(2) K-3 A letter of love and care from civil rights icon Ruby Bridges to twenty-­first-century children marks the sixtieth anniversary of her integration of ­William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Dedicated to John Lewis, the "conscience of Congress," and addressed to "Young Peacemakers of the World," Bridges's book opens with a photograph of her first-grade self, looking inquisitively at the reader, her hand turning the page of a book. Powerful photographs, a mix of historical and contemporary, demonstrate hard truths throughout, with images shown of federal marshals escorting young Ruby and racist whites brandishing a Black doll in a casket in front of her school; the March on Washington alongside Black Lives Matter marches; and police turning fire hoses on teens in 1963 and spraying protestors with pepper spray in 2020. The book lays bare the ongoing consequences of racial inequality and injustice through descriptions and images of lost Black lives, including those of Freddie Gray and Bridges's own son, Craig. The juxtaposition of historical and contemporary scenes maintains a serious mood throughout, but Bridges's clear-eyed and comprehensible words--some acting almost as captions to explain the photographs; others expanding on large ideas--exhort young readers to stay united and positive, serve, and "keep your eyes on the prize" to make change. A boldly written, memorably illustrated message of hope for our time, from one who has fought for social justice all her life.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(1) PS Illustrated by Bryan Collier. A richly illustrated affirmation for Black children--especially boys. An African American expectant mother and father eagerly await the arrival of their child, embracing him even as he grows in utero. On the first double-page spread, a full moon appears, composed of overlapping petal shapes that form a tapestry, a quilt--a visual motif that soon becomes colorful patterns and images of African American faces. The visuals throughout whisper of the family's African ancestry; the poetic text says, "You were dreamed of, like a knapsack full of wishes, carried on the backs of your ancestors as they created empires, pyramids, legacies." Charles employs the word matter effectively as both noun and verb, emphasizing that because this child is made up of matter from the universe, he matters. When the mother reads to her son in her lap, the text pays homage to Rudine Sims Bishop's framework, likening the book the pair is reading to a mirror in which the child can see the "same hair, same skin, same dreams." After touching on the racism that Black children face, this tribute announces its uplifting climax in Collier's loving illustrations of this brown-skinned child's face, boldly inviting the audience to see--really see--him in all his beauty. Stunning. Powerful. Timely. Illustrated inspiration at its best.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) PS Illustrated by Charnele Pinkney Barlow. An homage to all the African American women who are mothering children not biologically their own. Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose because "Mommy and Daddy live miles away." She offers no explanation for why she doesn't live with her parents, but this reflects reality since children don't always know or understand why that might be the case. Though she misses her mother and father, Carol doesn't focus on what she lacks but instead emphasizes the richness of her life with Mama Rose, who does things "just like a Mama." This stylish woman gives Carol a bike for her sixth birthday, then shows her how to ride it; teaches Carol to tell time, play basketball, and make her own bed. Mama Rose sets boundaries and maintains high expectations for Carol--vegetables before dessert and chores before play--and offers praise when Carol meets those expectations. In bright watercolor, gouache, colored-pencil, and gel pen art, debut illustrator Barlow emphasizes the love in this child's life through the family portraits on the endpapers and the many details that suggest the closeness between Carol and Mama Rose. Like Jacqueline Woodson's Our Gracie Aunt and Coming On Home Soon (rev. 9/04), Duncan's story sheds positive light on nontraditional, yet commonplace, families.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Noa Denmon. In this powerfully lyrical poem, Elliott articulates what resides "deep down inside" of the African American, skateboard-loving, first-person protagonist: joy, sorrow, fear, anger, hunger, pride, peace, and more. While the protagonist speaks, Denmon's illustrations, primarily in blue, pale yellow, and mauve, depict the tween boy doing skateboard tricks (showing the bottom of his board that's covered in peace and justice stickers) and spending time with friends, while muted backgrounds depict life in his urban neighborhood. This book delivers positivity, despite the inclusion of police brutality, a Black Lives Matter protest, and a vigil for the dead--all of which affirm the child's realities. At school, when he presents his work to his classmates, great figures such as Mae Jemison, Jackie Robinson, Louis Armstrong, Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. appear on the opposite mural-like page, inspiring him as he takes pride in the past. On a page with no white space, a group of multigenerational Black individuals with different skin tones, facial features, hairstyles, and expressions faces the reader. The boy declares them "triumphant & beautiful," as faintly visible images of African women peer from the background, carrying baskets of food on their heads--referencing the ancestry of those in the foreground. A well-crafted, twenty-first-century love poem by two truth-telling Black women artists and activists.