Alicia D. Williams

Iwish we didn’t need books like this. But we do. This book is not just for Black and Brown people. It’s for all people.

It is possible that you’ve never heard of The Talk that Black and Brown families have with their children. If so, take a look at the video below where Trevor Noah does a good job of summarizing it on The Daily Show (I’ll wait).

Now that you’re back, let’s talk about this picturebook. It’s soul crushing.

Uchendu, in stunning, mournful illustrations that highlight a purple/beige/brown palette takes us through the life of Jay, a little boy we watch grow up into a young man. Together, Jay and his friends engage in the everyday activities that kids do; they hangout, run, and play. Uchendu captures the joy of everyday life as Jay interacts with his family–providing facial expressions that vividly transition as Jay gets older, from that happiness of young childhood, to the growing concern of the tween years.… (altro)