Detroit Illustrator Champions Diversity in Children’s Books with New Titles

DeAnn Wiley writes and draws pictures for kids' books. The 32-year-old, who lives in Detroit, spent Feb. 18 opening boxes of Hazel's Best Day by Adiba Nelson. Stores will sell it in March.

In the book, a young girl goes to a disability pride parade. Wiley illustrated the project. She drew characters that don't appear often in children's books.

"One of the things I try to do when I'm creating my art is think about who's missing," Wiley said according to ClickOnDetroit.

Wiley grew up in Detroit and loved making art but didn't think she could earn money from it. She went to school for psychology. She wanted to become a therapist before she started drawing for children's books.

Now she uses what she learned about psychology to help young readers understand hard topics.

Wiley was picked as one of several local artists for Stories of Us, a traveling installation that started in Detroit. This outdoor art show includes artists from cities across the country.

Wiley makes pictures with certain people in mind. "I create for my little sister," Wiley said. "I create for my mom, who is a dark-skinned Black woman who experienced a lot of colorism."

She hopes that people of all shapes, sizes, abilities, and skin tones can see themselves in what she draws.