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. Protagonist Jayden is unhappy about his family's move from New York City, with its skyscrapers and "feeling of wow," to the New Mexico desert, land of shadows, lizards, and endless sky. During the flight west, Jayden pouts and tries not to cry. But despite his attitude, he can't suppress his wonder upon arrival. Near his family's new home, he notices an array of colorful flowers, a chatty magpie, rock formations with rainbow colors, and tall "red rock pillars / holding up the sky" that remind him of the New York skyline. Minor's gouache watercolor illustrations, featuring an African American family, capture the expansive topography, the surprising desert palette, and Jayden's growing appreciation for his surroundings. His gruff expression becomes inquisitive, respectful, and finally joyous as he discovers flowers, butterflies, bleached animal bones, and more. The lyrical quality of Grimes's poetry gets richer as Jayden begins to embrace his new home. He even finds a small gift to bring to his mother, while he also presents her with his first smile since leaving the city. Moving is never easy, but Jayden's experience of focusing on the beauty before him rather than on what he has left behind is an endearing example of making the best of a new situation.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Grimes puts an animal-centric spin on a youngster's innovations for bedtime stalling. This lushly illustrated story, on double-page spreads full of bold, saturated color, opens with an African American child's firm attestation: "No! No! No!" It's bedtime, and this young person wants no part of it. The narrator, the child's mother, speaks in an immediate second-person voice. "In the forest of your room, you cling to Bear. I turn back the sheets, and you GROWL. 'In you both go,' I say." In response to each of Mommy's directives, the child's defiance conjures a colorful creature, adorned with geometric patterns. In most cases, the imagined animal is larger than the protagonist, emphasizing just how strong bedtime resistance can be. The child freezes in place like Fawn, hangs onto Mommy's neck like Koala, crouches and pounces like Tiger, and hops like Antelope, all of which contribute to the difficulties of winding down for sleep. Zunon mixes realistic portrayals of the human characters with more stylized depictions of the animals to highlight the role the child's imagination is playing. The gender-unspecified protagonist, wearing a footed red onesie with a back flap, helps all young listeners see themselves in these scenarios. A clever bedtime tale for stubborn, active, twenty-first-century kids.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(1) K-3 City-dweller Ernestine has never been camping, but when Aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha invite her, she gets her dad's okay and starts preparing: new flashlight and sleeping bag, a homemade batch of trail mix, and a long list of things to pack--all helpfully pictured and labeled in the engaging art. After a long car ride, they arrive at the campground, and Ernestine learns that tent pitching is harder than it looks and that hiking in the woods is tougher than walking to school. Dinner (tofu hot dogs and broccoli salad) and swimming (with fish!) present some new challenges for the girl, but bedtime proves the trickiest time of all. Aunt Jackie knows just what to do to help her niece get over her homesickness and enjoy even the night: "Let's go look at the stars"--accompanied by a stunning double-page spread in deep purple and black. Ernestine narrates the story in first person and present tense, capturing the immediacy of her experiences. Mann's skillfully crafted pencil and "digitally collaged and painted" illustrations, in a nicely paced mix of panels, full-page illustrations, and double-page spreads, quietly foster a love for the wilderness while they show how time spent outside can bring families closer. A rare and welcome depiction of an African American family enjoying nature (see also Hike, rev. 3/20).

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. "Unbought and Unbossed": Shirley Chisholm's 1968 campaign slogan, still relevant today. Russell-Brown (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, rev. 11/14) engagingly presents the life of Chisholm, born in Brooklyn in 1924. Unable to support their children, Shirley's parents took Shirley and her sisters to Barbados to live with their grandmother, "whose house was stocked with love, rules, and chores." Shirley excelled academically and loved living among the Black Barbadians. She and her younger sisters returned home during the Great Depression, and her predominantly white school demoted her from sixth to fourth grade because she knew so little U.S. history. With a tutor's help, Shirley soon took an interest in America's political system and attended Brooklyn College, where she became an award-winning debater. A schoolteacher and community activist, Chisholm became a New York State assemblywoman, then the first Black Congresswoman, steadfastly following her grandmother's mantra: "always..speak the truth." Chisholm broke further ground as an African American woman running for president, in 1972. ­Velasquez's vibrant watercolor illustrations capture Chisholm's ­determination and passion for improving life for Americans with the fewest advantages. The informative and useful back matter includes an afterword, source notes, and photos.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) PS Illustrated by Angel Chang. A white tiger takes readers through a tour of common geographical features (valley, plain) and less commonly recognized ones (atoll, isthmus). Expansive double-page spreads illustrate these features in bold colors, while the white tiger holds readers' attention as they guess what it will do next with the yellow chair it carries strapped to its back. A little brown mouse--apparently the tiger's companion--also appears on nearly every double-page spread, giving readers a small detail to find. The one gatefold illustration (of a spectacular vista) shows an expansive sunset sky alight with reds, oranges, yellows, and purples--a sight the tiger, usually in perpetual motion, sits still to behold. Other animals appear along the tiger's route, including birds, a chipmunk, a bear, and even jellyfish in the illustration of the atoll, a formation created by an underwater volcano. The yellow chair's ultimate purpose is revealed, surprisingly and satisfyingly, on the final spread. As entertaining as it is educational, this book has much to offer young naturalists and budding scientists. An appended glossary pictures and briefly describes each geographical feature.