Shauna J.

Grant

Children’s Author

Cuteness Cartoonist

Travels from: New York, NY

“Mimi is absolutely as cute as the title describes. Grant’s illustrations are frothy and perfectly pastel, and her manga-inspired facial expressions communicate as much as her text… Silly, sweet, and peppily paced, Mimi is great for early readers or as a read-aloud.” — School Library Journal

Shauna J. Grant is a cartoonist who creates cuteness! With a love for all things pink and magical, Shauna is on a mission to add diversity to the comics community by creating stories that feature Black girls as the heroines of their own adventures. Shauna is the creator of Graphix’s brand new early readers graphic novel, Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe, as well as the artist of First Second’s History Comics: Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin. Her work has appeared in Black Comix Returns, Noisemakers, and the Secret Loves of Geeks, and she’s featured in Dr. Sheena Howard’s Encyclopedia of Black Comics. Shauna enjoys spending her downtime daydreaming, reading Korean comics, and playing with her own magical dog, Sugarpaws. Shauna casts cuteness into the world via her comics from her home in New York, the place she was born and raised.

In Shauna’s newest book in the Mimi series, Mimi has a case of the Blahs, where nothing feels quite right. With the help of Penelope, her magical toy dog and best friend, she sets out to find a way to get rid of this icky feeling. Will Mimi reclaim her spark, or will the Blahs get the best of her?

Shauna J. 's Featured Titles

Mimi and the Boo-Hoo Blahs (Mimi #2)

Graphix |

February 7, 2023

Children’s

Mimi returns for another misadventure in this sweet, funny Graphix Chapters series by Shauna J. Grant.

Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters!

Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers aged 6-8. With approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension, these engaging stories with unforgettable characters help children become lifelong readers.

Boo-hoo! Mimi is not having a good day. She can’t get her pigtails to sit right, she’s not in the mood for her favorite breakfast, and she’s far from feeling like her usual self… Mimi has a case of the Blahs, where nothing feels quite right. So with the help of Penelope, her magical toy dog and best friend, she sets out to find a way to get rid of this icky feeling. Will Mimi reclaim her spark, or will the Blahs get the best of her?

BIPOC Representation, Black Voices, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes

First Second |

January 3, 2023

Children’s

Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this volume, learn about two brave women who stood up against segregation, setting in motion the Montgomery Bus Boycott!

A Black woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus sparked a bus boycott and became part of one of the most iconic moments in American history. Yet, few know that Rosa Parks had actively worked toward social justice her whole life. And even fewer know that the seeds of the statewide bus boycott were first planted by a teenager named Claudette Colvin, who was arrested on similar charges months earlier. Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin inspired a nation, showing how positive change can start with a single defiant act. Their actions have become the stuff of legend, but there is so much more to their lives, their stories, and the movement they began.

BIPOC Representation, Black Voices, Civil Discourse & Social Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, History & Biography, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe (Mimi #1)

Graphix |

July 19, 2022

Children’s

Rising star Shauna J. Grant makes her Graphix Chapters debut with this humorous and wholesome series.Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters!

Meet Mimi. She’s charming! She’s cheerful! She’s cute!

But that’s not all! She’s also a loyal friend and fun playmate, who has the best adventures with Penelope, her magical toy dog. But when Mimi notices people treating her like she’s too cute, can she show them that she’s much more than meets the eye? Or will she be stuck in this cute-astrophe?

BIPOC Representation, Black Voices, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

Workshop: Drawing Cuteness!

45-60min

What exactly makes cute art look so cute? Learn the simple magic behind drawing cuteness, and have fun creating your own cute drawings! Perfect for all ages.

This workshop can be done in person or over zoom. Requires paper and pencils for students, and drawing pad for the artist.

The Magical Journey of Making of a Graphic Novel

What’s involved in developing a graphic novel? I’ll guide you step by step through the whole process, talk about what it’s like working as a professional artist, and leave you with a bite sized way to get started on your comic journey!

Using Pictures To Understand Your Feelings (Mimi and the Boo-Hoo Blahs)

Sometimes it’s hard to express with words exactly what we’re feeling, and it can be overwhelming! How can we use art to draw what we’re feeling, just Like Mimi and Penelope?

Storytime With Mimi!

Have the creator of Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe and the Mimi and the Boo-Hoo Blahs read one of Mimi’s magical stories to your class!

The Importance Of Diverse Comics and Media

For Youth Advocates

We know kids love reading diverse stories, but why is that? And why is it so especially important in visual media like comics and animation? I’ll talk about my experiences being a Black child at a time before the explosion of diverse comics, the impact that’s had on my artistic journey, and the resulting reactions to children today.

The Wonderful Magic of Comics: Learning about Visual Literacy

For Youth Advocates

We all know about how important learning literacy is for children, but how do comics come into play? Here I’ll talk about how important it is for readers to not only learn how to read, but also how to become visually literate, and why that’s such a big reason kids LOVE comics!

What’s Anime and Manga and Why Do Kids Love it?

For Youth Advocates

Perhaps you’re already a big fan of Japanese Anime and Manga, or maybe you’re still trying to figure it out! Here we’ll go over the basics of what anime and manga is, how it’s totally influenced a generation of graphic novelists, and why kids can’t get enough!

“Shauna J. Grant was wonderful – from arriving early and with her own tech equipment, to her presentation and then 1:1 interactions with patrons, she was a joy to work with and really made our comic con style event above and beyond! Highly recommend her as a speaker and workshop leader.” — East Islip Public Library, 2024

“Shauna was very sweet, and the children seemed to really enjoy her presence, her slideshow and her read aloud of one of her graphic novels.” — PS24Q, 2024

“Shauna’s bubbly personality and bright illustrations are a hit with young students, and her presentation about how she became and author/illustrator really encourages students to keep trying to achieve their dreams.” — Northside ISD, 2024

“Hosting Shauna J. Grant at our Annual Children’s Librarians Association of Suffolk County Dinner was a pleasure. The planning of Shauna’s visit and day of the event was seamless. Shauna was engaging, witty and charming. After listening to Shauna speak, we are excited to find out what is next on her professional journey.” — Children’s Library Association of Suffolk County, 2023

“Shauna Grant and I have a long history. As a young student in my comics programs, Shauna displayed amazing talent beyond her years and a fully rounded understanding of the discipline and research it takes to become a successful cartoonist. Her style is influenced by the beloved Pop imagery of her surroundings, and developed by a supportive family and years of hard work. Later on, she become a trusted and popular guest artist and speaker for all my programs; from toddlers to seniors, online and in-person. She has a comfortable and clear style of presentation, and always wows them with her impressively beautiful artworks. I’m very happy to say that I am very proud of her success and use the example of her career as a shining beacon for my students.” — Ivan Velez Jr., Planet Bronx productions

“This adorable graphic novel by Shauna J. Grant is perfect for any little cutie… [Mimi’s] newfound self-confidence might be the cutest thing of all.” — Entertainment Weekly

“A valuable addition to the growing swath of graphic novels drawing attention to civil rights history” — Kirkus Reviews

Shauna’s Illustrations

Shauna’s Comics

Honors, Awards & Recognition

New York Public Library | Best Books for Kids List
Glyph Award | Best Artist
Featured in exhibition: Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Shauna’s Work Has Appeared In

Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World, Kazoo Magazine, 2020
Black Comix Returns, Magnetic Press, 2020
Secret Loves of Geeks, Dark Horse Comics, 2018
Encyclopedia of Black Comics, Chicago Review Press, 2017