Early Sunday Morning (Denene Millner Books) - Hardcover

Denene Millner is a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning journalist, and contributing editor at Agate Publishing where she directs the Denene Millner Books imprint. She has penned 25 books, including Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, co-written with Steve Harvey; an upcoming memoir with actress Taraji P. Henson; and The Vow, the novel on which the hit Lifetime original movie, With This Ring” was based. She also is the founder of MyBrownBaby.com, a critically acclaimed blog that examines the intersection of parenting and race. Millner frequently contributes to Essence, Ebony, and Redbook, and has appeared on the Today Show, The Meredith Vieira Show, HLN, MSNBC, and NPR. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator whose passion for children's books began when she came across The Snowy Day by Ezra Jacks Keats as a child in the 1960s. The Snowy Day marked one of the first representations of a black children in picture books, and seeing a character who looked like her and lived in a neighborhood like her own was a turning point in Vanessa's life. She hopes to inspire young readers as Keats did for her. Vanessa has illustrated more than 30 books, and is the author and illustrator of Let Freedom Sing and Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table. Vanessa lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband of 22 years and their daughter Zoe and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes.

Praise for Early Sunday Morning:

“Millner sensitively reflects her heroine’s performance anxiety and warmly details the traditions of this churchgoing family . . . . Brantley-Newton’s glowing mixed-media images capture the love shared among the members of the girls’ family and the jubilant atmosphere of their church.” —Publishers Weekly

“This uplifting story celebrates courage and love. Brantley-Newton's energetic illustrations add a perfect visual complement in their affirming depiction of this tight-knit family. Moreover, children who love singing will find much with which to identify." —Booklist

“Features vibrant illustrations from Vanessa Brantley-Newton that show the warmth of Black family life. . . . If the first three tomes are any indication, Denene Millner Books will continue to highlight the best talent and reads for an audience who truly deserves both.” —Essence

“As entertaining as it is inspiring and very highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review

“If you are searching for an uplifting book about love and family to share with your child, I highly recommend Early Sunday Morning.” —The Parenting Patch

“It's definitely a charmer; in fact, once you’ve read ‘Early Sunday Morning’ once, you’ll be singing its praises, too.” —Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez

“We really enjoyed reading this adorable book! The thing I love the most is that it highlights a situation children (of all races) might encounter in their everyday lives. . . . The colorful, hand drawn pictures are so detailed and beautiful adding even more life to the story. . . . A beautiful story.” —Here Wee Read