A School Library Journal Best Book of 2025
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2025
A beautiful, bold collection of more than 100 dazzling poems by Black poets for the whole family to treasure.
Discover classic favorites and new stars. This gorgeously illustrated children's anthology is the perfect introduction to poets such as Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, Benjamin Zephaniah, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Amanda Gorman, Caleb Femi, and Joseph Coelho, and also features brand-new work by poets Nikki Grimes, Carole Boston Weatherford, and others.
Lovingly compiled by award-winning picture book writer and editor Traci N. Todd, this collection touches on a wide range of themes-hope and struggle, joy and pride, home and food, music and family. Each poem is paired with vibrant, inviting illustrations by Jade Orlando.
This beautiful gift book is a remarkable and moving tribute to the rich literary history and bright future of Black writing.
About the Author :
Traci N. Todd is a children's book editor and an award-winning author whose work centers on Black culture and social justice. She is the author of Nina: A Story of Nina Simone, illustrated by Christian Robinson, among several other books for children, and is a proud native Chicagoan, currently living in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Jade Orlando was born in North Carolina and grew up in a tiny Michigan town. She has illustrated many children's books, including I'm Going to Be a Princess and A Year of Black Joy: Black Voices Share Their Life Passions. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, greyhound, and four cats (including two naked ones!).
Review :
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Well, THAT'S badass!
The name Traci N. Todd raising some memories for you? That's probably because she wrote that incredible picture book biography of Nina Simone, Nina, a couple years ago. Now she pairs with Jade Orlando to present this anthology of poetry, which features both new and classic voices from all over the world. And it's not all old stuff! There are a few poems that will be published for the very first time, one of them being "Good Trouble" by Nikki Grimes about book bans. As such, consider this a perfect book for back-to-school time.
--Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production
One hundred poems, compiled by Todd, showcase the culture and joy of Blackness. Poets of the
past, such as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, and more contemporary voices, such as
Renée Watson and Amanda Gorman, highlight the Black experience through verse and rich
watercolor illustrations. From a mermaid that is as beautiful as she is dangerous to constellations
that form famous Black people in history, the artwork is as memorable as the poems. The poems
spotlight several facets of the Black experience including the African diaspora, segregation, the
importance of the Black family, and even Black hair care. Some poems focus on the real
struggles of Black youth--for instance, the adultification of Black youth by police--while others
focus on the realm of myth with the story of Anancy. People are illustrated in all shades of brown
and black with hair of various types and textures. Poetry forms range from haiku to free verse,
with many styles in between. An introduction sets the scene for the anthology, while an afterword
explains the cultural significance of several of the poems. This collection of poems can be
enjoyed by children and adults alike. (Starred Review)
--Ashley Leffel, Booklist
Poems by authors ranging from Langston Hughes to Nikki Grimes focus on Black experiences. From the loving comfort of a grandma braiding a child's hair to the terror of being a 13-year-old stopped by a cop on the street, the poems cover African gods, historical figures, the environment, and everyday activities, with an emphasis on Black joy. Each spread incorporates one to three poems into full-color, watercolor illustrations. The drawings explode with exuberance, showing people in varying shades of black and brown: children dressed for Carnival dancing on a rainbow; a stunning negative space drawing with the silhouette of a girl filled with nature scenes, flanked by poems on either side; and a few drawings showing only nature or animals. The afterword is divided into two sections; one on culture and connection discusses the African diaspora, while the other focuses on civil rights movements in the United States and United Kingdom. Both sections provide insight and details on some of the poems selected. Indexes by author, title, and first lines of the poems make it easy to locate a specific poem or poet. VERDICT A strong first buy. This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black. (Starred Review)--Tamara Saarinen, School Library Journal
"One hundred poems, compiled by Todd, showcase the culture and joy of Blackness. . . [and] highlight the Black experience through verse and rich watercolor illustrations. . . The artwork is as memorable as the poems." (Starred Review)--Ashley Leffel, Booklist
"A strong first buy. This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black." (Starred Review)--Tamara Saarinen, School Library Journal
"Consider this a perfect book for back-to-school time."--Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production
