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Shadra Strickland

@shadrieka

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Illustrator | Author | Professor
At your favorite bookstore:
Here Comes the Band
Gifts From Crows

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

🎺🥁 **Here Comes the Band!** 🥁🎺

In this conversation with @caroljenkinsmedia, award-winning illustrator and author, @shadrieka talks about the inspiration behind her new book, #HereComesTheBand 📖

#BlackAmerica #childrensbooks #blackchildrensbooks #BlackIllustrators

Watch full interview on @cuny.tv 📺
Monday - Thursday | 7:30pm
🔗 link in bio

🎥 @_made_by_cc
📷 @laurasfuchs
💄@rashadtaylormua by @shadrieka

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14 days ago

Cover reveal!!!

This beautiful and gentle story by Gideon Sterer tells the true story of a girl and the crows in her backyard. 🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

The book releases in August 2026. It was a treat bringing this story to life with Kate O’Sullivan and Chelsea Donaldson. Can’t wait to share more!

Now back to finishing my other bird book 😉

@clarionbooks
@gideo_
@painted.words
#kidlit
#crows
#friendship
#illustration by @shadrieka

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9 months ago

Spotted in the wild! This is so cool!! Thanks for sharing @avanidwivedii 💕 I won’t make it to NY for a while to see it in person so this brings me such joy! @mtaartsdesign @painted.words @su_vpa by @shadrieka

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8 months ago

Hey Lauraville! I’ll see you tomorrow morning at 10:30 at Snug Books! Hope to see you there! #bookevent #lauraville #kidsbooks #saturdaykids @snugbooksbmore by @shadrieka

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4 minutes ago

Happy Friday homies! If you have a moment, would you mind leaving a quick review of Here Comes the Band on Amazon or Goodreads (especially if you love it)?

Reviews help raise visibility of the book. Thank you!! by @shadrieka

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an hour ago

Grateful for my friends who say “yes” to all of my “come outside and help me do some book stuff” weekend shenanigans. Here’s an outtake to a forthcoming video that only took me about 6 takes to get right! Soon!!! #booklife #herecomestheband #kidlit by @shadrieka

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3 days ago

It's HBCU Homecoming season and have I got the book for you!

HERE COMES THE BAND by @shadrieka and John Holyfield.

#HbcuPride - 10/10! Available wherever books are sold.

#RattlerNation #famu @famu_1887 @charlotterattlers

#homecoming2026 #homecoming by @shadrieka

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3 days ago

I received a royalty check from my very first project, BIG OR LITTLE, written by Fonda Bell Miller and published in 2001. Four dollars isn’t much these days, BUT what a gift it is to look back on a career that began so humbly continue to bear fruit.

I have come a LONG way. Thank you to Lee and Low Books for hiring a fresh college graduate for this project. Big shout out to Jennifer Frantz Fox for building Bebop Books and for hiring me again to illustrate BIRD, the book that pushed me into the deep end of it all.

And thank you homies, teachers, librarians, and supporters for buying, reviewing, and sharing my work all these years. I am so grateful.

@leeandlow @jfrantzfox @painted.words #royaltycheck #leeandlow #bigorlittle #emergentreader #humblebeginnings by @shadrieka

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7 days ago

I love, love, love this trailer for HERE COMES THE BAND! Hopefully you all received your pre-ordered copies yesterday. I hope you love it!

Feel free to share your love in online reviews! Thank you all! #marchingbands #blackkidsbooks #hbcu #hbcukids #musicbooks by @shadrieka

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16 days ago

Here Comes The Band 🎺🥁🎷
Catch our next episode of Black America hosted by @caroljenkinsmedia with award winning illustrator and author, @shadrieka as she discusses her children's book, #HereComesTheBand that highlights all of the magic, joy and pride of being in an HBCU band.

Ways to Watch Black America:
🔗 click link in bio
📺 Watch on @cuny.tv | Monday- Thursday | 7:30pm
📱 Download the CUNY TV app
▶️ Subscribe to CUNY TV's YouTube page
🌐 visit our website

📷@laurasfuchs
💄@rashadtaylormua
💐@audraboltionortiz by @shadrieka

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16 days ago

I absolutely loved hearing Stephanie’s joy rise and rise when talking about HERE COMES THE BAND. Take a listen to the entire conversation over at @affinitolit #kidlit #herecomestheband #bookjoy #sharedexperiences #authorlife by @shadrieka

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11 days ago

My wonderful cousin @lanslensphotography created this wonderful video from our rainy morning launch The Ivy Bookshop! Signed copies are available! @theivybookshop #hbcu #herecomestheband #kidlit by @shadrieka

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17 days ago