Gail Piernas-Davenport is the author of Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas (Albert Whitman & Company, 2007). The multicultural book is a hit with readers young and old. Shanté Keys is about New Year’s food traditions—the things people eat for good luck. African American Shanté goes to find black-eyed peas for New Year’s dinner and in the process discovers the customs and foods of the Chinese, Scottish, Mexican, and Hindu neighbors.

Gail developed a free activity guide for the book that is organized to coincide with the Illinois Learning Standards. She has also adapted the book to a Reader’s Theater script. The guide and script are available for download on her website.

Gail is currently at work on more picture books and a middle grade novel. Please check her website for news of upcoming titles.

REVIEWS FOR SHANTÉ KEYS:

"In rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, this upbeat story celebrates family, community, and multiculturalism, highlighting an African American family's New Year's food traditions, including 'lucky' black-eyed peas."
--Booklist

"Their joyful picture book celebrates family, community, and diversity."
--The Children’s Literature Blog Chicken Spaghetti

“ . . .a fun and informative story about what and how people eat all over the world.  And when you’ve finished reading, take your kids to the kitchen and cook up some of Grandma Louise’s delicious Hoppin’ John, recipe included."
--PaperTigers.org, A Pacific Rim Voices Project

Gail holds a degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois and has a graduate certificate in historic preservation from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

She is available for school visits, author readings, and writers’ workshops.

Gail resides in Chicago’s southern suburbs with her family.
 

Contact Information:

Email: gail@gpdavenport.com
Website: http://www.gpdavenport.com