Press Kit
Official Bio
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, M.Ed, is a Philadelphia-based, critically-acclaimed children’s book author. A former English teacher, she educated children and teens in traditional and alternative learning settings for more than 15 years. As an inaugural fellow with the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative (MuslimARC), she also developed foundational curricular frameworks for youth and adult anti-racist programming and this work continues to influence her writing. Her picture books and middle grade fiction, which feature young Black and Muslim protagonists, have been recognized as the best in children’s literature by Time, Ebony, and NPR, and she is a 2021 Irma Black Award Honor author. A former teacher and forever educator at heart, she is probably most proud that her books are NEA Read Across America books and included in the standardized curriculums of major school districts throughout North America. In addition to producing children’s literature, she invests her time in the mentorship of aspiring children’s book authors through multiple programs including We Need Diverse Books and the Muslim Storytellers Fellowship of the Highlights Foundation where she is also a program committee member.
Short Bio
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow is a Philadelphia-based educator, mentor, and children’s book author whose work centers Black and Muslim protagonists. Her critically acclaimed and educator-recommended picture books and middle grade fiction have been recognized as the best in children’s literature by many, including Time Magazine, Read Across America, and NPR, and she is an Irma Black Award silver medalist.
Author Photos
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Book Covers
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