Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft Discuss Their Children's Book 'J vs. K'

The Inspiration Behind 'J vs. K'

• 💡 The children's book "J vs. K" features two fifth-grade students, Jay and K, who are rivals in a school competition.
• 🎯 Jay is loosely based on Kwame Alexander, a child who loves to draw but dislikes reading, while K is inspired by Jerry Craft, who loves to write.

A Collaborative Creative Process

• 🤝 The collaboration between Alexander and Craft, both Newbery Medal winners, was a deliberate choice to demonstrate the power of teamwork.
• ✍️ Craft initiated the collaboration, writing the first chapter, which Alexander then rewrote and improved before writing the second chapter.
• 💬 This back-and-forth is reflected in the book's interactive, journal-like format, with interjections that showcase their distinct styles.

The Book's Core Message

• 🚀 "J vs. K" aims to show children that there is no single formula for success and that dreams are achievable through hard work, passion, and fun.
• 🌍 The book embodies the African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
• ✨ The creators wanted to write a book that resonates with kids by showing them that the authors were once similar to them.