Short Bio:
Charlotte Sullivan Wild is the author of several picture books. Love, Violet, illustrated by Charlene Chua, is a Stonewall Book Award winner, Charlotte Huck Honor Book, Lambda Literary Award Finalist (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2022). Love, Violet was named in the U.S. Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor. The Amazing Idea of You, illustrated by Mary Lundquist, is a lyrical celebration of the potential in all living things (Bloomsbury, 2019). Before becoming chronically ill with ME/CFS and POTS, she worked as an educator, bookseller, volunteer radio host, and creator of children’s literature events. Originally from frosty Minnesota, she now lives wherever her wife is stationed, recently in Texas, Italy (with chickens!); and Colorado (with pups!). She is represented by Analía Cabello at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. Learn more: www.charlotteswild.com
Long Bio:
Charlotte Sullivan Wild is the author of several picture books. Love, Violet, illustrated by Charlene Chua, is a Stonewall Book Award winner, Charlotte Huck Honor Book, Lambda Literary Award Finalist, and Bookstagang’s Best of 2022 winner for Future Classics and Community Favorites (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2022). Love, Violet was named in the U.S. Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor. The Amazing Idea of You, illustrated by Mary Lundquist, is a lyrical celebration of the potential in every living thing, especially in every child (Bloomsbury, 2019).
She has received grants for her work in children’s literature from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Minnesota State Arts Board, Metro Regional Arts Council, and The Jerome Foundation, as well as a 2012 Loft Shabo Picture book Award and a Pushcart nomination. Her poetry and essays for adults have been published or honored by Fourth Genre, Rockford Review, Freshwater, Front Range Review, The Minneapolis StarTribune, and others.
She has served as the Regional Advisor for the Southwest Texas chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI); founding host of the Picture Book Salon of San Antonio, Texas; and bookseller at The Twig Book Shop.
She taught children’s literature in the public schools and at the undergraduate level for nearly two decades. During 2011-2012, she served as the Visiting Scholar in Children’s Literature at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. She earned her MS in Curriculum and Instruction from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and MFA in fiction from Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
She has enjoyed volunteering in public and school libraries, and interviewing children’s authors for Write On! Radio (KFAI). Before the onset of chronic illness (ME/CFS), she adored hiking, singing in choirs, and reading stories for hours with her siblings’ kids. Originally from frosty Minneapolis, she now lives wherever her wife is stationed, recently in San Antonio, Texas, Italy (with chickens!), and Colorado (with pups!). She is represented by Analía Cabello at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. Learn more: www.charlotteswild.com
What’s New: U.S. News & Wold Report Op-Ed on SCOTUS
I grew up a preacher’s kid. I was also LGBTQ+. Now religious families are objecting to my book about LGBTQ+ childhood. Read more: U.S. News & World Report Op-Ed. (21 April 2025)
What’s New (Feb. 2025): Author and Illustrator Statement on Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court Case
From PEN America, Feb. 20, 2025: “Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court Case” with images of the nine picture books named in the case.
On Feb. 20, 2025, PEN America published our statement from the authors and illustrators of the nine picture books, including Love, Violet, named in the Supreme Courte Case Mahmoud v. Taylor. Here is an excerpt:
“Every child deserves the freedom to read. […] Children need to know that there are other people like them in the world, that they aren’t alone, that their hopes and fears are shared by others. And they need the freedom to read about different people with different views, from diverse ethnic backgrounds and abilities.
Our most basic duty as members of society is to respect and care for each other, no matter how similar or different we may be. Children want to see themselves in books; all children need to see many different kinds of people in books.” Learn more. Full list of links here. On the importance of representation.
What’s New (Jan. 2025): Love, Violet Is Going to the SCOTUS
“Supreme Court will hear case of Maryland parents who object to LGBTQ books in their kids’ classes” AP, Jan. 17, 2025 (image of Supreme Court building)
We learned last Friday that the US Supreme Court has decided to hear a case from Montgomery County, MD, which names nine picture books. We are reeling and worried about the possible implications for kids across the country, depending on the ruling.
