Kelly Starling Lyons

Kelly Starling Lyons is an American writer and children's book author. She is also one of the founding members of the blog The Brown Bookshelf, which raises awareness of Black children's book creators and features author and illustrator spotlights.

Personal Lyons was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a high-school student, Lyons loved the works of Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison and Lorraine Hansberry and set a goal to be an author.

Lyons attended Syracuse University, where she earned a B.A. in African-American Studies, as well as her M.S. in Magazine Journalism. She has since worked for Ebony Magazine, The News & Observer, and the Syracuse Herald-Journal.

Awards and honors Three of Lyon's books are Junior Library Guild selections: Ellen's Broom (2012), Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon (2020), and Miles Lewis: King of the Ice (2022).

Selected texts Lyons has written more than a dozen books for children that focus on aspects of African-American history and culture, including: Hope's Gift, illustrated by Don Tate, celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Tea Cakes for Tosh was illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Ellen’s Broom, illustrated by Daniel Minter, was inspired by a document that the author saw while researching family history in Rockingham County, NC and Henry County, VA. Going Down Home with Daddy (2019), illustrated by Daniel Minter