Taye Diggs Talks to The B&N Kids Blog About His New Children’s Book, Mixed Me!
A gifted television and film actor (The Good Wife, Private Practice, How Stella Got Her Groove Back), Broadway superstar (Rent, Wicked), father to six-year-old Walker, and most recently, children’s book author, Taye Diggs is a man of many talents.
Mixed Me!
Hardcover $17.99
Mixed Me!
By
Taye Diggs
Illustrator
Shane W Evans
In Stock Online
Hardcover $17.99
Mixed Me! is Diggs’ latest book (following 2011’s charming and exuberant Chocolate Me!). The protagonist is an energetic boy named Mike, who has “super-crazy-fresh-cool” hair, like “WOW,” and zips and zags through a fast-paced story. Mike’s dad is a “deep brown,” his mom is “rich cream and honey” and Mike is “a blend of dark and light” that is “JUST RIGHT!”
A fun and sweet book about claiming your identity and being proud to be you, Mixed Me! is perfect for reading aloud with kids. Diggs has once again teamed up with his good friend, award-winning illustrator Shane W. Evans, whose many books include Shanna’s Ballerina Show and the Coretta Scott King Medal winner Underground. We got to learn a little about what inspired him to write the book and how to his son, he’s not a Hollywood heavyweight; he’s just dad.
Mixed Me! is such an empowering and positive book that I wish had existed when I was a kid. It’s refreshing to see such a confident and happy character like Mike! What inspired you to write it?
Mike is in many ways inspired by my son, Walker. Both Walker and Mike are mixed, but the similarities don’t stop there. Like Mike, Walker is naturally confident and has what they call joie de vivre. I am constantly inspired by him.
Mixed Me! is Diggs’ latest book (following 2011’s charming and exuberant Chocolate Me!). The protagonist is an energetic boy named Mike, who has “super-crazy-fresh-cool” hair, like “WOW,” and zips and zags through a fast-paced story. Mike’s dad is a “deep brown,” his mom is “rich cream and honey” and Mike is “a blend of dark and light” that is “JUST RIGHT!”
A fun and sweet book about claiming your identity and being proud to be you, Mixed Me! is perfect for reading aloud with kids. Diggs has once again teamed up with his good friend, award-winning illustrator Shane W. Evans, whose many books include Shanna’s Ballerina Show and the Coretta Scott King Medal winner Underground. We got to learn a little about what inspired him to write the book and how to his son, he’s not a Hollywood heavyweight; he’s just dad.
Mixed Me! is such an empowering and positive book that I wish had existed when I was a kid. It’s refreshing to see such a confident and happy character like Mike! What inspired you to write it?
Mike is in many ways inspired by my son, Walker. Both Walker and Mike are mixed, but the similarities don’t stop there. Like Mike, Walker is naturally confident and has what they call joie de vivre. I am constantly inspired by him.
Chocolate Me!
Paperback $7.99
Chocolate Me!
By
Taye Diggs
Illustrator
Shane W. Evans
In Stock Online
Paperback $7.99
This is your second book for kids, so I guess you enjoyed the process! What was the most fun part of writing for kids?
The most fun part actually comes after the writing is done—when I go to schools and other events where I see kids reading my books and seeing themselves in them. But as for the process, the most fun part is collaborating with my longtime friend, [illustrator] Shane W. Evans.
Do you read it with your son? What does he think about the books and having an author dad?
I do read it with Walker (when he’s not busy learning kung fu or how to dance like Michael Jackson). Unfortunately, I don’t know if he’s that impressed. To him, I’m just “Dad.”
I also loved the colorful illustrations! They’re a perfect compliment to the story. Can you tell us about them?
As I mentioned, the illustrations were done by my good friend, Shane W. Evans, who has illustrated dozens of award-winning picture books. In the world of kids books, he’s the celebrity. His ability to bring thoughts and ideas to life as images never ceases to amaze me.
Do you have any more books planned (hopefully!)?
Shane and I may have some ideas up our sleeves—you’ll have to wait and see!
Mixed Me! is on shelves now.
This is your second book for kids, so I guess you enjoyed the process! What was the most fun part of writing for kids?
The most fun part actually comes after the writing is done—when I go to schools and other events where I see kids reading my books and seeing themselves in them. But as for the process, the most fun part is collaborating with my longtime friend, [illustrator] Shane W. Evans.
Do you read it with your son? What does he think about the books and having an author dad?
I do read it with Walker (when he’s not busy learning kung fu or how to dance like Michael Jackson). Unfortunately, I don’t know if he’s that impressed. To him, I’m just “Dad.”
I also loved the colorful illustrations! They’re a perfect compliment to the story. Can you tell us about them?
As I mentioned, the illustrations were done by my good friend, Shane W. Evans, who has illustrated dozens of award-winning picture books. In the world of kids books, he’s the celebrity. His ability to bring thoughts and ideas to life as images never ceases to amaze me.
Do you have any more books planned (hopefully!)?
Shane and I may have some ideas up our sleeves—you’ll have to wait and see!
Mixed Me! is on shelves now.