Just Us Books

An Imprint of Just Us Books, Inc.

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Wade and Cheryl Hudson were parents on a desperate search for children’s books that reflected the diversity of Black history, heritage and experiences. Disappointed by the limited number and their unreliable availability, the couple embarked upon a mission: to produce the kind of positive, vibrant Black-interest books that they wanted for their own two children. Combining their professional experience in marketing and graphic design, Wade and Cheryl developed a number of manuscripts including the AFRO-BETS ABC BOOK, which taught the alphabet using Afrocentric themes and images. They began presenting their ideas to various publishing houses. Although most editors liked the concepts, the Hudsons received rejection after rejection. “There’s no market for Black children’s books,” one editor said.

So in 1987 the Hudsons published the AFRO-BETS ABC BOOK themselves. Thanks to targeted marketing and grassroots outreach, orders poured in from parents, teachers and Black bookstores before the book was even printed. In less than three months, 5,000 copies of the title had been sold.

In 2004, the company launched its first imprint, Sankofa Books, to bring previously out-of-print Black classic books back to the marketplace. Through the new imprint, the publisher welcomed into its family of book creators literary legends such as Camille Yarbrough, Rosa Guy, and James Haskins.

JUST US BOOKS, INC.
Post Office Box 5306
East Orange, NJ 07017
973 672-7701

62 Publications Found

Kwame Nkrumah’s Midnight Speech for Independence
Papa’s Free Day Party
Papa’s Free Day Party
Marilyn Nelson
Apr 2021
Sights I Love to See
Sights I Love to See
Cheryl Willis Hudson
May 2017
Book of Black Heroes: Political Leaders Past and Present
Book of Black Heroes
Gil Robertson
Apr 2017
AFRO-BETS ABC BOOK
AFRO-BETS ABC BOOK
Cheryl Willis Hudson
Jul 2015
Willimena Rules: 9 Steps to the Best, Worst, Greatest Holiday Ever!
Willimena Rules
Valerie Wilson Wesley
Mar 2015
One Million Men and Me
One Million Men and Me
Kelly Starling Lyons
Sep 2007
The Secret Olivia Told Me
The Secret Olivia Told Me
E. N. Joy
Nov 2013
Book of Black Heroes from A to Z: An Introduction to Important Black Achievers for Young Readers
Book of Black Heroes from A to Z
Wade Hudson
Mar 2013
The President Looks Like Me & Other Poems
Bishop Daniel A. Payne: Great Black Leader
Bishop Daniel A. Payne
Rudine Sims Bishop
Aug 2009
12 Brown Boys
12 Brown Boys
Omar Tyree
Nov 2008
Poetry from the Masters: The Black Arts Movement
Poetry from the Masters
Useni Eugene Perkins
Oct 2008
Path To My African Eyes
Path To My African Eyes
Ermila Moodley
Oct 2007
Reflections of a Black Cowboy: Pioneers
Reflections of a Black Cowboy
Robert H. Miller
Oct 2006
Reflections of a Black Cowboy: Mountain Men
Reflections of a Black Cowboy
Robert H. Miller
Oct 2006
I’m Late: The Story of Laneese and Moonlight and Alisha Who Didn’t Have Anyone of Her Own
I’m Late
Mari Evans
Jan 2006
I Told You I Can Play!
I Told You I Can Play!
Brian Jordan
Jan 2006
New Guys Around The Block
New Guys Around The Block
Rosa Guy
Nov 2005
Ruby
Ruby
Rosa Guy
Oct 2005
Freedom Rides: Journey for Justice
Freedom Rides
James Haskins
Mar 2005
Ma Dear’s Old Green House
Ma Dear’s Old Green House
Denise Lewis Patrick
Oct 2004
Cowboys (Reflections of a Black Cowboy)
Cowboys (Reflections of a Black Cowboy)
Robert H. Miller
Oct 2004
Ghost Ranch: The Legend of Mad Jake (Kid Caramel: Private Investigator)
