Kadir Nelson

Writer and illustrator Kadir Nelson, who began drawing at age 3 and painting at age 10, says, "I have always been an artist. It's part of my DNA." He began collaborating with writers in 1999, including choreographer Debbie Allen ("Dancing in the Wings") and Ntozake Shange ("Ellington Was Not a Street"). Nelson debuted as an author with "We Are the Ship." His current work is "Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans" (HarperCollins).

Previous National Book Festival Appearances

• 2011 Book Festival Webcast
• 2009 Book Festival Webcast
• 2008 Book Festival Webcast
• 2006 Book Festival Webcast