Perhaps an ominous backdrop, the new administration has just embraced book bans and dropped them as a matter of concern for the Department of Education. Their denial of this historic surge of book challenges doesn’t hold up before verified facts: “Since 2021, PEN America has documented nearly 16,000 book bans in public schools nationwide, a number not seen since the Red Scare McCarthy era of the 1950s.”
Kids and their freedom to read and learn need our support now more than ever. Thanks to all of you already doing this work and supporting inclusive books and the kids who need them.
Learn more about the SCOTUS case and my thoughts here. Full list of links here
What’s New (Sept. 2024): Love, Violet Case Appealed to the Supreme Court
Image looking up at the Supreme Court Building, with white marble steps and collumns, and statue of a robed figure seated on a chair. Getty Images
It was surreal to learn in Sept. 2024 that a court case from Montgomery County, MD, which names Love, Violet and eight other queer picture books, has been appealed to the Supreme Court. While I definitely expected backlash, I don’t think I imagined this. To be honest, our book has flown under the radar more than I expected. (Proably because it stars queer girls, who tend to be invisible in our culture.)
We still don’t know whether the court will take the case. If they do, given their past rulings, there could be significant (and I worry devastating) implications for the freedom of kids to read across this country. And for teachers to honestly teach about the world we live in, for librarians to include books that represent ALL KIDS.
Find more about this case and my reflection on my blog. Full list of links here
Meanwhile, fingers crossed.
Caption: “New LGBTQ-inclusive books added to MCPS’ supplemental curriculum include colorful picture books like “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” and “My Rainbow.” Credit: Em Espey” The image also shows the picture books “Born Ready,” “Prince & Knight,” “Intersection Allies,” and “Love, Violet.” Source: MoCo 360
What’s New (2023): Stonewall Book Award!
Author Charlotte Sullivan Wild (light skin with long, honey hair, glasses, violet shirt, smiling) holding the picture book Love, Violet (illus. Charlene Chua, FSG)
I was sitting in this very window overlooking our Italian neighbor’s tiny vineyard when my phone rang. Outside, our Eggyatrixes scratched and flapped in the dirt. Inside, I was trying to breathe. A room of giddy librarians (heroes) announced that Love, Violet had won the Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s Literature Award. After years of rejections, of being told queer stories weren’t for everyone, they disagreed! Now, so many kids will adventure with Mira and Violet!
Illustrator Charlene Chua and FSG editor Trisha de Guzman holding the Stonewall Book Award Plaque for LOVE, VIOLET
While I’m homebound, ilustrator Charlene Chua and our fantastic team at FSG-BYR and MacKids “brought me” to ALA with live texts and pics. (Librarians had Love, Violet earrings! The Rainbow Roundtable librarians were weeping! The other speeches were beyond moving, some heartbreaking.) I’m thankful that young people have SO MANY gorgeous, heartfelt books. I hope you’ll check them out! You can also watch Charlene’s and my acceptance speeches here. (As Charlene would say: “Stickers!”)
2023 Winners of the Stonewall Book Awards and Honors – for Children’s and Young Adult Literature
What’s New (2022): Love for Love, Violet!
Background of the Inclusive Pride Flag, the Lambda Literary Award Finalist medal beside book covers of finalists in 2023 for LGBTQ Children’s/ Middle Grade, Comics, and YA
As Love, Violet went into the world, I worried. Would it reach the people who needed it most? Then the notes started coming, from teary adults finally seeing their younger selves, from parents sharing how much this story means to their kids, and a teacher declaring that her second graders were desperate to know how it ends! This is everything. ♥
But there was more: stars from Kirkus and PW, and a generous review putting Love, Violet in historical context from Dana Rudolph (Mombian). Our book was named a Lambda Literary Award Finalist and an NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor Book. The latter was particularly lovely as NCTE was my first professional organization. Yup, I started at a dusty chalkboard in a high school classroom, back in the 1990s. (All around were bell bottoms and muffin tops–if you know, you know!) What I loved most about this award is that it honors books with “the potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder.” Pretty much my life mission. ♥
From Bookstagang, on a background or multi-colored trophies and dots, Margaret Kingsbury (white, long brown hair and glasses) smiles holding three picture books: Love, Violet; Luminous, and Bathe the Cat
Finally, Love, Violet landed on the Bookstagang Best of 2022 list for Future Classics. Viewers then voted 0n Community Favorites and selected L, V again. Grazie! For disabled people like me, online reviews make book browsing accessible. Bookstagrammers have a special place in my heart forever! XO ♥
What’s New (2021-22): Free Inclusive Books!
