Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Baptiste Paul is a Caribbean-born author of eight books for children. His debut picture book, The Field, received starred reviews from Kirkus, The Horn Book, and Booklist. According to Kirkus, his co-authored book, Adventures To School, “will pique readers’ curiosity.” His picture book biography, I Am Farmer, chronicles the work of Cameroonian environmentalist Tantoh Nforba. Born and raised on the island of Saint Lucia, Baptiste is a native Creole/Patois speaker who enjoys reading his books and sharing his experiences with anyone who will listen. Baptiste holds Bachelor degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Bucknell University and an Associates degree in Behavioral Science from the Community College of Philadelphia. Two of his greatest accomplishments are (1) being the first in his family to graduate from a university in the US and (2) being the first author from his village. Baptiste is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), where he attends conferences regularly and takes classes from professional writers within the writing community.

Learn more about Baptiste at baptistepaul.net.

Artist Statement

Rhythm, rhyme, lines with beats, and short punchy text are ways in which music and storytelling have filled my life since I was young. By continuing to find ways to make my spare words flow with similar vibes, I honor the traditions of my heritage and offer pieces of my culture filtered through my own tastes and experiences to a new generation. I hope my readers celebrate the feeling of my words as much as the content within my books.

My body of work is designed to move the reader in many ways. Some of my work will get readers to take action and solve problems within their communities. A perfect example happened while I was on tour for my book, I Am Farmer. An entire school district in upstate NY raised funds for the construction of wells in Cameroon, Africa. Other works will open the readers’ minds through exposure to different cultures, languages, and experiences.

“If I die today
wrap me in a blanket of words
fill my grave with rhyme and rhythm and beats
and when that music stops keep yours going.”

—Baptiste Paul