NOVEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
An author’s note in this audiobook shares that this story, inspired by her son, is intended as a conversation starter about racial injustice. The vibrant sound of author/narrator Tami Charles’s voice is underscored by bouncy music. Long pauses between phrases help emphasize their meaning, and a chime alerts listeners to page turns. Charles affirms and reaffirms her son’s importance, despite instances that might cause him to “question his place.” Such instances include feeling uncomfortable in a classroom or hearing upsetting news stories. This audiobook provides a powerful offering to a young Black boy about his worth as it confirms and reconfirms that he matters. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 08/31/2020
Caldecott Honoree Collier’s (Trombone Shorty) tender, close-up watercolor portraits of a growing Black boy give visual power to this celebration of young Black lives. In an author’s note, Charles (Freedom Soup) writes about “The Big Talk”—words that every Black parent must speak to their child about discrimination and violence. Lyrical verse that aims to offer “a starting point for conversations about the racial climate in our country” underlines an important message: “you, dear child, matter.” Beginning with his birth and a spread of the boy toddling into his mother’s arms, text invokes his history and familial legacy: “you were dreamed of,/ like a knapsack/ full of wishes/ carried on the backs/ of your ancestors/ as they created/ empires,/ pyramids,/ legacies.” As a schoolchild in a green T-shirt, he faces hurdles: academic efforts go unrewarded, classmates jeer, “another name is called:/ Trayvon,/ Tamir,/ Philando.” Alongside these realities, Charles delivers a ringing affirmation of his life’s meaning—“Did you know that... strength, power, and/ beauty lie within you?”—as Collier shows the boy straight on, surrounded by collaged images of his ancestry. Universal declarations are often illustrated with images of many children; this book’s focus on a single child brings his experience and life—and the ways they matter—right up close. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for All Because You Matter:
* "Two accomplished creators invite Black children to take up their spaces in the world... the journey from beginning to end of the book sends a message that is nurturing, nourishing, loving, and reassuring, expanding and deepening the words of the movement it echoes. Collier's trademark paint-and-collage illustrations use petal shapes with patterns and faces, blue and brown hues, and family scenes and close-ups to embody the child's growth within affectionate circles of family, community, and universe. A gem for every household." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "A richly illustrated affirmation for Black children-especially boys... Stunning. Powerful. Timely. Illustrated inspiration at its best." — Horn Book, starred review
* "Caldecott Honoree Collier's (Trombone Shorty) tender, close-up watercolor portraits of a growing Black boy give visual power to this celebration of young Black lives. In an author's note, Charles (Freedom Soup) writes about "The Big Talk"-words that every Black parent must speak to their child about discrimination and violence. Lyrical verse that aims to offer "a starting point for conversations about the racial climate in our country" underlines an important message: "you, dear child, matter."... As a schoolchild in a green T-shirt, he faces hurdles: academic efforts go unrewarded, classmates jeer, "another name is called:/ Trayvon,/ Tamir,/ Philando." Alongside these realities, Charles delivers a ringing affirmation of his life's meaning-"Did you know that... strength, power, and/ beauty lie within you?"-as Collier shows the boy straight on, surrounded by collaged images of his ancestry. Universal declarations are often illustrated with images of many children; this book's focus on a single child brings his experience and life-and the ways they matter-right up close." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"All Because You Matter is a powerful, poetic manifesto that is required reading for every family in America." — BookPage
"A powerful tale in a broken world, this will give children hope and parents comfort... a very timely story and a wonderful addition to school and public libraries."— School Library Journal
"A title sure to be frequented by not only Black children but any child looking for a kind word and confidence boost." — Booklist
Praise for Like Vanessa, by Tami Charles:
* "Readers of all ages and backgrounds will cheer Vanessa on and see themselves in her story. This debut is a treasure: a gift to every middle school girl who ever felt unpretty, unloved, and trapped by her circumstances." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Superb." — Booklist, starred review
* "Like Vanessa is an emotionally potent, engaging young adult story with a heroine whom it is impossible not to root for. The life lessons that Nessy learns are relevant and worthwhile for everyone." — Foreword Reviews, starred review
"Charles's debut novel dexterously interlaces pathos and humor and introduces a refreshing new voice." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
2016 Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner
* "This well-told and exquisitely illustrated story of a musician with a steep career trajectory will inspire young readers to pursue their passions, despite the challenges." — Kirkus Reviews starred review
Praise for Knock Knock, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner
Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year
ALSC Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book Honor
Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Books of the Year
"Bryan Collier's richly textured illustrations and the lyricism of Beaty's text—with its echoes of spoken-word poetry—make this story of bereavement also a story of possibility and beauty." — The New York Times Sunday Book Review
Praise for Martin's Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Honor Book
ALA Notable Children's Book
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
"A stunning, reverent tribute." — School Library Journal
School Library Journal
08/14/2020
K-Gr 3—A touching and uplifting story about a child of color being told by his parents how he matters. A Black couple who are expecting a child begin to speak to the baby while still in the womb about how his life matters. As the child grows, poetic text reveals that "stars sprayed across the sky" and that he comes from descendants of kings and queens. As he becomes a toddler and his mother reads to him, he sees in the pages of the story characters and images of children like him. Beautiful collages carry the messages of "you matter," not to give up despite adversity, and that "beauty and strength is within you." A powerful tale in a broken world, this will give children hope and parents comfort. VERDICT Like Kristina Evans's What's Special About Me, Mama? this also depicts a mother speaking to a child of color about his worth; a very timely story and a wonderful addition to school and public libraries.—Annmarie Braithwaite, New York P.L., New York City
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2020-09-01
Two accomplished creators invite Black children to take up their spaces in the world.
Charles’ lyrical text addresses “you, dear child,” in the voice of a loving caregiver, recounting how the world anticipated and prepared for the child’s existence. The child was “dreamed of, / like a knapsack / full of wishes / carried on the backs / of your ancestors,” who worked and built, “because to them, / you always mattered.” The word “matter” is used in both ways: as a noun, as the child is made up of the same stuff that makes up the universe, and as a verb, because “strength, power and beauty / lie within,” even though the world will sometimes make the child question whether “they, / or you, / will ever matter.” The universe made room for “you, / your people, / their dreams, / your future,” Charles assures the child. The protesters (“take a breath, / take a stand, / take a knee”) and victims of racist violence (“Trayvon, / Tamir, / Philando”) are mentioned explicitly without becoming the focus; the journey from beginning to end of the book sends a message that is nurturing, nourishing, loving, and reassuring, expanding and deepening the words of the movement it echoes. Collier’s trademark paint-and-collage illustrations use petal shapes with patterns and faces, blue and brown hues, and family scenes and close-ups to embody the child’s growth within affectionate circles of family, community, and universe.
A gem for every household. (author's note, illustrator's note) (Picture book. 5-10)
