Vashti Harrison is a celebrated writer, illustrator, and filmmaker. Winner of the 2024 Caldecott Medal for her picture book BIG, she is the first Black woman to ever receive this esteemed award in its 85-year history. A powerful and emotional tale of self-love and instant New York Times bestseller, BIG was also selected for Coretta Scott King Honors in both writing and illustration. Harrison is the creator of Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends, the #1 New York Times bestselling children’s collection of biographies about trailblazing women and exceptional men in black history.

Harrison’s artistic talent shines through in the numerous and notable collaborations she has illustrated, including Andrea Beaty’s I Love You Like Yellow, Matthew Cherry’s Hair Love, and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Hello, Star. Harrison’s dedication and talent have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Lupita Nyong’o’s Sulwe, as well as two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work for Children. She is frequently profiled by national media outlets and is a popular speaker at schools, libraries, conferences, museums, and book festivals as well as educator and parent organizations.