Kelly Starling Lyons

Kelly Starling Lyons is an award-winning children’s book author, teaching artist, and advocate for diverse books. Her work centers Black heroes and celebrates family, friendship, and heritage, while encouraging children to recognize the stories they carry within them. Lyons has created more than 30 children’s books, spanning picture books, early readers, and chapter books for young audiences.

Her titles include the Ty’s Travels early-reader series, the Jada Jones and Miles Lewis chapter-book series, and picture books such as Tea Cakes for Tosh, Going Down Home with Daddy, Ellen’s Broom, and Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon. She has also contributed to anthologies, including We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, and written for the She Persisted series. Across her books, readers encounter themes of family bonds, cultural heritage, history, science, creativity, and community.

Through her website, Lyons shares information about her books, online activities, educational resources for readers and writers, and fun activities for children.