Description
Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.
Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
Nancy Paulsen Books (2020), Edition: Illustrated, 32 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member villemezbrown
Annual Goodreads Choice Awards reading project: Read all the Picture Book nominees! (3 of 15)
I am not a fan of picture books whose sole purpose is to be inspirational, and indeed I am not a fan of inspirational books in general. I prefer a story or humor over a string of statements and metaphors,
I am not a fan of picture books whose sole purpose is to be inspirational, and indeed I am not a fan of inspirational books in general. I prefer a story or humor over a string of statements and metaphors,
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no matter how sincere or well intentioned. Nice pictures though. Show Less
LibraryThing member deslivres5
The visual textures of the painted illustrations drew me in, but oh my: the poetry of the work had me teary-eyed, especially after seeing the dedication page. Self-affirming and definitely a book to be read AND to be read out loud.
LibraryThing member melodyreads
Beautiful art; beautiful text; beautiful book
LibraryThing member nbmars
This book is dedicated to Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, EJ Bradford, Jordan Edwards, Michael Brown, Jordan Davis, and Julian Mallory. Author Derrick Barnes explained in an interview:
“I thought about all of the people who care about those young men that I dedicated the book to, and all of the Black
Each page shows black and brown children celebrating what is good about them, things that are in fact what are good about all children.
“I am skateboard tricks,
Scraped knees and
elbows.”
“I am kind and polite, like, ‘yes, ma’am,’ and ‘yes, sir,’
Helping my grandmother cross the street, and
Saying ‘bless you’ when a stranger
Has to sneeze.”
“I am Saturday mornings in the summertime.”
“I am that smile forming on your face right now.”
The book then segues into a section perhaps more meaningful for children of color:
“Although I am something like a superhero,
Every now and then,
I am afraid.
I am not what they might call me,
And I will not answer to any name
That is not my own.
I am what I say I am.”
The book ends with a stirring affirmation:
“I am worthy of success, of respect, of safety, of kindness, of happiness.
And without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved. I am worthy to be loved.”
Illustrator Gordon C. James, recipient of a number of honors for his art work, shows children doing homework, playing, studying, spending time with their families, loved and being loved, all in richly colored oil paintings.
In an interview, James said:
“I made a running list of everything that embodies the emotions, actions, goals, desires, strengths and weaknesses of my own sons. Every tangible and intangible quality covers a broad spectrum of what it means to be a little boy—maybe riding his bike without training wheels for the first time, or a teenager who somebody prays for at night. I wanted for young readers reader to see themselves in all of these emotions and scenes, and for parents to see these boys the way they see their own children.”
Evaluation: Self-esteem and confidence are the main themes of this ode to children, especially all the black and brown boys who may experience fear and self-doubt in the face of race-based cruelty and injustice.
“I thought about all of the people who care about those young men that I dedicated the book to, and all of the Black
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and Brown boys who just want to grow up and be somebody, who just want to live in a world where they are not criminalized or seen as an adult as soon as they gain some size and height, around ages 11 and 12.”Each page shows black and brown children celebrating what is good about them, things that are in fact what are good about all children.
“I am skateboard tricks,
Scraped knees and
elbows.”
“I am kind and polite, like, ‘yes, ma’am,’ and ‘yes, sir,’
Helping my grandmother cross the street, and
Saying ‘bless you’ when a stranger
Has to sneeze.”
“I am Saturday mornings in the summertime.”
“I am that smile forming on your face right now.”
The book then segues into a section perhaps more meaningful for children of color:
“Although I am something like a superhero,
Every now and then,
I am afraid.
I am not what they might call me,
And I will not answer to any name
That is not my own.
I am what I say I am.”
The book ends with a stirring affirmation:
“I am worthy of success, of respect, of safety, of kindness, of happiness.
And without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved. I am worthy to be loved.”
Illustrator Gordon C. James, recipient of a number of honors for his art work, shows children doing homework, playing, studying, spending time with their families, loved and being loved, all in richly colored oil paintings.
In an interview, James said:
“I made a running list of everything that embodies the emotions, actions, goals, desires, strengths and weaknesses of my own sons. Every tangible and intangible quality covers a broad spectrum of what it means to be a little boy—maybe riding his bike without training wheels for the first time, or a teenager who somebody prays for at night. I wanted for young readers reader to see themselves in all of these emotions and scenes, and for parents to see these boys the way they see their own children.”
Evaluation: Self-esteem and confidence are the main themes of this ode to children, especially all the black and brown boys who may experience fear and self-doubt in the face of race-based cruelty and injustice.
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
This book gets accolades because it deserves them. It reads like poetry, and looks like love. The illustrations and words together paint a picture of a young, strong, person of color. This book pertains to everyone, but it is not seen enough for young black boys. This is their book, this is their
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chance to be seen and heard. This is just one of what will hopefully will become many. Show Less
LibraryThing member deldevries
Beautifully illustrated and a well told story of self worth and self esteem. Excellent!
Awards
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Picture Books — 2020)
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor — Picture Book — 2021)
Kirkus Prize (Finalist — Young Readers' Literature — 2020)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Picturebook — 2022)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Picture Books — 2020)
Monarch Award (Nominee — 2022)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Nominee — 2022)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — Young Readers — 2023)
Southern Book Prize (Winner — Children's — 2021)
North Carolina Children's Book Award (Nominee — Picture Book — 2024)
Rhode Island Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2022)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2021)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Picture Books — 2022)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Primary — 2022)
Mind the Gap Awards (2021)
Hampshire Book Awards (Shortlist — 2021)
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — Young Readers — 2021)
CYBILS Awards (Winner — 2020)
Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award (Honor Book — 2021)
BCALA Children & Young Adult Literary Awards (Winner — Fiction — 2021)
Ladybug Picture Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Charlotte Huck Award (Winner — 2021)
Star of the North Picture Book Award (Nominee — 2022)
Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (Nominee — 2022)
Iowa Goldfinch Award (Nominee — 2022)
NPR: Books We Love (2020)
CCBC Choices (2021)
Notable Children's Book (2021)
Picture This Recommendation List (Fiction — 2021)
Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids (Picture Books — 2020)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Picture Books — 2020)
Texas 2x2 Reading List (2021)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020
Physical description
11.25 inches
ISBN
0525518770 / 9780525518778