt Books for Young Readers in the Spring of 2024.

Breanna’s academic research is focused on surveillance and respectability politics in representations of Black children as food in contemporary picture books. A proud alumna of Emory University and Simmons University, she completed her PhD in Education in September of 2022.

1. I’m from Atlanta, GA. To be more specific I grew up in College Park and East Point, GA surrounded by my siblings and cousins. While I will always love how vibrant my home community is, it’s changing quite a bit. I just hope some things never change, like the sounds and smells at the DeKalb Farmers’ Market and food at my favorite wings spot off of Highway 29!

2. I write children’s books and my favorite genre is picture books. My first picture book, Hands Up! was published in 2019 by Dial Books for Young Readers and I have a few more on the way.

3. Growing up I dreamed of being a combo archaeologist/lawyer. I would make huge historical finds and then use my law degree to protect the artifacts that I found.

   My friends who are attorneys now tell me that’s not exactly how it works¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Soooo, I am not a lawyer, but there’s still time.

4. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson are three of my favorite books.

   I also reread A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle every year on my birthday which is probably number one in my top 5 fav books period. I’m grateful to be alive during a time when Ava DuVernay’s interpretation exists, if you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?! Never thought I’d see #AMegLikeMe !

5. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do but vacations kind of stress me out. I always feel like I should be working on a project, reading for my research, or doing something that helps build my writing and academic goals BUT when I finally do relax, I’m always excited to try new activities and foods. Adventure is my middle name…Not really, but it should be.

6. Opera is amazing, and a great moment in the history of Bre was feeling goosebumps raise on my arms as Morris Robinson sang out the first line of “Bess You Is My Woman Now” during a concert at Spelman College. My face was WET with tears, it was so incredibly beautiful.

7. The huge amount of concentrated love in the circle of exceptional Black women and girls that surround me is magical. I’m blessed by their love, support, and prayers.

8. I’m a proud alumna of Emory University and Simmons University (MA Children’s Literature) and I completed my PhD in Education in September of 2022!