Nikki Grimes
@poetnikki
Poet, novelist, general word-nerd, gardener, photographer, foodie, film lover. My favorite people on the planet are children, which is why I write for them. Oh! And I'm a freak for roses, watercolor, and collage. Author of Ordinary Hazards, a memoir.
SLJ Star!!! ⭐️⭐️ "Renowned author Nikki Grimes and debut picture book writer Stacy Wells (Choctaw) lend their resonant voices to award-winning artist E. B. Lewis’s (Lenni Lenape) rich watercolors in this story of a Black Choctaw boy who finds strength in the example and history of his ancestors..."
Yes, it's me X three! I'm being my usual overachieving self, appearing on three panels. It's my first time at the Columbus Book Festival, so I wanted to make the most of it! Hope to see you there. (You've got three chances to say yes!)
I've got banned books, health issues, an old house that keeps its hands in my pocket, & am still reeling from the loss of a friend. But I'm giddy! 7 of my books (these four included) are in the Obama Presidential Center Library!Thanks Edith Campbell for giving me the heads up. Grinning like crazy!
I haven't made my way there yet, but one of my books certainly has! Guess what gift shop this is in, on full display, no less?
Signing a new book contract always causes my heart to go pitter patter, especially when it took so long to get here. So, Yay! This even somewhat diminishes the FOMO I’ve been feeling about missing out on ALA this year– if only a little. So, I’ll take it! Have a great day because I certainly am.
It's been awhile. Time to visit another presidential museum. Hmm. Which one might that be?
I woke to some lovely news today: Twice Blessed was nomnationed for the L.A. Times Book Prize! The finalists will be announced in February, and the winners in each category will be revealed at the next L.A. Times Book Festival in April! It's a long time to be in suspense, but I'll manage it.
Rhode Island's summer reading kickoff is almost here! Honored to have A Cup of Quiet selected as this year's picture book by RI's Center for the Book. Having my award-winning good friend and cheerleader-in-chief Padma Venkatrama on hand won't hurt, either! Hoping to see old friends & new fans, too.
@manonatelier.blacksky.app you will, no doubt, appreciate the details! I could look at this for a long, long time without getting bored. I probably shot a dozen photos of this unique piece of art-chitecture. (You see what I did there.)
Aside from seeing the sights, E.B. and I were hosted by the American Library of Paris for an evening event. Librarian Celeste Rhodes invited us back whenever we're in Paris. We plan to take her up on that!
Bonjour! Just back from Paris where I visited the amazing flagship store of Louis Vuitton, drooled over the partially restored Notre Dam, and stood beneath the Eiffel Tower, and so much more! Today is the first time in a week that my breakfast did not include chocolate croissants. Feeling bereft.
I'm partial to the Psalms, no surprise. They're poetry! Have you ever read a story built on the architecture of a Psalm's exact words? The Watcher is a Golden Shovel story spun from the words of Psalm 121, about a bully, the boy she torments, and the unexpected friendship that transforms them both.
Closing out a week of library-love with a poem from my novel Jazmin's Notebook (I'll always find a way to work a poem or two, or ten, into a work of prose!) #nationallibraryweek #nationalpoetrymonth
No one protects our freedom to read like our librarians! They show us the way. Here's a poem from This is Not a Small Voice, an anthology by Traci N. Todd. #nationallibraryweek
I love me some libraries! The library was always my sanctuary, my safe space, my second home. Today, the library is sanctuary to the books I write, the stories I tell! Ever and always, my safe space. This is from Jumping Off Library Shelves, an anthology by Lee Bennett Hopkins. #nationallibraryweek
Co-author Stacy Wells and I had a great time on the Children's Stage at the LA Times Festival of Books sharing Stronger Than. We met kindred spirits like Danielle (at the Harper's booth) a lovely member of the Yakama Nation in Washington! Before heading home, Stacy joined me for church. Good times!
LA Times Festival of Books, here we come! Looking forward to sharing Stronger Than on the Children's Stage tomorrow, followed by a book signing. Drop by for a Hello and photo or two! And don't forget to pick up a signed copy, while you're at it. Stacy and I would love to see you.
Happy Book Birthday to me! Love sending another Dyamonde Daniel story out into the world.
Coming in six more days! The colors are popping, and so is the story. Dyamonde Daniel is forced to confront an old fear. It's simple, though traumatic. She had a bad accident on her bicycle and is now afraid to ride one. How will she be able to overcome it? Getting to the other side is a wild ride.
Last bloom for awhile. Finally pruned my roses. Guess the honeymoon is over as I didn’t worn them or make nice, or whisper "this hurts me more than it hurts you." I just marched into the garden, blade in hand and started whacking. Soon there'll be new buds & the roses will speak to me again—I hope!
PRECIOUS With exquisite care, I swab my cobalt treasures one, by one, by one. An hour gone forever. Call it the price of beauty. Copyright 2026 by Nikki Grimes Celebrate National Poetry Month!
One week away! Doing my vocal exercises to get ready for a night of poetry reading. Can’t wait!
Back from TLA Houston! Super audience for the POWER OF STORY panel with Jasmine Warga, Avi, Tracey Baptiste, Linda Sue Park and Moi. Goofed around with Amir Shah, debut author Rebecca Bendheim, and, of course, my nutty co-author, Stacy Wells. Loved signing our book, Stronger Than, for the TLA crowd!
My favorite photographs from Tanzania where I lived there for a year, a handy experience today. Thanks to a busted pipe and leak, all my pipes are being replaced. Good thing Tanzania taught me to stretch and recycle stored water when there's precious little of it. Friends, take nothing for granted.
It won’t be long! Counting down the days to the release! And then what? A poetry reading and party, of course!
Stopped believing in retirement when grandma, who'd retired & went back to work twice, said she was retiring a third time. I just gave her the side-eye. At 75, thought sure I’d be slowing down. Instead I'm on a roll! Guess it’s not over 'til it’s over, so I’ll quit planning my “slow-down!" You?