Storytime with Chrystal D. Giles

Families, community supporters, and readers of all ages are invited to enjoy a special storytime with Chrystal D. Giles!

Join us for a storytime featuring author Chrystal D. Giles reading her latest picture book, We Are Joy! Kids and families are invited to help us celebrate the joy found in culture and community with a reading and themed activities.

Registration is free; attendees can pre-purchase a copy of We Are Joy with their registration. Copies of the featured book as well as Chrystal D. Giles' previous books will be for sale at the event.

While you're visiting, pick up a free copy of Punished for Dreaming by Dr. Bettina Love! You can learn more about our 2026 Book with Purpose selection and how the program unites the community in dialogue around a central topic from Bookmarks' Community Outreach Manager at the event.

Have any questions? Check out our Event FAQs page and email events@bookmarksnc.org for further inquiries.

About the Author

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature. She is the critcally acclaimed author of Take Back the Block and Not An Easy Win, which both received multiple accolades, best of lists, and starred reviews. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working on her next middle-grade novel.

About the Book

The #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Stacey's Extraordinary Words and the critically acclaimed author of Take Back the Block join together to create this heartwarming, empowering celebration of Black joy!

We are joy—showing off our moves and tick-tocking to the drumbeats
of our created culture—the culture that moves the world.

We are joy—full surrounded by laughter, and light
and love, and love, and love.

Shining with lyrical prose and gorgeously vibrant art, this delightful picture book read-together is an inspiring celebration of the beauty and strength of Black culture, Black community, and Black family. It's an empowering affirmation that joy—especially black joy, is all around us—in the people we love, in our commmunities, and in our hearts.