TONYA DUNCAN ELLIS, CHILDREN’S AUTHOR
Writer of Diverse Children’s Books, Speaker, Diversity Advocate
Welcome to the Tonya Duncan Ellis official website! I am a writer of diverse children’s picture and chapter books. I’m so happy you’ve visited my page, and I hope you’ll stick around to learn about my work.
In May 2024, I released my first picture book, THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park (HarperCollins, Balzer+Bray). Told in the park’s voice, the story tells the history of Houston’s Emancipation Park, site of the first Juneteenth celebration.
My upcoming picture book, CUPCAKE CHEMISTRY, releases in March 2027 (Charlesbridge). Part of the STEAMWORKS series, CUPCAKE CHEMISTRY teaches children about science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) through engaging stories.
I’m releasing my debut middle grade novel-in-verse, KNOWLEDGE’S CROWN in 2028 (Peachtree Publishing). In this story, Knowledge, a sixth-grade competitive chess player, takes on the school board at his predominately white private school, after he’s forced to choose between cutting the locs hairstyle that connects him to his late father or playing the sport he loves.
My SOPHIE WASHINGTON chapter book series, geared toward kids ages 8 to 10, stars African American preteen Sophie Washington and her diverse group of friends. Throughout the thirteen entertaining books, characters learn about friendship, encounter bullies, manage social media and video games, navigate puppy love, and deal with other tween issues.
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Upcoming Release
Coming March 2027
Join Rihanna and Andre as a baking mishap turns into a fun lesson about chemistry, measurement, and precision—because STEAM is everywhere and for everyone!
Part of STEAMWORKS, a series of fiction picture books for ages 4–7 that relate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) to kids’ everyday lives.
Rihanna and Andre love helping their dad make barbecue sauce by adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Baking cupcakes to help Grandma Jean should be the same—right? But when their treats turn out misshapen and way too sweet, the siblings learn that while cooking is an art, baking is a science that requires precision.
Extend the learning beyond the story with expertly crafted back matter, including additional information about chemistry and measurement and fun STEAM activities.
STEAMWORKS features children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific and mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems and answer questions that matter to them. Playful stories and extension activities ignite excitement for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and empower children as thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.
STEAMWORKS picture books are also available in Spanish.
Interview on Great Day Houston KHOU
Praise for Tonya Duncan Ellis Books
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