Luvvie Ajayi Jones is bringing her Little Troublemaker back, People magazine reports.
Philomel will publish the speaker and author’s Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name, illustrated by Joey Spiotto,next year. The press calls the book, a follow-up to Ajayi Jones’ 2023 book, Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess, “remarkably relatable.”
Ajayi Jones was a marketing strategist and popular blogger before making her adult literary debut in 2016 with I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual. She followed that up with two more books, Professional Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual and Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens.
Her new book will reprise the character of Little Luvvie, who in the previous volume was determined to make jollof rice as a surprise for her mother, with decidedly messy results. In the latest installment, Little Luvvie has a bad first day of school, where her name is mocked by a classmate, but she’s determined to stand up for herself and turn things around.
“This funny, sweet story is dedicated to all the kids whose names might feel too different,” Philomel says. “It reminds us that our names are worth getting right and celebrating.”
Ajayi Jones shared news of her new book on Instagram, writing, “[I]t’s healing to my spirit because one thing [I’ll] always do in this series and with Little Luvvie is affirm her and let her know that she is always worth defending,” she wrote. “She will never be humbled. I can’t wait for the kiddies to get their hands on it!”
Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name is slated for publication on May 6, 2025.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