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(1) YA Grimes reconstructs her life story from a patchwork of recollections; old photos; and a few artifacts salvaged despite her impoverished family's frequent moves and time in foster care. Mental illness, alcoholism, domestic violence, and sexual abuse made Grime's early life hazardous and traumatic; writing offered solace and confidence. Striking free-verse poems powerfully convey how her passion helped her survive and embrace her own resilience. A must-read for aspiring writers.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(2) PS Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. In this affirmation of self-love for children of color, an exuberant brown-skinned girl recounts many situations in which she puts her "hands up": playing peek-a-boo, striking a pose in ballet, etc. Evans's textured illustrations effectively evoke a bright mood. An author's note articulates McDaniel's choice to reclaim the titular phrase from its negative associations with police encounters. A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while positioning young children as agents of change.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by April Harrison. In this story of giving, James Otis marvels that Mama is contributing to the church's "love box" for a family in need when they have so little themselves. But hearing "what is given from the heart reaches the heart" helps James Otis start thinking differently about what he does have. Detailed, highly textured, strikingly patterned collage illustrations invite readers to linger over the pages and add depth to the characters.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. In this picture-book companion to Park's novel A Long Walk to Water, Nya's little sister Akeer becomes feverish while they're fetching water far from their South Sudan village, and Nya must carry her and the water. Then with her mother, Nya must walk several days to get Akeer medical treatment. A nonfictional ending reinforces the importance of clean water access worldwide. Swirling watercolors aptly portray the topography and the hardship.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(2) K-3 An African American boy walks through his neighborhood holding a basketball, accompanied by a shadowlike silhouette of a kid. At the b-ball court, the shadow pushes the boy to get ready: "Time to put your game face on! Show me your game face!" When it's time for the real game, the boy is ready. Peoples-Riley (This Is It) creates urban landscapes with digitally finished mixed-media collages. For sports enthusiasts who need creative ways to build confidence.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(2) PS After spending the day together, astronomy-obsessed Astrid and her papa drive to pick up Astrid's mother from work--at the space center. Wilson-Max's painterly illustrations convey the warmth and joy of a family of color consisting of an impressively accomplished working mother, a loving father, and a young girl who dreams of reaching for the stars. Informative back matter highlights five female astronauts and a handful of space-flight facts.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(2) K-3 As a little girl and her father make a special birthday cake, Daddy tells her about his own father, Grandpa Cacao, who grew cacao on his farm in the Ivory Coast. When the cake is ready, Mommy announces a surprise visitor: "the best birthday present ever in the world!" Striking patchwork-patterned illustrations point to the importance of traditions to those in the African diaspora. Information about the cacao trade and a recipe are appended.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) PS Grandma Mimi's large patchwork purse always contains treasures: lipstick, perfume, earrings, hairpins, candy, etc. The unnamed narrator claims that everything in the purse is "how Mimi gets to be Mimi," and once the girl uses each item, she declares, "I can be Mimi, too!" The highly textured images in this heartfelt homage depict the daily-ness of African American girlhood with a grandma who brings the magic.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ashley Bryan. Bryan's vibrant, colorful, and moving illustrations accompany a selection of Giovanni's poems (new and previously published). Topics range widely (dance, self-reflection, nature, friendship); illustrations affirm the beauty and worth of black and brown children. Several poems recall slavery and the civil rights movement, providing a historical source of strength and courage. It's a combination of poetry and art that will bring readers back again and again.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Don Tate. Greenfield's zany, free-verse picture book will make you think again about what the vegetables in your fridge might do when you go out: "par-tay!" From the piano-playing eggplant to the string bass–thumping basil, this band of crudités knows how to rock out and the fun is infectious. Tate's vibrant illustrations turn run-of-the-mill veggies into vivacious personalities for this joyful story. A "What Is a Vegetable?" discussion is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. After establishing Martin Luther King Jr.'s characteristics, even in childhood, that would compel him to fight oppression, the poetic narrative jumps to King's thirty-ninth birthday. The remaining poems detail what transpired between February 1968, when sanitation workers went on strike in Memphis, and April 1968, when King was assassinated. Swirling watercolor, gouache, and India-ink illustrations give life and movement to King's story. Timelines. Bib.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018