Everyone has a story. Here’s mine.
The daughter of Haitian immigrants, I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. My brother and I grew up in a home filled with love and the many flavors of the Caribbean. Raised by a woman who would do anything to help us live a life with opportunities she did not have, our mom’s belief in the power of God's love guided everything she did for us.
I started writing poetry in middle school. From those early days, my mom believed my work would be published one day. She often said, “you are so smart, and you will get to do all the things I didn't get to do.” I am so grateful she saw something special in me back then. I am even more grateful she still sees something special in me today. Her words inspire me to live my life with purpose.
When I am not teaching, writing stories, or envisioning illustrations, I am busy keeping up with my three inspiring, fun-loving kids who adore books and place them all over the house — a habit that makes me proud and drives me nuts. As for my husband, he is my rock. We met in college, and I have been sharing my stories with him ever since.
I decided to be a children’s book author with three simple goals in mind:
Write stories that bring joy.
Encourage kids because they deserve all the good things in life.
Inspire anyone who has a dream and is afraid to pursue it
Words and images matter. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to raising Black and Brown children living in a world that tries to tear them down at every turn. To help kids become the amazing adults they want to be, we have to surround them with messages of love, hope, and joy.
Love for who they are.
Hope for a future that is brighter than today.
Joy that fills their spirits with gratitude.
If my words can help kids feel more confident about who they are and how they show up in the world, I will write books for the rest of my life.
A few interesting things
All three of my kids are left-handed. I am not. Neither is my husband. I have as many questions about this as you probably do.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is definitely one of my favorite albums, and I could listen to it on repeat any day of the week.
I’ve known my best friend since 5th grade, and she remembers tons of details about our childhood that I just can’t recall.
If the statement above didn’t already give it away, I don’t have the best memory.
I love the beach.
If I have 3 ripe bananas, I’m baking banana bread.
I started my locs in 2018 (I’m in love with them), and I’m pretty sure my next hairstyle will be a really short look.
I want to live in Paris, France for at least 6 months.
I make a mean pound cake. Blueberry Almond is my specialty.
I love watching films and television shows. My list of favorites is long.
I completed a marathon when I was 28. I will NEVER do that again. I love fitness, but 26.2 miles is just too long.
During the pandemic, I discovered I could draw pretty well.
Gabby and the Big Art Show was inspired by my daughter, Jada, and her actual artwork can be found throughout the book.
With You Wherever You Go was inspired by my favorite bible verse, Joshua 1:9.
I’m an ACE-Certified Health Coach who believes in helping people live well by creating goals that align with their values.
Official Bio
Martine Foreman is determined to leave her mark on the world as the author of joyful and uplifting children’s books. Her desire to share messages of courage and hope, coupled with her gift of rhyme, allow her to create books that add a bit of sunshine to the lives they touch.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Martine fell in love with reading when she was just a bored kid hanging out in her Brooklyn apartment. She even got her first job working in the Brooklyn Public Library system as a teenager. Today, her work as an educator at a community college allows her to find inspiration in new and exciting ways. With 20 years of experience in higher education and over ten years of experience as a writer, she aims to help kids discover meaningful lessons through the pages of a book.
Motivated by the conviction that literature helps young people build confidence, tap into creativity, and discover joy, Martine uses her background as an educator and her life as a mom of three to guide her words and the vision for her books. She wants to help kids embrace the best parts of themselves through words and images representing who they are.
When she is not teaching or writing books, Martine enjoys hanging out with her family, snacking, reading, weight training, kickboxing, watching television, and listening to podcasts. She lives in Maryland with her husband, their three book-loving kids, and their cute puppy, Kobe.