Dig if you will the picture books

Picture Book cover titled 'Walk the Walk' by R.J. Owens, illustrated by Reggie Brown, showing Papa and his grandson, Dexter, walking to piano lessons during the Montgomery Bus Boycott..

Dex and his granddad walk to piano lessons during the montgomery boycott

Just released April 14, 2026!

Walk The Walk, Bloomsbury

“highly recommended for purchase, and especially useful for units on the civil rights movement and civic engagement.”

—Starred review, School Library Journal

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Picture Book cover titled 'Cowgirl Dreaming' by R.J. Owens, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, showing a girl riding a pony in her first Black Cowboy Parade, in Oakland, California.

The day the cowgirl’s dreamed of is here - it’s her first Black cowboy parade!

coming may 5, 2026!

Cowgirl Dreaming, Abrams

“sensate prose, paired with colored pencil and digital collage . . . a sincere homage to cultural legacy and community strength.”

—Publishers Weekly

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Picture Book cover titled 'A Song So Black, So Proud!' by R.J. Owens, illustrated by Keisha Okafor, the story of an anthem of the civil rights movement, "Say It Loud-I'm Black and I'm Proud."

The story of an anthem of the civil rights movement - as told by the anthem itself, “Say it Loud - I’m black and i’m proud”

Available now!

A Song So Black, So Proud, Sleeping Bear

“A fun and informative examination of a pivotal song in Black history.”

—Kirkus Reviews

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Sunshine’s Coming Through

(cover to come soon)

Dru and his dad race against the clock to get their custom car ready to rock and roll for the biggest back-to-school parade in the usa

coming in 2027!

Sunshine’s Coming Through, Kokila

“The boom boom bam of a big bass drum is what the end of summer sounds like in Bronzeville. . . . Today is the Bud Billiken Parade.”

Sunshine’s Coming Through, Kokila

About r.j. owens

R.J. Owens, author of 'Walk the Walk' and author of 'Cowgirl Dreaming' and author of 'A Song So Black, So Proud' and author of 'Sunshine's Coming Through'

R.J. Owens is an author who's been engaged as a community storyteller with the Oakland Tribune, a retail advertising copywriter, and a legal writer. Walk the Walk is inspired by his interest in the civil rights movement and in portraying the resiliency and courage of children in trying situations. R.J. is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a long-time resident of Oakland, California. R.J.'s picture books include Cowgirl Dreaming, A Song So Black, So Proud!, and Sunshine's Coming Through. R.J. is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.