My name is Winsome Bingham and I am an author and literacy advocate for reading and authentic representation of children and communities in children’s literature. I am the author of one of The New York Times Best Books of the Year, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY, which is also the Connecticut Book Award winner and the Coretta Scott King Honored Illustrator award for C. G. Esperanza. I am a connoisseur of soul food and a master cook (at KidLit dinner parties, reunions, and get-togethers). I am a teacher by trade and a disabled military veteran by circumstance. I received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
My book, THE TABLE, co-written with Wiley Blevins, & illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Jason Griffin have already received three starred reviews; and is a Junior Library Guild Selection.
In September 2023, my second book was released entitled THE WALK illustrated by the amazing artistrator E. B. Lewis. THE WALK centers voting, community, and hope. It received multiple starred reviews including 🌟s from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, SLJ, and Booklist. It was a Junior Library Guild selection and was shortlisted for the Jane Addams Peace Award.
Her debut book, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY, was one of The New York Times Best Books of the Year, as well as the winner of the Connecticut Book Award. It made multiple Best Books of the Year list including Publishers Weekly and Bank Street College of Education. SOUL FOOD SUNDAY is about fun, food, and family.
My chapter book series, FORT GOODE, delve into the lives of friends who are children of military service members. The main and constant character is Lang Ford whose mother is a scientist and his father is an active duty Army soldier. They’ve just transferred to the fictional military post of Fort Goode (which Bingham says was inspired by Fort Monroe in Virginia.) There Lang meets Yang, Carlos, and George and the friends explored the post through adventurous play. This series is published by Reycraft Books.
Fall 2024, two more books written by her will hit the bookstores. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Molly Mendoza; and MISSING MOMMA, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell.
I am a soul food connoisseur, master cook, a US Army war veteran. I received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, technology, and writing. Specifically, an MFA in Writing For Children and Young Adults! I have more than 15 years of teaching experience. I’m an advocate for literacy and great books and stories.
You can find me cooking up soul food on Sundays or taking THE WALK to the polls with friends and family. I will tell you that I live on a fictional army post called FORT GOODE where you are always WELCOME.