All Because You Matter

Description “A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will, from powerhouse rising star author Tami Charles and esteemed, award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier. The #1 Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2020 A Chicago Public Library and New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2020 A TODAY’s Favorite Children’s Books of 2020 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 Hardcover 40 pages Ages 5-10