INTERVIEW: Author Rashad Malik Davis launches children’s book series

Illustrator and author Rashad Malik Davis recently launched a series of children’s books that will explore the themes of diversity, human emotions and empathy. The first book in the Carefree, Like Me! series is subtitled Chapter 1: Root the Brave.

The New Jersey resident is a graduate of Tufts University and currently earning his master’s degree at the Savannah College of Art & Design. Although the series can be enjoyed by anyone, the target age is 6 to 9, or grades two to four.

Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Davis about the new project. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What was your motivation for releasing your first children’s book?

I’ve always been creative, and I’ve always loved storytelling. A children’s book was my way of engaging both sides of me that needed attention. In the process, however, I also wanted to address certain topics for children. I noticed a real lack of diverse children’s book stories. I also noticed a lack of attention paid affirming sensitive people and the beauty of human emotion/empathy. I noted especially, however, that in those moments where emotional intelligence was the subject, men and boys were hardly ever a part of that discussion. This book is my attempt to reconcile my interests with gaps that I saw in literature and in societal teachings.

What are some of the themes you hope readers will pick up on?

For children, I want them to understand in this first book that our fears and our own insecurities are often the greatest roadblock to our greatness. I want children to see that it’s OK to be afraid, but there are times that call for us to be brave and to metaphorically ‘take a peek under the bed into the dark to find the monsters underneath.’ Based on feedback I’ve gotten from teachers and adults, it’s been a good reminder for them, too! For readers who are savvy to eastern spirituality, they will see that the main characters Amir and Neena are navigating the Chakra system. The chakras are spiritual points on the body that relate to certain states of being and particular emotions. The characters are charged with balancing them, and this first book deals with the ‘Root’ chakra — our center that deals with the ability to feel safe, unafraid and grounded.

Did you always think of the book as the first part in a seven-part series?

In my heart I knew that I had an epic story to tell and that it required all of the time and love it required to be told in its entirety. I don’t know of any other picture books for children that are designed as chapters in an ongoing saga, so the novelty of the idea is something that I knew would do well. At the end of this first book, I always get “WHEN IS CHAPTER 2 COMING OUT?!,” which is really like music to my ears.

What were some of the children’s books that influenced you in your life?

I’ve always been a fan of Dr. Seuss. I’ve loved the musicality of his works, and I’ve always admired rhythmic lyrics. Being that I sing as well, rhyme was important to me as a child and for this book. Beyond that I also loved the True Story of the Three Little Pigs. The story had SUCH a distinct voice. I could literally hear the Wolf’s voice in my head as I read it aloud. It was also a relatively dark story, which I enjoyed! It was unlike anything I’d ever read before in picture books, so it captured my imagination and my interest. Those books impacted me the most in terms of writing as I grew.

Davis also added some biographical information on how he got started in illustration and what inspired him to make the book.

I honestly fell into the art form. I always loved storytelling, and I always loved to draw. I preferred the drawing more, but I found that when I drew characters, they became real to me and needed a story. I had no idea that illustration was literally visual storytelling until my senior year of college. I got my first opportunity to illustrate a book cover for a professor by the name of Monica Ndounou. The cover was unanimously chosen by Rutgers University Press for her book The History of African American Film, and the rest is history! I then declared myself an illustrator and was hired for my first opportunity to do a children’s book with Sunne’s Gift by Ama Karikari Yawson. I still have much to learn, but I love learning!

Beyond my aforementioned reasons, [the book] was inspired unfortunately by the shooting murder of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. It shook me to my core. I felt that there wasn’t a world where Black boys and girls could be free to live without fear, and I wanted to create a haven where that was possible even if just in a picture book. I named the main character Amir in honor of this child. I also was heavily influenced by my spirituality, and I say all the time how this book was “divinely inspired.” The idea literally jumped into my head a month or two after Tamir’s death sitting with family at home, and I knew that this was the beginning of something life-changing for me but potentially very important for the world.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Carefree, Like Me! — Chapter 1: Root the Brave, by Rashad Malik Davis, is now available. Click here for more information.