I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids

by Nyasha Williams, Sóf'ya Glushkó (Illustrator)

Overview

Learn the power of language and love with this empowering alphabet book of affirmations to inspire and remind Black children of their inner power, strength, and worth. 
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From A is for Afro, to J is for Justice, to R is for Rally, this alphabet book offers affirmations featuring Black children and role models to help children nurture and embrace their authentic selves and to enjoy the magic of childhood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762482788
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	12/05/2023
Pages:	26
Sales rank:	400,262
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

Nyasha Williams grew up living intermittently between the United States and South Africa. She is passionate about good food and good company, exploring new places, and fighting for social justice. She lives in Colorado with her husband.

Sófya Glushkó was born in Russia to an art-loving family. Raised in such a creative atmosphere, she was inspired to become an illustrator. Self-taught, she fell in love with creating children's book illustrations and has never looked back.

Editorial Reviews

"From Afros to Zen, this book serves messages of radical Black love and healing. Determined, joyous, and necessary."—Kirkus Reviews

"This is an inspiring picture book to use with children in the early grades who may have questions about current issues regarding self-concept, appearance, and social action."—Booklist

"I have been going through this with my son one page a day because there is so much to unpack on one page in the words and in the illustrations. They affirm and uplift Black people in such a beautiful way. I love it so much."—Naomi O'Brien, @readlikearockstar

"An uplifting homage to Black potential, resilience, and achievement."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

08/02/2021

Williams delivers a powerful anthem in this abecedarian picture book, presenting a brief paragraph of affirmations beneath capital and lowercase letters on each left-hand page. Simple prose is both straightforward and exacting, firmly asserting the strength and hope inherent in each child: “R is for Rally. I know when I lift another,/ I am raised, too. I am working to build/ a brighter future for all. Love flows/ in and around my community.” On each right-hand page, Glushkó offers a complementary association in fluid, visible digital brushstrokes: facing “C is for Challenge,” four Black football players take a knee, honoring Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racism and police brutality. With differing hairstyles, skin tones, and abilities, the richly varied Black cast wears T-shirts whose slogans offer even more empowerment: “Education, not incarceration,” “I’m rooting for everybody Black,” and “BLK BOY JOY.” An uplifting homage to Black potential, resilience, and achievement. Ages 4–8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

2021-03-17
This appropriately titled picture book aims to encourage self-esteem in young Black readers.

From Afros to Zen, this book serves messages of radical Black love and healing. Each letter has its own spread, both capital and lowercase letters appearing on the verso along with a brief statement that expands on the featured word; opposite is a full-page picture that illustrates it, often expanding the affirmation with its visuals. The Afro picture, for instance, is illustrated by a picture of three Black kids, two in dresses and one in shorts, each wearing their Afros slightly differently—in puffs, with a bow, or unrestrained. They perch on the backs of classroom chairs in front of a chalkboard on which is written diagrams and mathematical equations: These kids take pride in their hair and their brains. Insider knowledge is assumed; “H is for HBCU,” for instance, with no explanation of the initialism deemed necessary. Also understood is the need for affirmation in an unjust world. The “J is for Justice” spread features an illustration of a child holding the scales of justice, the names of Black people who’ve died at the hands of police superimposed on their Afro. The painterly illustrations are sprightly and warm, with rich browns, golden yellows, and deep greens giving a hip, earthy feel that corresponds well with the text. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 52.2% of actual size.)

Determined, joyous, and necessary. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews