The Marvelous Magic of Ellen E. Armstrong

A whimsical picture book about the first Black woman magician in the world to run her own show, perfect for Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

Ellen was born in a home of glitter and giggles. Her magician father, Professor J. Hartford Armstrong, filled it with disappearing framed photos, flying Black history facts, and his magic top hat. When young Ellen makes a wish that transforms into a crystal ball, she sees her future: telling jokes that make crowds erupt with laughter until she's finally old enough to take over her father's business, performing his tricks and making them her own.

With warm text by B. Sharise Moore and playful illustrations by Charis Jackson Barrios, The Marvelous Magic of Ellen E. Armstrong celebrates the power of girls who somehow know they’ll grow up to make their own history. Features illustrated backmatter with Ellen E. Armstrong’s full biography and favorite magic tricks!

B. Sharise Moore (she/her) is a proud mom, author, and the poetry editor for FIYAH: Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. She is the author of the picture book A City Dream and the YA novel Dr. Marvellus Djinn’s Odd Scholars, and she curated and edited Conjuring Worlds: An Afrofuturist Textbook for Middle and High School Students.

Charis Jackson Barrios, a.k.a. Charis JB (they/she), is a Black and Paraguayan artist raised and based in the American South, drawing from all corners of their multicultural upbringing. They graduated with a degree in fine art from the distinguished art school the Cooper Union in New York City. She has worked with several clients, including Google, The New Yorker, and Disney. Charis presently lives and works from their cozy mid-century home studio.

• Publisher: Kokila
  
• Publish Date: January 19, 2027
  
• Pages: 40
  
• Language: English
  
• Type: Hardcover
  
• EAN/UPC: 9798217112210
  
• Dimensions: 11.0 X 8.5 X 0.0 inches | 1.3 pounds
  
• BISAC Categories: Kids