Books, Books, and More Books!

Karen Love

“My love of books was instilled in me by my parents. My mother would take my brother and me to the library, and I remember snuggling close to her as she read the books that I chose.  My father, also an avid reader and consummate educator, enjoyed reading stories and articles aloud to the family. I enjoyed hearing his melodious voice as he enacted the characters in his book selections.

When I became a teacher, it was very important for me to share some of these rich experiences with my students. I began to collect children’s books with positive depictions of people of color to counteract the negative images seen daily on the news and in newspapers. While I loved reading a variety of books, my passion became building a collection of books by African American authors and illustrators. Each new book led me to explore other books written or illustrated by that person. The number of authors and illustrators has greatly increased in recent years, and I am thrilled to collect books and work with my organizations to read and give away books to children. The joy of reading and sharing books is everlasting for me!”

Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists.