Yolanda T. Marshall is an award-winning Guyanese-born Canadian author of diverse, inclusive, festive children's literature. She ventured into the world of publishing in 2008 and received a multi-book deal in 2019. Yolanda is currently a traditionally published and agented author of seventeen books, including A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, Miles Away In The Caribbean, Sweet Sorrel Stand, C is for Carnival, Hot Cross Buns for Everyone and one of CBC’s best Canadian picture books of 2020 and TD’s Top Recommended Reads for 2023 - My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans. Yolanda is a columnist/editor for Canada's Caribbean Camera printed newspaper “Lit Corner,” where she promotes the books of other marginalized, Canadian authors. She reads for over 25,000 students annually, in Canada and New York. Yolanda appeared in numerous Television interviews, magazines, news articles, and major literary festivals. She is a recipient of the Caribbean media Loop Awards: Author of the Year 2022, CBC's 2020 Best Canadian Picture Book List, CIBWE Top 100 Black Women To Watch 2017, and one of Canada’s 100 Accomplished Black Women in 2022. Yolanda is a Membership Chair on the CANSCAIP Board (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers), a professional member of The Writer's Union of Canada and a PAL member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators).
After the 2016 release of her first children's book, "Keman's First Carnival," celebrating the joy, flags, music and foods of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Marshall has been gifting her readers with children's books to last a lifetime!
“A Piece of Black Cake for Santa” was originally published in 2017 and is the Author’s second Children’s book. A new edition, illustrated by a South African Illustrator, Subi Bosa, was published in 2019. In 2021, this title was adopted by Chalkboard Publishing. This book demonstrates the holiday experience of Femi and her friends, who planned to leave a few traditional Caribbean treats out for Santa, including Black Cake. The children share warm wishes for their favourite dishes while enjoying winter activities at the Christmas fair.
Miss Marshall’s 2018 release is “Sweet Sorrel Stand.” Rose and Nicolas loved their favourite Caribbean sorrel drink in this children's book. The siblings decided to create a sorrel stand with the assistance of their parents. Their Sweet Sorrel Stand was a success in the neighbourhood. The drink's main ingredient is the Roselle plant (Sorrel), a hibiscus native to West Africa. The red flower buds are boiled, strained, and sweetened with sugar, with a touch of ginger, cinnamon, orange peel and cloves. Once cooled for a couple of hours or overnight, it is served with ice. It is known to be very rich in antioxidants. Traditionally, this drink is served during the Christmas holidays. On a hot summer day, it is a refreshing alternative to lemonade.
In June 2019, the Author launched "Miles Away In The Caribbean." This children's book is a poetically written story about a Canadian boy named Miles. In his magical spaceship, he visits Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. Miles highlights magnificent landmarks and enjoys his cultural adventures.
One of CBC's best picture books of 2020 is "My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans." As Anne’s birthday drew close, her friends prepared a soca party. Anne loves the sound of Caribbean soca music played on steel pans and West Africa’s spicy jollof rice. Hence, her friends planned to celebrate her special day with a fusion of sounds and traditional dishes from Caribbean and African countries — representing their diverse yet comparable cultures. Anne was in for a real surprise.
The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books.
"C is for Carnival" was published on August 1st 2021, by Chalkboard Publishing. D is for dance! E is for emancipation! From A to Z, this is a rhyming alphabet book that celebrates Canada's Caribbean Carnival. This engaging and educational book features a diverse cast of children in vibrant costumes as they 'play mas' while dancing to Soca and Calypso music. A glossary at the end makes it easy for readers, including parents and teachers, to review what they have learned. In 2023, the US and UK versions of these picture books were released.
"Hot Cross Buns For Everyone" is an inclusive 2022 Easter release. Jackson’s friends and their families bake assorted hot cross buns for his Easter party. Liam’s foster parents use his most memorable Scottish ingredient, and Dimitri’s dad adds Greek mahlepi spice. Some have rainbow colours for all to see and a sweet Jamaican bun and cheese recipe! One by one, the children arrive with hot cross buns for everyone. The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books.
"Christmas Elves Being Themselves" is a festive story about elves being their unique and merriest selves: these elves ‘ confidence will encourage readers to celebrate our differences. A curious elf prefers to learn about how families celebrate Christmas worldwide. The busy elf decides to enjoy a beach vacation, while an adventurous elf takes a jolly ride down the chimney. One likes veggies more than cookies. Santa loves them all the same, even when they play naughty pranks. The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books. Like many of her other books, this picture book is beautifully illustrated by Daria Lavrova.
"What's In The Cookie Tin?" is a humorous picture book that follows Olivia and Benjamin on their quest to eat what's inside the cookie tin. The siblings' experience at their grandparent's home, sheds light on a multicultural phenomenon involving the cookie tins found in many homes worldwide. What do you think is in the cookie tin? The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books. and it is beautifully illustrated by Golnoush Moini. The pub date is Sept. 8th 2024.
"My Kwanzaa Wish" is a children's book that celebrates the core principles of the holiday with warmth, positivity, and upliftment. This poetically written book includes educational information about Kwanzaa and a delicious fruit drink recipe. The publisher of this title is Chalkboard Publishing, D.E.A.R. Books. and it is beautifully illustrated by Jamie Ellis Pasquale. The pub date is Oct. 8th 2024.
Yolanda T. Marshall is also the author of multiple educational, cultural, diverse and inclusive early readers books by Chalkboard's D.E.A.R. Books Little Readers
A world traveller, a jazz lover and a devoted Mother, she embodies Art and takes her readers on adventurous, cultured journeys.
This author is Agented.
