Charnelle Pinkney Barlow is an author, illustrator and an expert tea drinker. Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, she now lives in central Illinois. Growing up surrounded by a family of artists nurtured her love of art. She received her BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2010 and her MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts in New York, New York in 2012. Her debut children’s book Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan was nominated for Children’s Outstanding Literary Work at the 52nd NAACP Image Awards. Her first author/illustrated book Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar has received several starred reviews. Charnelle’s favorite places include the library, used bookstores, and the art supply store.
Awards / Honors
- 2024 Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Honor Award – Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar
- 2024 Starred Review, School Library Journal – Go, Wilma, Go!
- 2024 Bank Street Best of the Year – Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar
- 2024 Black Caucus ALA Best of the Best List 2023 – Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar
- 2023 Starred Review, Publishers Weekly- Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar
- 2023 ALSC Notable Book List – Everything in its Place
- 2022 Kirkus Best Picture Books of the Year – Everything in its Place
- 2022 ILA Notable Book- Born Ready
- 2022 KNEA Reading Circle Recommended List- Born Ready
- 2022 CCBC Choice- Born Ready
- Two Starred Reviews (Kirkus and Publishers Weekly) – Everything in its Place
- 2021 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work Nomination – Just Like a Mama
- 2021 African American Children’s Book Project Best Picture Books – Just Like a Mama
- 2021 CCBC Choice – Just Like A Mama
