Johnson, Angela (1961-…), is an American children’s author known for her picture books and novels on African American themes. Johnson’s picture books for young children portray warm and loving relationships within African American families and among friends. Her works for older readers explore sensitive topics, such as teenage pregnancy, divorce, the death of a brother or sister, and long-term illness. Johnson has been praised for storytelling that captures the feelings and experiences of all young people, not just African Americans.
Johnson became a full-time writer in 1989. She first gained attention for her picture books, beginning with Tell Me a Story, Mama (1989). Johnson’s books have won three Coretta Scott King Awards, Toning the Sweep (1993) in 1994, her first novel; Heaven (1998) in 1999; and The First Part Last (2003) in 2004. The Coretta Scott King Awards honor African American authors and illustrators. Johnson’s poetry has been published in The Other Side: Shorter Poems (1998). Her stories have been collected in Gone from Home: Short Takes (1998).
Johnson was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on June 18, 1961, and grew up in Windham, Ohio. She attended Kent State University but left to devote herself to writing before earning a degree. Johnson showed her early work to the noted children’s author Cynthia Rylant, who encouraged her to focus on children’s literature. At the time, Johnson worked for Rylant as a babysitter. Rylant took Johnson’s work to her publisher, starting Johnson’s literary career.
