Watch Me: A Story of Immigration and Inspiration

by Doyin Richards, Joe Cepeda (Illustrator)

Overview

A picture book about immigration, Watch Me is based on the author's father's own story.

Joe came to America from Africa when he was young. He worked hard in school, made friends, and embraced his new home. Like so many immigrants before and after him, Joe succeeded when many thought he would fail.

In telling the story of how his father came to America, Doyin Richards tells the story of many immigrants, and opens the experience up to readers of all backgrounds. Here is a moving and empowering story of how many different people, from different places, make us great. Acclaimed artist Joe Cepeda brings the story to life with beautiful paintings, full of heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250820235
Publisher:	Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:	01/12/2021
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	990,435
File size:	64 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Doyin Richards is one of the most respected voices on modern fatherhood today. He's also founder of Daddy Doin' Work, author of the picture book I Wonder: Celebrating Daddies Doin' Work, What's the Difference, and Daddy Doin' Work: Empowering Mothers to Evolve Fatherhood. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two daughters.

Joe Cepeda was born and raised in East Los Angeles. Joe’s journey through college began with studying engineering at Cornell and finished with a BFA in Illustration from Long Beach State. Months from leaving school, Joe went to New York and secured a book contract after his first meeting with a publisher. He’s now the award-winning illustrator of more than thirty books for children, including Nappy Hair, Swing Sisters, and Peeny Butter Fudge.

Doyin Richards is a father, husband, writer, consultant, and public speaker inspiring mothers and fathers to think, laugh, and learn while evolving as parents and couples. He is the author of the popular parenting blog Daddy Doin' Work, and the book, Daddy Doin' Work: Empowering Mothers to Evolve Fatherhood, and has appeared on nationally broadcast television shows including the Today show and Good Morning America. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two daughters.
Joe Cepeda was born and raised in East Los Angeles. Joe’s journey through college began with studying engineering at Cornell and finished with a BFA in Illustration from Long Beach State. Months from leaving school, Joe went to New York and secured a book contract after his first meeting with a publisher. He’s now the award-winning illustrator of more than thirty books for children, including the Pura Belpré honor book Juan Bobo Goes to Work, written by Marisa Montes.

Editorial Reviews

★ 01/11/2021

In an inviting, conversational tone, Richards introduces Joe, who is from Sierra Leone and wants to study in America. Family and friends warn Joe that he will be derided for his dark skin and West African accent. But Joe isn’t fazed, and Richards employs the refrain “watch me” as Joe considers returning home in the face of white Americans’ contempt—but decides to tough it out, and succeeds. Employing a compelling narrative voice (“But Joe’s dreams didn’t hang out with ‘safe’ and ‘easy’ ”), Richards directs readers to recognize similarities they may share with Joe (who “had goals and dreams, like you”), and, regardless of readers’ citizenship, to open their eyes to immigrants (“They come by plane. Perhaps like you./ They come by boat. Maybe you did, too./ Watch them. See them”). The narrative’s affect deepens when the unnamed narrator reveals his relationship to Joe. Cepeda’s scumbled sunlit paintings, created with oil over acrylic on board, emphasize warmth and openness. A personal story with universal impact. Ages 3–5. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

A BookRiot Best Picture Book of 2021 So Far

"In an inviting, conversational tone, Richards introduces Joe, who is from Sierra Leone and wants to study in America. Family and friends warn Joe that he will be derided for his dark skin and West African accent. But Joe isn’t fazed, and Richards employs the refrain “watch me” as Joe considers returning home in the face of white Americans’ contempt—but decides to tough it out, and succeeds. .. A personal story with universal impact." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Such an important piece of work in the current world. ... A recommended immigration story. The message for children is not to give up, even when everyone else has." —School Library Journal

"In this “American dream” story, a heartfelt tribute to his father, Richards directly calls upon readers to recognize the similarities they may have with young Joe, a boy from Sierra Leone who had big dreams and the will to fulfill them despite many obstacles....Richards urges readers to look around and notice how people treat one another and to pay attention to the nuances, which are captured in Cepeda’s evocative illustrations of facial expressions and clever composition. Bold, fresh, and contemporary, the images carry the emotional weight of the deceptively simple narrative." — Booklist

Praise for I Wonder:

"Dads (and kids) of all types should find Richards’s message deeply reassuring and relatable." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[A] powerful book for children celebrating differences. ...In Richards’s words: “take a look at yourself. Your friends may not look like you, and that’s a good thing. Because when it comes to love, keep showing that there really is no difference.” A ... perfect read-aloud for young students."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

03/12/2021

PreS-Gr 1—Doyin's retelling of her father's journey from his African home to America is such an important piece of work in the current world. The book shows children what it is like having lived in a foreign country and converting to a new life. So many people, even teachers, doubted her father Joe, but he still succeeded and became a doctor. When faced with challenges, he concluded by saying "Watch me." He did not give up, nor did he back down. Wordless pages in-between the text pages show images like the picnic and changing colors of a city park. The visuals will be helpful and inspiring to young children. Some of the text rhymes and makes it easy for children to follow along. VERDICT A recommended immigration story. The message for children is not to give up, even when everyone else has.—Amy Lukich, Tinley Park P.L., IL

School Library Journal