Pride and Less Prejudice donates LGBTQ+-inclusive books to requesting educators. On a background of rainbow colored paint on canvas is the text: “Request Free Books for Your Classroom” and “Donate to Provide Book Bundles to Classrooms.” The PLP logo is a row of rainbow-colored books, the name in script, and the slogan: “Read out loud! Read out proud!”
With so many book bans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws aimed at kids and their educators, there’s nothing more beautiful than those giving away inclusive books. This is how love wins!
♥ We were thrilled that Pride and Less Prejudice selected Love, Violet for their book bundles in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23. Powered by donations, they give LGBTQIAP2+ books and resources to educators. Are you an educator? Check them out!
♥ We Need Diverse Books has also donated over 100,000 diverse books, including Love, Violet, to classrooms and libraries! They continue to revolutionize our children’s literature for good!
♥ Last, we spotted Love, Violet among diverse books SCBWI donated to educators through a grant from their Imact and Legacy Fund, an effort to counter the harm of book bans. I’m thankful for what this generosity meas for kids!
→ More ways to support rainbow kids here (scroll down).
↓ More organizations donating queer-inclusive books to classrooms.
Image Source: “Mombian: “5 Services Offering Free, LGBTQ-Inclusive Books to Schools” August 18, 2022. On gray background various rainbow Logos for Pride and Less Prejudice, Hope in a Box, GLESN Rainbow Library, Open Books, The Make It Safe Project.
What’s New (2019): Italy!
In 2019, we moved to northern Italy, where my wife is stationed. We are nestled in a rural three-road town, halfway between Venice and the sea, and the Dolomite Mountains. We live across from small family farms and vineyards. Our life is filled with the sounds of church bells, recess, early roosters, and the odd tractor (or motorcycle) roaring down the road. We love how our neighbors spend evenings together outside, sharing the freshest food, watching soccer and chatting.
During the Pandemic we added The Eggyatrixes to our family – four spirited chickens, each with their own personalities and opinions. We are smitten! I’m thankful for this unexpected adventure during a hard season.
What’s New (2019): Living with ME/CFS Disability
Unfortunately, 2019 also brought a new chronic illness for me, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), formerly called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Many with Long Covid develop ME/CFS. It flattened me just days before the launch of my debut picture book The Amazing Idea of You (Lundquist, Bloomsbury). Only with the support of many did I get through those book events and our international move. But once we landed in Italy, it became clear I could no longer “push through” normal life.
I now spend most of my day resting. I must use energy very sparingly. That means almost no social interactions, which is not easy for this extrovert! For long stretches at first, I couldn’t write at all. I’ve now learned about my new limits and come to accept them (okay, some days). That has helped me to stay more within my “energy envelope.”
As a result, I’m writing again! Some of the coping strategies I’ve developed have even improved my creative process. I’m engaging with the world in new ways: making videos instead of doing school visits and connecting virtually with colleagues and readers around the world. I’ve also reflected with new insight on bouts of extended illness I had as a child. This journey is inspiring new projects that I hope will speak to kids facing illness and to their friends who care about them.
Some days are brutal. But writing and connecting with others in the midst of that is a gift. It has also given me a fresh appreciation for life, beauty, and relationships. And for the joy of sharing stories with you. For awhile there, I thought I would never get to do that again.
