1. Kadir Nelson Author-Illustrator

2. Who is Kadir? Kadir was born in his mother’s house in Washington DC. NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. He grew up with two sisters and a brother. Kadir LOVED drawing, especially comics and superheroes! Kadir went to Pratt University on scholarship. He played on the basketball team. Luckily, his friend convinced him to quit architecture and pick up illustration. Now Kadir lives in San Diego, California with his wife and three daughters.

3. Kadir is an author! He writes books about important African- Americans and how they changed our country. Kadir is an illustrator, too! In fact, Kadir illustrated many, many books before he ever became an author. NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. What does Kadir do?

4. How does Kadir work? Kadir is a painter. He uses oil paints to create his illustrations. He used to draw with a pencil before painting, but know he’s confident enough to paint without making a drawing first.

5. I don’t know….have you? Have I read any of Kadir’s books before? NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image.

6. NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. How do I know if I can trust this guy to tell the Truth? Just look at all the books he’s done that have won awards!!

7. What does Kadir WRITE/DRAW about? Kadir mainly draws and writes stories about African-Americans. He thinks it’s important for people to learn as much as they can about African- Americans and their role in our history. Kadir’s paintings are known for how much emotion each one shows. Kadir’s paintings have shown: Fear Happiness Loss Freedom Pain Hope

8. Where can I find out more about Kadir??!!?? You can visit Kadir’s website here.here You can also read his biography here.here Still want to know more? Well then, lets watch and listen to Kadir talk about how exactly art got to be so important to him! watch and listen

9. So what are WE going to do, Miss. B? We are going to read 6-7 of Kadir’s books! You are going to LOVE them! We will be researching, comparing and contrasting, using Padlet, writing poems, writing to Kadir, making movies on Animoto, and writing book reviews to be published to the internet! We are going to look at pictures like you’ve never looked at pictures before! We’re going to paint just like Kadir! But most importantly- we’re going to discuss, discuss, discuss!

10. Sources Something About the Author Literature Resource Center Reading Rockets NPR- All Things Considered Library of Congress California Readers website