Irene Smalls

storyteller, writer

Irene Smalls' first children's book, *Irene and the Big, Fine Nickel*, was inspired by her fond memories of Harlem. Her second book, *Jonathan and His Mommy*, is a love song for her son. *Louise's Gift* tells the story of how an unappreciated gift changes a young girl's view of herself. *Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade: The Johnkankus* is the tale of a slave girl's Christmas. *Because You're Lucky*, coming in fall 1997, is a simple story of how families can change and grow in ways that they are lucky to discover. Irene Smalls graduated from Cornell University with a degree in black studies and from New York University with an M.B.A. in marketing and behavioral science. She lives in Boston with her three children: Dawn, Kevin Logan, and Jonathan.