Yolanda T. Marshall
Yolanda T. Marshall is a Canadian author of children's books.
Early life
Marshall, the oldest of three sisters, was born in Guyana and grew up in Scarborough, Toronto. Her family moved to Canada when she was 14. Her father is a jazz musician.Writing
Marshall's first children's book, Keman’s First Carnival, was published in 2016. Her children's books generally center around children partaking in elements of Caribbean culture, such as food and music. Her books include:A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, where children give Santa sorrel and black cake.My Soca Birthday Party. A girl has a birthday party with plenty of Caribbean and African food and music; CBC.ca called it one of "the best Canadian picture books of 2020."C is for Carnival, an A to Z book about children at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.Hot Cross Buns For Everyone, about children baking hot cross buns and having an Easter party.Brown Girl in the Snow, inspired by a traditional Caribbean folk song, this story is about an immigrant child's determination to grow her favourite plant and adapt into her new snowy home. CBC.ca called it one of "the best Canadian picture books of 2025." The Globe and Mail called it one of the "best kids books of 2025."She has also written two books of poetry, Obayifo and Messages on Dried Leaves.