Jackie Carter (June 28, 1953 – April 13, 2016) was an American children's author. Her goal was to provide children of all races with images of themselves in the books they read.

Jackie Carter
Born(1953-06-28)June 28, 1953
Port Chester, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 13, 2016(2016-04-13) (aged 62)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationChildren's literature
NationalityAmerican
EducationHampton University
New York University (MS)
ParentsWilliam A. Carter
Earnestine Carter

Early life and education edit

Carter was born on June 28, 1953, in Port Chester, New York.[1] Both of her parents, William A. Carter and Earnestine Carter, were employees of the Middletown school district, and her father was the first African-American school principal there.[2] Carter obtained a degree in early childhood education from Hampton University and a Master of Science in Educational Instructional Technology from New York University.[2]

Career edit

Her first position in publishing was on Sesame Street Magazine, after which she joined Scholastic Corporation as editorial director of the early childhood division in 1985.[1] Carter was named Editorial Director of Weston Woods/Scholastic New Media, which produced audiovisual works, in 1995.[2]

Among the positions she held in children's publishing were VP of Marvel Kids in 1997 and Editorial Director of Disney Global Children's Book Division. At Disney Carter was also Editorial Director of Jump at the Sun, an imprint highlighting African American culture. The imprint included Whoopi Goldberg's Sugar Plum Ballerina series, as well as the Willimena series by Valerie Wilson Wesley.[2]

In 2004 she became vice president and publisher of Children's Press at the Scholastic Classroom and Library Group.[3] She also participated in a reading and writing program at the University of Illinois at Chicago aimed at encouraging African-American boys to build self-esteem.[1]

Bibliography edit

  • Levin, James, and Jackie Carter. Helping. New York: Scholastic, 1993. ISBN 9780590727754
  • Carter, Jackie, and Nancy Poydar. Knock, Knock! New York, NY: Scholastic, 1993. ISBN 9780590727839
  • Carter, Jackie, and James Young. One Night. New York: Scholastic, 1994. ISBN 9780590275651

Illness and death edit

Carter was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2002, and died in Manhattan April 13, 2016. On learning that she had cancer she developed a photographic exhibit with Martin Mistretta at the Creative Arts Center for People with Cancer, in Manhattan, called The It Girl's Guide to Chemo.[1][4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Roberts, Sam (April 23, 2016). "Jackie Carter, 62, Brought Children's Books the Rainbow". New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Obituaries: Jackie Carter". The Times Herald Record. April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "Book View, September 2004". Publishing Trends.
  4. ^ "The "It Girl's" Guide to Chemotherapy". Martin Mistretta.