Ghost Ranch
Dwayne Ferguson
Oct 2004
Eddie’s Ordeal (Neate)
Eddie’s Ordeal (Neate)
Kelly Starling Lyons
Oct 2004
Follow-Up Letters to Santa From Kids Who Never Got a Response
The Pioneers (Poetry from the Masters)
Book of Black Heroes: Scientists, Healers, and Inventors (Volume 3)
Book of Black Heroes
Wade Hudson
Jan 2003
Blessing in Disguise
Blessing in Disguise
Eleanora E. Tate
Nov 2002
Langston’s Legacy: 101 Ways to Celebrate the Life and Work of Langston Hughes
Langston’s Legacy
Katura J. Hudson
Nov 2002
Come by Here Lord: Everyday Prayers for Children
Come by Here Lord
Cheryl Willis Hudson
Jun 2001
Afro-Bets Book of Colors: Meet the Color Family
Afro-Bets Book of Colors
Margery W. Brown
Oct 2000
Many Colors of Mother Goose
Many Colors of Mother Goose
Cheryl Willis Hudson
Feb 2000
Glo Goes Shopping (Afro-Bets)
Glo Goes Shopping (Afro-Bets)
Cheryl Willis Hudson
Oct 1999
Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! Love, Annie: A Book about Secrets
Robo’s Favorite Places (Afro-Bets Kids)
Explore Black History With Wee Pals
Explore Black History With Wee Pals
Morrie Turner
Oct 1998
Anthony’s Big Surprise (NEATE 3)
Anthony’s Big Surprise (NEATE 3)
Wade Hudson
Oct 1998
The Werewolf of PS 40 (Kid Caramel, Private Investigator, Book 2)
Courtney’s Birthday Party
Courtney’s Birthday Party
Loretta Long
Sep 1998
Singing Black: Alternative Nursery Rhymes for Children
Singing Black
Mari Evans
May 1998
Kids Book of Wisdom: Quotes from the African American Tradition
Kids Book of Wisdom
Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson
Apr 1997
Kid Caramel: Books 1, Case of the Missing Ankh (Kid Caramel, Private Detective) (Volume 1)
Kid Caramel
Dwayne Ferguson
Apr 1997
Just an Overnight Guest
Just an Overnight Guest
Eleanora E. Tate
Apr 1997
Annie’s Gifts (Feeling Good Series)
Annie’s Gifts (Feeling Good Series)
Angela S. Medearis
Feb 1997
In Praise Of Our Fathers And Our Mothers: A Black Family Treasury By Outstanding Authors And Artists
In Praise Of Our Fathers And Our Mothers
Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson
Feb 1997
Susie King Taylor: Destined to Be Free
Susie King Taylor
Denise Jordan
Dec 1994
The Twins Strike Back
The Twins Strike Back
Valerie Flournoy
Dec 1994
Elizabeth’s Wish (NEATE 2)
Elizabeth’s Wish (NEATE 2)
Debbi Chocolate
Jun 1994
From a Child’s Heart
From a Child’s Heart
Nikki Grimes
Oct 1993
Land of the Four Winds
Land of the Four Winds
Veronica Freeman Ellis
Mar 1993
Christmas Fun: A Coloring & Activity Book (Afro-Bets Kids Series)
Christmas Fun
Dwayne Ferguson
Nov 1992
When I Was Little
When I Was Little
Toyomi Igus
Nov 1992
NEATE to the Rescue!
NEATE to the Rescue!
Debbi Chocolate
Aug 1992
Jamal’s Busy Day
Jamal’s Busy Day
Wade Hudson
Dec 1991
Book of Black Heroes: Great Women in the Struggle (Book of Black Heroes)
Book of Black Heroes
Toyomi Igus
Nov 1991
Afro-Bets: Book of Shapes
Afro-Bets
Margery W. Brown
Oct 1991
Bright Eyes, Brown Skin
Bright Eyes, Brown Skin
Cheryl Willis Hudson and Bernette Ford
Nov 1990
Afro-Bets, First Book about Africa: An Introduction for Young Readers (Revised)
Afro-Bets, First Book about Africa
Veronica Freeman Ellis
Apr 1990
Afro-Bets Coloring and Activity Book
Afro-Bets Coloring and Activity Book
Dwayne Ferguson
Dec 1989
Afro-Bets 1-2-3 Book
Afro-Bets 1-2-3 Book
Cheryl Willis Hudson
Feb 1989
AFRO-BETS Kids I’m Going to Be
AFRO-BETS Kids I’m Going to Be
Wade Hudson
Jan 1970

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