Crystal Swain-Bates

I’ve been quiet for the past few weeks and it’s because I’m on an international book tour ✈️! I’m hopping from continent to continent with Paris 🇫🇷 , Cairo 🐪 , and West Africa 🇬🇭 🇨🇮 on the list of amazing places I’m taking my children’s books. I’ll be back just in time to teach two book publishing sessions at the @naturalhairshow in Atlanta 🎉 Pictures and stories to come... #fulltimeauthor (at Accra, Ghana) https://www.instagram.com/cswainbates/p/BwH_MgglHFh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=36w02rw672zj

🥰 If only y’all knew how many times I have watched this video 🤣! It makes my heart smile every time! Another happy reader ❤️ #Repost @omg_and_mommy ・・・ Thank you for the wonderful book!!! @catie162 @thebrowngirlsclub @cswainbates #bighairdontcare #curlyhair #curlyhaircare #haircare #cute #beautiful #natural #daughter #love #liv #olivia #omg #family #naturalhair https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt0qUeRlNSU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b3rnhp1cu2o2

How amazing is this?! 😍 I love seeing my book “Big Hair, Don’t Care” used for these fabulous Black History Month doors! This year they focused on famous African-American women and I’m humbled to have been included. 😍 #Repost @theblackasianbarbie ・・・ I did that!!! #readacrossamerica #blackhistorymonth #elementaryteacher https://www.instagram.com/p/Bttb87BlUCV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e93ystwj82h8

This afro puff pumpkin deserves ALL the reposts! I seriously 💜 my readers, their creativity is everything. Thanks @dani_dunno for creating this black girl magic pumpkin inspired by my book! Happy Halloween! 🎃 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpm_x3_F2TQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19yndr6xn2kd4

How adorable is this pregnancy announcement?! 😍 Y’all are getting soooo creative with my books and I LOVE it ♥️! Only 6 more months until Royalty becomes a big sister!! ・・・ #Repost @royaltyjacq ・・・ I’m using my BIG SISTER recipe 👩🏾‍🍳 to help my parents cook up my little brother/sister ☺️ Mommy says she has a #bunintheoven and Daddy says it will be ready #April2019 😊 Aprons custom made by @only1fab_tab 😘 #frobabies #bourgiebabies #bourgiemoms #pregnancyannouncement #bigsister #pregnancy #babyannouncement #babyannouncementideas #crystalswainbates #imabigsister #blackbabies #representationmatters https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXVihoFXLi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t1ydcqkggpdj

Pictures like this are truly the equivalent of fan mail to me 😍✉️ ! ••••• Reading together helps build parent-child bonds and nights spent cuddled up in bed, reading with her mommy, will never be forgotten by little Penelope! Thanks Erica for sharing a little peek into your world and your love for my book Big Hair, Don’t Care! ••••• Who else reads in bed? #naturalhairkids #frobabies #writersofcolor #diversekidslit #diversebooks #kidlit #representationmatters #blackchildrensbooks #raisingreaders #Repost @ericadanielleeason ・・・ Penelope making up the words to these books has me cracking up. 😂😂 • I like reading books to Penelope about self acceptance and about mother daughter relationships. Penelope is #biracial and it’s important to me for her to connect with that part of her. •📚 #bighairdontcare #Ilikemyself #childrensbooks #unitedinmotherhood #clickinmoms #motherhoodinspired #raleighinfluencers #durham #cary #singlemomdiaries #singlemom #mybedroom #kidgoals #kidsofinstagram #mynameismama #momlife #momsofinsta #raleighnc #motherhoodunplugged #childhoodunplugged https://www.instagram.com/p/BpU_5M5lKSA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k6m92yeqemjq

This video literally sums up why I do what I do... As an author, you want your work to be meaningful, impactful, and inspiring. This video and ALL of the pics I get from my readers are proof of that! These young ladies at Shark River Elementary School and @ms_aus (the amazing librarian who set all of this up!) are spreading the word that they love their hair and take pride in their appearance, just the way they naturally are. All inspired by my book Big Hair, Don’t Care! . . . . . . #bighairdontcare #naturalhair #librariansofinstagram #raisingreaders #diversereads #naturalhairkids #frobabies #writersofcolor #diversekidslit #diversebooks #kidlit #yeskidsbookstagram #browngirlbloggers #booksforbrowngirls #raiseareader #browngirlsread #literacy #teachersfollowteachers #literacyday #teachersofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #weneeddiversebooks #weneedblackbooks #blackchildrensbooks #blackchildrensauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSaacmFrcC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jhis54vdoq4q

I only realize how long my name is when it's time to autograph books!! #crystalswainbates #iwriteblackbooks #wnhs #wnhs17 #bighairdontcare #blackbooks #thebrowngirlsclub

This adorable family came to my book signing at the Listening Tree Bookstore in Atlanta and their sweet little girl was so excited to hear me read "Big Hair, Don't Care". The best part was when I saw her dad mouthing the words from memory as I read them. When a parent knows my book by heart, it's a pretty clear indicator that the book is a family favorite! #weneeddiversebooks #blackkidsread #blackauthors #blackbooks #blackbooksmatter #bighairdontcare #crystalswainbates #goldestkarat #blacklove #buyblack #naturallyme #naturalhair

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