REID, Robin (Nicole) 1969-

PERSONAL:

Born December 17, 1969, in Milwaukee, WI; daughter of Norman Sylvester (a contractor) and Lunnette Elfreda (a homemaker) Reid; married Jon Gunnar Rygh (a marketing director), January 25, 1996. Ethnicity: "African American." Education: Oberlin College, B.A. (economics).

ADDRESSES:

Home—New York, NY. Office—Cataland Films, 450 West 15th St., Suite 602, New York, NY 10011. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Simon Spotlight, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. E-mail—robin.reid3@verizon.net.

CAREER:

Independent producer. Arts Engine (nonprofit documentary filmmakers company), member of board of directors.

WRITINGS:

The Big Storm ("Little Bill" series; based on the characters from Bill Cosby's Little Bill television series), illustrated by Kirk-Albert Etienne, Simon Spotlight (New York, NY), 2002.

Thank You, Dr. King ("Little Bill" series; based on the characters from Bill Cosby's Little Bill television series), illustrated by Dan Kanemoto, Simon Spotlight (New York, NY), 2003.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

Little Cab, Big City, about a New York City Chinatown cab.

SIDELIGHTS:

Independent producer Robin Reid has contributed two titles to the "Little Bill" series of books adapted from the television series of the same name created by comedian Bill Cosby. Reid told CA: "Writing for 'Little Bill' gives me much joy. Since the television series emphasizes family and community relationships, as well as self-reliance, I am able to use themes to create stories that are dear to me." The Big Storm, the fourth book in the series, was praised as a "light and humorous story" by Lynda Jones in the Black Issues Book Review. When a nighttime thunderstorm frightens Little Bill, his family devises imaginative ways to cheer him. The picture book also features brightly-colored paper cutout illustrations to complement the story.

"I try my best to speak from a child's perspective," Reid continued, "to respect a child's point of view on the world that they live in. In a world that is requiring children to become adults very quickly, I hope to provide a space that is exclusively for them."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Black Issues Book Review, September-October, 2002, Lynda Jones, review of The Big Storm, p. 60.