Nelda LaTeef
Author/illustrator Nelda LaTeef is the daughter of a U.S. Foreign Service officer. She spent her first eighteen years attending schools in Tunisia, Afghanistan, Italy, Niger, Nigeria, Lebanon and Senegal. After graduating cum laude from Harvard University in 1981 with a BA in anthropology, she pursued an MBA at George Washington University. She then founded a textile business, which she eventually sold to delve into writing and traveling.
Her published titles include: The Hunter and The Ebony Tree, Working Women for the 21st Century: Fifty Women Reveal Their Pathways to Success (selected by the New York Public Library as recommended reading for young adults), and Women of Lebanon: Interviews with Champions for Peace.
Nelda wrote and illustrated, the children's book, The Hunter and The Ebony Tree, winner of the 2003 Storytelling World Award. The book was translated into Italian, Korean and Gaelic. Reviews have included:
"Young readers will be drawn to the illustrations and storytelling in this wonderful addition to any folk tale collection. Recommended." -Library Media Connection
"This is a lovely little tale, delightfully illustrated." -Walter Cronkite
"Storytellers will want to add the tale to their repertoire." - School Library Journal
"Captures the essence of an African folk tale, bringing it vividly to life." -Word Weaving
"LaTeef has done the world an invaluable service in recording this enchanting children's story for future generations to enjoy and cherish." -Fearless Reviews
"enthusiastically recommended for family, school and community library folk tale and picture book collections." - Midwest Book Review
"Perseverance is what makes dreams come true, as LaTeef demonstrates in this magically illustrated story. A truly satisfying read for children of all ages!" -Chris Evert, Tennis Champion
Illustrations from The Hunter and the Ebony Tree were showcased at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, October 29 to November 26, 2003. The entire set of illustrations for The Hunter and the Ebony Tree were displayed, April 10 to 24, 2003, at the McLean Project for the Arts (more than 2,700 students from Fairfax County Public Schools attended).
Nelda LaTeef is a recent recipient of the Fairfax County Public Library Star Volunteer Award for exceptional service. Three children's books: How Bomba Became Rich, Animal Village and The Talking Baobab Tree are currently in the publishing pipeline. Nelda lives in Great Falls, Virginia.
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