COZBI A. CABRERA
COZBI A. CABRERA is a multimedia artist who has won multiple awards including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Robert F. Sibert Honor. Trained as an art director, this Parsons School of Design grad left her dream job creating music packaging in NY to make handmade collectible cloth dolls (Muñecas) in honor of her Honduran heritage. Her dolls were featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Martha Stewart Living, and Land Of Nod catalogue, among others, and are collected by Oprah, Mariska Hargitay, Maria Shriver, and Julie Belafonte.
Cozbi’s illustrated titles include: Beauty, Her Basket (Greenwillow Books), which Publishers Weekly called “a quiet treasure” in a starred review, Thanks A Million (Greenwillow Books), Stitchin’ and Pullin’ A Gees Bend Quilt (Random House), Most Loved in All the World (Houghton Mifflin) for which she won a Christopher Award, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks (Abrams Books) which was a Coretta Scott King and a Robert F. Sibert Honor book, and was also the Association of Library Service to Children Notable Book. Her book, Me and Mama is a Caldecott and Corretta Scott King Honor book.
Winner of the 2024 Prairie State Award for Excellence in Writing for Children
To learn more about Cozbi A. Cabrera, please visit her at Cozbi.com.
A Spark of Greatness: The Autobiography of a Fighter
Crown Books for Young Readers — September 8, 2026
The true story of how Laila Ali went from being the daughter of the beloved boxing champion Muhammad Ali to being an undefeated boxer herself, by nurturing the spark of something great inside her.
Are champions born or made? You might look at Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, and think she was born to be a boxer. But you'd be wrong about Laila.
Growing up, Laila adored her dad, but it wasn’t always easy to share him with the world. She had a quiet fire inside—strong, stubborn, and fierce—and sometimes it got her into trouble.
It wasn’t until she was a young woman that she learned women could box, too. That fire inside her finally had a home. Through hard work, focus, and heart, Laila learned how to channel her strength—and to believe in herself.
Written by Laila herself and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this beautiful true story of resilience and determination encourages every reader to find their own spark, trust their power, and let their inner confidence shine.
Coretta's Song: The Life of Coretta Scott King
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers — November 3, 2026
A powerful biography of the influential civil rights leader and multitalented musician Coretta Scott King, with illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Cozbi A. Cabrera.
Young Coretta Scott was a gifted musician, learning multiple instruments and breaking barriers to study music in college. Yet growing up in 1930s Alabama, she frequently felt the sting of racial injustice and even violence: when public school for Black children ended after sixth grade, when white neighbors burned down her father's house and lumber mill, and when Coretta was denied a student teaching job based on the color of her skin.
She met a minister named Martin Luther King, Jr., and the two were drawn together by a shared commitment to serving others and fighting against inequality. Alongside her husband, Coretta became an influential voice in the Civil Rights Movement, holding Freedom Concerts to spread awareness and raise funds, and carrying on a message of peace and nonviolent protest after Martin's assassination.
In this inspiring addition to the acclaimed Big Words series, award-winning author Doreen Rappaport masterfully blends narrative with Coretta’s own words to share her remarkable story. With powerful illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, Coretta’s Song is a superb portrait of a woman whose voice changed America, and the world, forever.
Praise for Coretta’s Song
“Caldecott Medalist Cabrera’s art is at its peak here: Every spread is packed with lush, evocative images with such an impressive variety of composition and color that readers will easily lose themselves.”—Kirkus starred review
BROWN GIRL, BROWN GIRL
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers — November 19, 2024
This powerful and hopeful picture book—inspired by the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris—celebrates brown and Black girls and is magnificently illustrated by a Caldecott Honor-winning artist.
Brown girl, brown girl, what did you see?
A world that sees my skin before it sees me.
Based on a viral poem by Blaxican poet and activist Leslé Honoré, and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this moving journey through the past, present, and future of brown and Black girls is a celebration of community, creativity, and joy—and offers a reminder of the history that inspires hope, and the hope that inspires activism.
Praise for Brown Girl, Brown Girl
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for Ages 3-5
A Southern Independent Booksellers Association for November/December 2024
"In scene after scene, striking painterly acrylics by Caldecott Honoree Cabrera picture brown girls of myriad hair textures and skin tones joining together to dance, play, and stand tall."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
“The illustrations intertwine softness and boldness with page after page of brown girls belonging, a visual togetherness that both honors and bridges individual and generational difference.... Warmly, brilliantly welcoming—and not to be missed."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“…vibrant, moving illustrations from Cabrera that celebrate Black and brown girls in moments of strength and joy. Images of young women of color sharing dreams and wins and building community provide an inspiring backdrop for this powerful rhyming poem.” —Booklist
“This gorgeously illustrated poem celebrating and elevating brown girls is a solid choice for picture book collections.” —School Library Journal
“Cabrera’s painterly acrylic illustrations match the text’s pride in its subject, featuring vibrant images of girls playing, laughing, and finding strength in community. One especially arresting image is a wall mural of influential Black and Brown women, including Amanda Gorman, Toni Morrison, Kamala Harris, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.” —By Horn Book
ME & MAMA
Denene Millner Books — August 25, 2020
Mama’s love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest of days. This celebration of a mother-daughter relationship is perfect for sharing with little ones!
On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is.
With lyrical prose and a tender touch, Me & Mama is an ode to the strength of the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together.
PRAISE FOR ME & MAMA
“A beautifully illustrated, slice-of-life ode of adoration for doting daughters and marvelous mamas.”—Kirkus
“The intimate, poetic text makes each moment feel authentic, and the painterly artwork balances poignancy and playfulness.” —New York Times
“A beautifully celebratory mirror of Black life and family. Gentle and soft, Me & Mama is a loving bedtime story or a soothing read-aloud.”—Shelf Awareness
“Cabrera’s striking acrylic visuals recall painters such as Jordan Casteel and Maira Kalman… an elegant testament to the love-filled bonds between child and parent.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Me & Mama is a picture book love letter that captures the extraordinary bond between a mother and daughter on a completely ordinary day.”—BookPage