A dusting of pollen on everything that holds still for three seconds or less …

Warmer temperatures …

Newly-emerged butterfly sightings ….

Yep, springtime has arrived in south Georgia.

Which brings to mind a question. Are your Easter duds lined up? Frilly dresses and sharp suits for little ones. Pastels and prints and seersucker for slightly older ones. And open-toed shoes or shiny loafers for adults.

I caught up with debut author Brentom Jackson recently and learned all about his precious, adorable book, Elijah’s Easter Suit. Here’s a brief blurb about the book, found on the jacket flap of my book that just arrived last week.

“On Easter, there are only two rules at the Third Avenue Church. #1. Show up! #2. Look Good!

Elijah is on a mission to find the perfect outfit for Easter Sunday. Failed attempts at his town’s stores leave Elijah crushed, but an important conversation with two community elders about tradition celebration, and clothing gives Elijah the courage to create his own Easter masterpiece: a patchwork of perfection that tells his story with style.

Families will enjoy following Elijah’s quest in this sweet yet important story about a young boy’s journey toward a deeper understanding of those who came before him.”

Join my chat with Brentom and learn more about the birth of his debut picture book. AND, you’ll hear how Elijah’s Easter Suit, made history, just by being born into the publishing world!

Hi, Brentom. I’m thrilled to learn more about your picture book. Tell us how the idea for your new book came about.
In 1941 Russell Lee, a photographer with the U.S. Farm Security Administration, took a photo of four Black American boys dressed in suits on the South Side of Chicago titled Sunday’s Best. One day while looking at that photo and thinking about my own experiences picking out clothes for church as a young boy, the idea for Elijah’s Easter Suit was born.

How long did it take for the book to come to life, from the initial idea to the launch day of the book?
My experience with this story was not typical for most writers. I conceived the idea, wrote the manuscript, and entered it in a pitch contest in February of 2022. It was acquired by an editor that same year and was published in January of 2024. It was a bit of a whirlwind experience, but it was worth the ride.

That does sound like a whirlwind experience! But how fun! So, tell us, what is your favorite part of the book?
My favorite part of the book is when the elders in Elijah’s community tell him about their experiences and the historical significance surrounding Black American church fashion. So many times, elders in my community, people like Deacon Brown and Mother Green, gave me a much-needed reality check. It felt great to honor them in this book.

I love the lesson YOU learned even before you wrote the book. What message do you hope children will take away from the reading of your book?
Learn to be a maker rather than a consumer.

Is this your debut book? How does it feel to add “author” to your resume?
Elijah’s Easter Suit was my debut book. I still have not quite adjusted to the title “author” to be honest. I still refer to myself as a writer and my bookish friends have to correct me. I have “authored” three books since my debut.

But, I am most proud that Elijah’s Easter Suit made history! It is the first traditionally published book by a Black American writer to feature a Black American main character on the subject of Easter. That’s one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.

What a historical moment in the publishing industry, Brentom. That’s fabulous!

Can you give us a hint about your next book?
My next book comes out in May of 2026. Jubilee Jumps for Joy is a joyful story about overcoming grief through the gospel music and celebratory culture within the Black American church experience. It is a jumping good time and a great read aloud for families and classrooms.

Well, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of that book, too. We’ll be sure to have you back on the blog to share that one later this year.

Tell us about your writing journey. When did you first know you wanted to be a children’s author? How long did it take to get your first book published?
I have been writing my whole life it seems. I started writing poetry during my teens and was a highly ranked slam poet and teaching artist during my twenties. But I did not start seriously writing for children until my son was born in 2020. Becoming a father made me think deeply about the kinds of stories I wanted my son and other children to grow up reading. I was published four years later.

What is the best part of writing for children?
The ability to pass down lessons, ideas, and hopefully inspire another generation.

Why is writing for children so important to you?
Providing children with as many stories as possible is what matters most. Me simply adding my stories to the mix only helps. We never know which story will spark the imagination of a child, so having as many stories out there as possible is important.

Your resume is quite impressive. Can you tell us how you manage to fit in all of the professional “hats” that you wear?
During the day I am a stay-at-home dad and homeschooler. In the evening I’m a psychotherapist. And I am a writer early in the morning, late at night, on weekends, and most holidays.

Tell us about your family.
My immediate family consists of my wife Sandra, the down-to-earth one, my six-year-old son Langston, the scientific one, and me, the creative one. Together we make a great team and have very interesting conversations.

Brentom, it’s been lovely chatting with you and finding out “behind the scenes” info on your writing life and on Elijah’s Easter Suit. Thank you for sharing a bit of your author life with us here at Christian Children’s Authors.

Post by Julie Lavender

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