About
Monique Duncan is dedicated to teaching and positively impacting our youth through education and the arts. She is the founder of Sweet Pea Books, Inc. and has served students throughout New York City and Westchester County.
Duncan writes diverse stories for children that inspire, amuse and foster a love of reading. She aims to help cultivate a child’s understanding of themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
Duncan earned a BA in Journalism from Temple University and a MA in Childhood Education from Iona College. She is currently enrolled at the Vermont College of Fine Arts for an MFA in Children’s Book Writing. She has self-published 2 picture books for children. D is for Dragon Fruit received honorable mention from the New York Book Festival in 2012. When Mama Braids My Hair was nominated for an Ezra Jack Keats Award in 2019. It was also selected for the Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices 2019 best-of-the-year list and it was featured on the PBS series, Let's Learn.
Duncan currently lives in the Bronx and continues to teach children while she works on future book projects.
Featured Work
When Mama Braids My Hair
When Mama Braids My Hair celebrates a familial and historical connection through African hair braiding. The tradition of African hair braiding is more than just a Sunday routine. Come join Nikki on an adventure as she is transformed into an Egyptian queen, a Nigerian goddess, a Zulu warrior, and a Maasai girl.
While young children throughout the African Diaspora can relate to getting their hair braided in intricate styles, it is also an ancient ritual that is a large part of their history. Readers will enjoy going on an adventure with the main character and learning about the origins of popular braided hairstyles worn today.
