Crystal Swain-Bates

Hey lovelies! I'm an author and the owner of Goldest Karat Publishing company. While my writing is diverse, my passion is creating books that empower black children to feel good in their own skin. Check out my books at www.goldestkarat.com and visit my blog at www.crystalswainbates.com. You can also drop me a line at [email protected].

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I’ve been quiet for the past few weeks and it’s because I’m on an international book tour ✈️! I’m hopping from continent to continent with Paris 🇫🇷 , Cairo 🐪 , and West Africa 🇬🇭 🇨🇮 on the list of amazing places I’m taking my children’s books. I’ll be back just in time to teach two book publishing sessions at the @naturalhairshow in Atlanta 🎉 Pictures and stories to come... #fulltimeauthor (at Accra, Ghana) https://www.instagram.com/cswainbates/p/BwH_MgglHFh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=36w02rw672zj

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🥰 If only y’all knew how many times I have watched this video 🤣! It makes my heart smile every time! Another happy reader ❤️ #Repost @omg_and_mommy ・・・ Thank you for the wonderful book!!! @catie162 @thebrowngirlsclub @cswainbates #bighairdontcare #curlyhair #curlyhaircare #haircare #cute #beautiful #natural #daughter #love #liv #olivia #omg #family #naturalhair https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt0qUeRlNSU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b3rnhp1cu2o2

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How amazing is this?! 😍 I love seeing my book “Big Hair, Don’t Care” used for these fabulous Black History Month doors! This year they focused on famous African-American women and I’m humbled to have been included. 😍 #Repost @theblackasianbarbie ・・・ I did that!!! #readacrossamerica #blackhistorymonth #elementaryteacher https://www.instagram.com/p/Bttb87BlUCV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e93ystwj82h8

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This afro puff pumpkin deserves ALL the reposts! I seriously 💜 my readers, their creativity is everything. Thanks @dani_dunno for creating this black girl magic pumpkin inspired by my book! Happy Halloween! 🎃 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpm_x3_F2TQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19yndr6xn2kd4

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How adorable is this pregnancy announcement?! 😍 Y’all are getting soooo creative with my books and I LOVE it ♥️! Only 6 more months until Royalty becomes a big sister!! ・・・ #Repost @royaltyjacq ・・・ I’m using my BIG SISTER recipe 👩🏾‍🍳 to help my parents cook up my little brother/sister ☺️ Mommy says she has a #bunintheoven and Daddy says it will be ready #April2019 😊 Aprons custom made by @only1fab_tab 😘 #frobabies #bourgiebabies #bourgiemoms #pregnancyannouncement #bigsister #pregnancy #babyannouncement #babyannouncementideas #crystalswainbates #imabigsister #blackbabies #representationmatters https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXVihoFXLi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t1ydcqkggpdj

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Pictures like this are truly the equivalent of fan mail to me 😍✉️ ! ••••• Reading together helps build parent-child bonds and nights spent cuddled up in bed, reading with her mommy, will never be forgotten by little Penelope! Thanks Erica for sharing a little peek into your world and your love for my book Big Hair, Don’t Care! ••••• Who else reads in bed? #naturalhairkids #frobabies #writersofcolor #diversekidslit #diversebooks #kidlit #representationmatters #blackchildrensbooks #raisingreaders #Repost @ericadanielleeason ・・・ Penelope making up the words to these books has me cracking up. 😂😂 • I like reading books to Penelope about self acceptance and about mother daughter relationships. Penelope is #biracial and it’s important to me for her to connect with that part of her. •📚 #bighairdontcare #Ilikemyself #childrensbooks #unitedinmotherhood #clickinmoms #motherhoodinspired #raleighinfluencers #durham #cary #singlemomdiaries #singlemom #mybedroom #kidgoals #kidsofinstagram #mynameismama #momlife #momsofinsta #raleighnc #motherhoodunplugged #childhoodunplugged https://www.instagram.com/p/BpU_5M5lKSA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k6m92yeqemjq

