Today we are very excited to share an interview with Alana Tyson (My Red, White, and Blue)!
Read on to learn more about her, her book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Alana Tyson
Alana Tyson received her bachelor of science degree from Brooklyn College and her master of arts degree from the University of Maryland. After working in journalism for a short while, she began a career in national security and began to pursue a more creative path as a writer. A winner of the Lee & Low New Voices Award, she lives in Washington, DC, with her family. You can visit Alana online at booksbyalana.com or follow her on Twitter @alanatys and on Instagram @alanathewriter.
About the Book: My Red, White, and Blue
What does the American flag mean to you?
For some, it’s a vision of hope and opportunity. For others, it represents pain and loss. And for many, it’s more complicated than that—a symbol of a nation where the basic ideas of freedom and equality are still up for debate.
From slavery and segregation through Rosa Parks and Barack Obama, the history of Black people in America is a mixture of pride and pain. And while the flag might mean different things to different people, with some choosing to kneel and others to salute, ultimately, it is up to each of us to decide: the American flag is ours to see and relate to as we choose.
In this powerfully validating story that showcases many facets of Black American history through the eyes of a young Black boy in conversation with his grandfather, we are all invited to choose how to relate to America, and to the flag that means so many things to so many people.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
In the summer of 2016, I was shopping for fun, colorful gear for my son, who was 9yrs old at the time. Old Navy had a line of flag-inspired clothing in anticipation of July 4th. I saw a T-shirt with the American flag that I wanted, but when I reached for it, I hesitated and questioned if having my son wear the shirt would make him (or us, his parents) seem unsympathetic to the Black community, like traitors even. At the time, there were increased shootings of unarmed Black males and teens in cities across the US, and the NFL was under increased scrutiny due to Kaepernick and other players and celebrities kneeling and silently protesting. While I fully understood the perspective of those kneeling and protesting, I also felt there was a voice in that conversation that was not being heard – that of the Black person who salutes the flag in honor of our ancestors, veterans, and leaders who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. The fact that I felt conflicted about buying or wearing an American flag didn’t sit well with me, and I thought if I felt this way, how were children dealing with this conversation? So I sought to create a story that showed both sides, respectfully.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
My two favorites (sorry couldn’t pick just one) are: the overhead of the child and grandpa seated with a book, and the last scene where the child makes a decision after receiving his grandpa’s input. London Ladd is a masterful storyteller with illustrations and these two scenes showcase that. What I call ‘the together scene’ brings back memories of my father, and his interactions with me and my son (his grandson). Grandparents have this special way of teaching that’s often very personal, patient, and full of love, using whatever’s at their disposal; this scene captures that beautifully. The image makes me envision all the things we know are happening, but can’t see, like whispers, hugs, tickles, and giggles, in between lessons about life. The fact it’s from above lends credit to Ladd’s brilliance, as it creates this sense of privacy for them. The last scene I love because it captures the essence of the story; the child has made an informed decision that he proudly owns.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
Having two school-aged kids helps. I’m often gauging my boys about how they see the world, learning about what matters to them, and ensuring my stories reflect those interactions. I believe this adds authenticity to the voice, because it’s coming from a real place, from real children. Sometimes that’s me directly asking how they feel about X, and sometimes it’s me just observing. Picture books have always been a staple in our home, so it was a natural fit for me as a writer, but that also means having lots of great references at my fingertips. I have a diverse shelf – from classics, like Little Golden Books, to goofy fun like Mo Willems, and recent releases, like You So Black by Theresa Tha SONGBIRD. I’m relatively new to the kidlit space, hence I’m constantly learning, so grabbing a book from my shelf to see how various authors approach various topics is something that helps too.
YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?
I do have more books coming that I’m excited about, so thanks for asking. Readers can expect to find transparency, relatable topics, stories about people they’ve never heard of, new perspectives, and stories that speak to the goodness and sometimes imperfections of humanity. When readers pick up a Tyson book, I want them to say “Hmm, I never looked at it that way before.” I think there’s so much value in seeing something you’ve always seen one way, with a different set of glasses, and I want to be the one telling those kinds of stories. Teaching empathy at a young age is critical, especially given social media has created a hyper-critical society. Being able to step back and understand another person’s experience without judgment is a quality we want kids to aspire to. That said, I’m also bringing lots of fun, diversity, and seeing Black children in emotional spaces that readers aren’t used to seeing them occupy.
YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?
This question made me laugh out loud, only because I think I might be a little obsessed…it’s popcorn. I am a popcorn fanatic, I keep stacks of it in the house, and now I think my family is obsessed too, thanks to me. Popcorn is definitely my go-to, because it’s a relatively healthy and guilt-free snack that can sustain me for hours, which I often need when drafting and revising. Any brand will do, but butter or kettle flavors are my fave. Maybe one day I’ll create a story about that.
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
Absolutely! The main character in MY RED, WHITE, AND BLUE (MRWB) is nameless, and that was intentional. I wanted this child to represent every child, and I felt giving them a name would make that harder to achieve. But even without a name, it’s clear the main character is thoughtful, inquisitive, intellectual, kind, patient, reserved, and receptive. He reminds me a lot of myself as a child. In school, I always befriended the quiet kids, and through our friendship, learned they weren’t really quiet after all, they were just selective and really good at protecting their personal space. As an adult I still think I gravitate to those traits in people. Ladd’s ability to give a face to my main character is mind-blowing, given we never talked at all during the process. I just knew I appreciated Ladd’s personal backstory and as a result thought he’d be perfect at capturing the conflict in the text and the main character – he absolutely delivered and I’m so thankful the story resonated with him.
YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?
I work on other things, which is funny since most people’s idea of procrastination involves goofing off. I usually have so many other projects I’m juggling, that when I’m avoiding my writing (intentionally or otherwise), I’m just engaged in other equally productive things. As if writing books isn’t enough, I produce a YouTube channel (SnazzyTV®), am CEO/Founder of the Academy of Social Media Arts and Sciences (ASMAS®), a non-profit org that advocates for content creators, and I also host speed dating events to help busy professionals connect in the Washington, DC area. That’s a lot…so I don’t have much room to procrastinate. I do love vacationing, and am always up for a beach getaway.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I have signings, school visits, and more interviews planned. As we approach Black History Month I expect to be quite busy, since MY RED, WHITE, AND BLUE is so timely. My next picture book, DEVIN’S GIFT, is scheduled for release in summer 2025 also published by Philomel. It’s a departure from MRWB and shows my range as a writer. It’s a light-hearted, fun story about friendship, but still includes those fundamental elements of kindness and empathy. I’m looking forward to finalizing my New Voices Award book as well, THE LONGEST SWIM, which tells the story of the first Black US Navy SEAL, William Goines. The release for that one is pending. Overall, it’s going to be an incredibly busy year, but I feel like I’ve spent an eternity preparing for it, so I’m ready.
Title: My Red, White, and Blue
Author: Alana Tyson
Illustrator: London Ladd
Release Date: 1/17/2023
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers; Philomel
Genre: Juvenile Fiction; Picture Book
ISBN-13: 9780593525708
Age Range: 4-8 years
~ Giveaway Details ~
Three (3) winners will receive a copy of My Red, White, and Blue (Alana Tyson) ~US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
Nice
This book tells an story that is important to many of my students. I’m looking forward to reading it.
This looks like a good book for kids!
The cover is powerful and this book sounds important for all readers.