Taylor, Debbie A.

Born: 1955

Ohio connection: Birth

Columbus

Debbie Taylor was born in Columbus, Ohio. She grew up in a large family and was educated in Columbus Public Schools. She graduated from Ohio Dominican College with a two-year degree, earned a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University and eventually received her M.A from Cleveland State University. Her short stories for children appear in literary magazines including CricketSpiderNew Moon and Pockets. The east side of Columbus provides the setting for many of her stories. Themes of her stories include the value of family and community. Her spirited heroes and heroines have found favor with nationwide audiences. Her first picture book, Sweet Music in Harlem, inspired by Art Kane’s famous 1958 photograph of jazz musicians was published by Lee and Low in 2004. The book, illustrated by award-winning artist Frank Morrison has earned accolades from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. Taylor and her husband, Charles L. Taylor III, live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Awards:
National Endowment for the Humanities Picturing America Bookshelf 2009-2010; Book of Outstanding Merit – Bank Street College of Education, Children’s Book Council (CCBC) Choices 2005; International Reading Association Notable Book 2005; Great Lakes Great Books Award Nominee 2006; Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2005; Louisiana Center for the Book Nominee 2006.