Shauntay Grant is a poet, playwright, interdisciplinary artist, and children’s author who lives and works in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia). A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, she “creates artworks that are engaging and accessible, but also challenging, rigorous, and informed by deep research” (Royal Society of Canada). Her play The Bridge (Playwrights Canada Press) premiered at Neptune Theatre’s Fountain Hall, a co-production between 2b theatre company and Neptune in association with Obsidian Theatre Company. Set in a rural Black Nova Scotian community, this multilayered story of a family torn apart by betrayal received eleven Robert Merritt Award nominations, winning four, including for Outstanding New Play by a Nova Scotian. Grant’s first stage play Steal Away Home won the Jury Award for Outstanding Drama at the Atlantic Fringe Festival. Her other plays include KK (Boca Del Lupo, Red Phone project), Passing (Eastern Front Theatre, Micro Digitals project), and the ten-minute monodrama Beyere (Obsidian Theatre Company, 21 Black Futures project). An associate professor of creative writing at Dalhousie University, Grant holds professional degrees in creative writing, music, and journalism. Her theatrical work for young audiences has toured with Neptune Theatre’s Tour Company, and she has been commissioned by Against the Grain Theatre to write the text/poetry for Identity: A Song Cycle. She is the editor of the anthology From the Ashes: Six Solo Plays (Playwrights Canada Press) which collects groundbreaking solo plays by Black Canadian women and womxn. Her first solo stage play is in development with 2b theatre company. Grant is the author of several books for children including My Fade Is Fresh (Penguin), When I Wrap My Hair (HarperCollins), and Africville (Groundwood), which won a Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award. Her other honours include an Established Artist Recognition Award from Arts Nova Scotia, a Poet of Honour prize from Spoken Word Canada, a Joseph S. Stauffer prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, and Arts Nova Scotia’s inaugural Black Artist Recognition Award.

Shauntay Grant's profile page

Kitt Thomas' profile page

Praise for MY FADE IS FRESH By Shauntay Grant:

★ "A winner-takes-all glimpse of one of childhoods major milestones, taking agency over fashion choices, personality, and style." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "The call and response detailing myriad creative Black hairstyles is both ahumorous romp and a glorious celebration of Black beauty. This fun, powerful, and empowering tale belongs on every shelf." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Pays tribute to the beautiful versatility of Black hair while emphasizing the importance of a kid staying true to themself. An affirming, communal take on a routine barbershop visit, starring a cool, collected child who knows their mind." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review

★ "Thomas’ illustrations are as fresh as the girl’s new look, pulling in vibrant colors and a graffiti-mural style…[T]his book is perfect for kids learning about self-expression, confidence, and decision-making, and the energetic illustrations and humorous story line provide a great reading experience for any child, whether they are familiar with barbershops or not.” —Booklist, starred review"

"The “be yourself” message is a perennial favorite of picture books, but this one brings a lively freshness with its joyful cast and exuberant celebration of Black hair. The bouncing rhyme makes it an ideal storytime selection. The dynamic illustrations effortlessly match the text’s energy...his sweet ode to both Black hair and individual choice is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser." —BCCB Reviews
“Representation matters, and this book is a reflection of all of us who say YES to ourselves even when people try to steer us different.” —Luvvie Ajayi Jones, New York Times best-selling author of Professional Troublemaker
“Shauntay rocks the FRESH verse!” —Derrick Barnes, author of Crown: An Ode To The Fresh Cut