Francie Latour

Francie  Latour  is a prize-winning writer whose work explores issues of race, culture, and identity. Her work has been featured on National Public Radio, the Today  show,  The Root,  Essence, and the  Boston Globe. Her writing  was also  anthologized in  The Butterfly’s Way, edited by Edwidge Danticat. Francie is co-founder and co-director of Wee The People, a social justice project for kids. This is her first picture book.

A mother of three, Francie was born in the US to Haitian parents. She was inspired to write  Auntie Luce by a chance encounter in 1992 with the late artist Luce Turnier — one of Haiti’s most celebrated female artists — who painted Francie’s portrait.  Francie and her family live in Boston.

Reviews and Awards

Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings

Américas Award Honor Book
Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2018 About History and Tradition

“Natural metaphors and poetic ideas will make this a good choice for sharing aloud in the classroom and creating emotional connection to a subject of study. Furthermore, the illustrator’s Afro-Caribbean roots amplify the love song the Haitian American author has composed to Haiti . . . An excellent selection for exploring deep connections to Haiti through love, family, history, and art.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Daley’s paintings convey some of the complexities of time and place through the images themselves. … Young readers will enjoy how Latour and Daley celebrate Haitian history and culture through this lovely, artistic story. ” — Kirkus, Starred Review

“The narrative is lush and lyrical, capturing the romance of nostalgia as well as the concrete thoughts of the child. Daley’s acrylic illustrations burst off the page in deeply saturated, vibrant colors that echo but do not imitate Luce Turnier’s own art.” — Booklist

“Daley brings intimacy to the spreads, filling them with splashy tones and arresting framed portraits. An illuminating author’s note speaks about the Haitian revolution and the importance of remembering forgotten figures.” — Publishers Weekly