We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices.  Finished 3-5-20, children’s non-fiction, 4.5/5 stars, 96 pages, pub. 2018

Fifty of the foremost diverse children’s authors and illustrators–including Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and Kwame Alexander–share answers to the question, “In this divisive world, what shall we tell our children?” in this beautiful, full-color keepsake collection, published in partnership with Just Us Books.

What do we tell our children when the world seems bleak, and prejudice and racism run rampant? With 96 lavishly designed pages of original art and prose, fifty diverse creators lend voice to young activists.

Featuring poems, letters, personal essays, art, and other works from such industry leaders as Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming), Jason Reynolds (All American Boys), Kwame Alexander (The Crossover), Andrea Pippins (I Love My Hair), Sharon Draper (Out of My Mind), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Ellen Oh (cofounder of We Need Diverse Books), and artists Ekua Holmes, Rafael Lopez, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, and more, this anthology empowers the nation’s youth to listen, learn, and build a better tomorrow.      from Goodreads

So much love in and for this kid’s book!  First, it’s just gorgeous.  The cover is great and each 1-3 page entry is illustrated by a different talented illustrator.  Just flipping through the book, before even reading a word, you will be drawn in.

This treasury was started after the 2016 election and the editors saw how distraught their grand-niece and other kids were.  How they felt all of the hate spewing down on the marginalized and they were scared, confused, and worried.  This is a book to comfort, inspire, and motivate.

The stories and poems included this this collection are a joy to read.  There are personal stories, advice, and poems.  I have a list of favorites and I’ll share a few.  I’m so glad that this was on our library’s recommended list for winter.  Be sure to check it out.  It’s so beautiful you might even want a copy to keep not only for the kids in your life, but for you!