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This video literally sums up why I do what I do... As an author, you want your work to be meaningful, impactful, and inspiring. This video and ALL of the pics I get from my readers are proof of that! These young ladies at Shark River Elementary School and @ms_aus (the amazing librarian who set all of this up!) are spreading the word that they love their hair and take pride in their appearance, just the way they naturally are. All inspired by my book Big Hair, Don’t Care! . . . . . . #bighairdontcare #naturalhair #librariansofinstagram #raisingreaders #diversereads #naturalhairkids #frobabies #writersofcolor #diversekidslit #diversebooks #kidlit #yeskidsbookstagram #browngirlbloggers #booksforbrowngirls #raiseareader #browngirlsread #literacy #teachersfollowteachers #literacyday #teachersofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #weneeddiversebooks #weneedblackbooks #blackchildrensbooks #blackchildrensauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSaacmFrcC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jhis54vdoq4q

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I only realize how long my name is when it's time to autograph books!! #crystalswainbates #iwriteblackbooks #wnhs #wnhs17 #bighairdontcare #blackbooks #thebrowngirlsclub

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This adorable family came to my book signing at the Listening Tree Bookstore in Atlanta and their sweet little girl was so excited to hear me read "Big Hair, Don't Care". The best part was when I saw her dad mouthing the words from memory as I read them. When a parent knows my book by heart, it's a pretty clear indicator that the book is a family favorite! #weneeddiversebooks #blackkidsread #blackauthors #blackbooks #blackbooksmatter #bighairdontcare #crystalswainbates #goldestkarat #blacklove #buyblack #naturallyme #naturalhair

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My new book “I’m a Pretty Princess” is finally out and I am beyond excited to show little brown girls that not all princesses have blond hair and blue eyes!

http://amzn.com/193950922X

http://www.browngirlsclub.com/products/im-a-pretty-princess-book-presale

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It’s incredibly hard to find Valentine’s Day cards with black characters so I made 20+ printable cards for our little brown girls and boys to enjoy! Free, from me to you, with love!  ~Crystal Swain-Bates

http://www.browngirlsclub.com/products/free-printable-valentines-day-cards-for-black-children

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Besides writing, I’m constantly creating new self-esteem boosting products for black girls. I call these magnets “Pretty Little Clings” and they all have positive affirmations and brown-girl friendly imagery.  Whenever I'm feeling a little bit blah, I walk by my fridge and get a healthy boost of self-esteem.  Yes, I CAN do amazing things! Yes, I AM absolutely fabulous darling! I am indeed a star. Now that we got that out of the way, I can start my day! Speak it into existence! 

http://www.browngirlsclub.com/collections/all/magnet

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3 Coloring and Activity Books for the Carefree Black Kids In Your Life

3 Coloring and Activity Books for the Carefree Black Kids In Your Life

  I have been a fan of Crystal Swain-Bates’ collection of books for kids for quite some time now. So, I recently expanded the household collection to include three coloring and activity books. This is probably one of the smartest purchases I’ve made in a while. (more…)

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Designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence in children of all ages, this fun rhyming picture book follows a freckle-faced girl and a gap-toothed boy throughout their day as they show the reader that despite their appearance, they both feel comfortable in their own skin, just the way they naturally are!

By the end of the book, young readers will be chanting the theme of the book: "I'm proud to be naturally me!"

While this book features African-American children, its message of self-acceptance is a universal one that can be enjoyed and appreciated by children of all races.

Get your copy of "Naturally Me" at Amazon!

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It’s international book day today and my son’s school did a thing where the kids were allowed to go in dressed as characters in books.  In reality this turned out to be that in the reception class my son is in (4-5-year olds) most girls showed up dressed in Disney princess dresses and most boys in Marvel/DC superhero outfits.  In the school yard I overheard one of the boys make a comment to a girl that she couldn’t be a princess since she had short hair.  The bell rang that instant and all the kids ran off so I was just left there steaming with a piece on my mind I couldn’t get out there and then.  So here’s short haired Disney Princesses.

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Love this!

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