Children’s Book Author, Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings

For nearly twenty-five years, Dionna L. Mann worked in her local school system, first as a parent volunteer, then as substitute teacher, a high school office secretary, and lastly as a special ed. instructional assistant. Since the pandemic shutdown, Dionna published 20+ books as a work-for-hire author, mostly for the educational market. As an independent researcher, Dionna especially loves uncovering uplifting human-interest stories hidden within African American history, then sharing those stories with kids from all backgrounds. Her debut novel for young readers, Mama's Chicken and Dumplings (Holiday House, 2024), takes place in 1935 Vinegar Hill, a thriving African American community once located in the heart of Charlottesville, Virginia. Mama's Chicken and Dumplings was listed as a 2025 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year and a 2025 Children’s Book Council Librarians’ Favorite. More about Dionna and her books at dionnalmann.com.