From the Publisher
Praise for We Are Here:
An Amazon's Best Book of 2023
A School Library Journal's Best Book of 2023
* "This awe-inspiring and phenomenal work of art belongs on all shelves." — School Library Journal, starred review
* "A triumphant, encouraging tone permeates the messages to young people of color... asserting recognition and illuminating possibilities for their future." — Horn Book, starred review
* "A powerful narrative about Black yesterdays that have built the foundation for all our tomorrows." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Collaborators Charles and Collier meld pithy, free-verse lines and saturated illustrations to form an empowering treatise that celebrates the Black diaspora across time and space." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"In storytelling dotted with words in Spanish and other languages, laid against Collier’s lush, gem-toned imagery, the book weaves a unifying and empowering narrative of Black people connected across bodies of water, bonded by a common identity..." — Nikkole Hannah-Jones, New York Times Book Review
"A stunning ode to legacies built from the past and those yet to come." — Jacqueline Woodson, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2018–2019)
Praise for All Because You Matter:
An Instant New York Times Bestseller
The #1 Amazon Best Children's Book of 2020
A Best Picture Book of 2020, Chicago Public Library
Barnes & Noble Best Picture Book of 2020
Best Books of 2020 by School Library Journal
Best Books of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews
Best Children's & Teen Books of 2020 by Shelf Awareness
100 Best Books for Kids by NYPL
Best Book of 2020 by NPR
TODAY Favorite Children’s Book of 2020
An ALA Notable Children’s Book 2021
B&N Children's Book Prize of the Year Nomination
Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text
* "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
* " 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
Praise for Muted:
* "Heart-racing... [a] taut and gritty read." — Booklist, starred review
* "Charles’s heartbreaking novel in verse shows the harsh realities of the music industry." — School Library Journal, starred review
"Catapults [readers] toward a breathless, satisfying conclusion." — The Horn Book
Praise for Like Vanessa, by Tami Charles:
* "Readers of all ages and backgrounds will cheer Vanessa on and see themselves in her story. This debut is a treasure: a gift to every middle school girl who ever felt unpretty, unloved, and trapped by her circumstances." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Superb." — Booklist, starred review
* "Like Vanessa is an emotionally potent, engaging young adult story with a heroine whom it is impossible not to root for. The life lessons that Nessy learns are relevant and worthwhile for everyone." — Foreword Reviews, starred review
"Charles's debut novel dexterously interlaces pathos and humor and introduces a refreshing new voice." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
2016 Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner
* "This well-told and exquisitely illustrated story of a musician with a steep career trajectory will inspire young readers to pursue their passions, despite the challenges." — Kirkus Reviews starred review
Praise for Knock Knock, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner
Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year
ALSC Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book Honor
Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Books of the Year
"Bryan Collier's richly textured illustrations and the lyricism of Beaty's text — with its echoes of spoken-word poetry — make this story of bereavement also a story of possibility and beauty." — The New York Times Sunday Book Review
Praise for Martin's Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Honor Book
ALA Notable Children's Book
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
"A stunning, reverent tribute." — School Library Journal
"A courageous testimony, an anthem for our children…simply brilliant." — Kwame Alexander, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Door of No Return and An American Story
"This book is a gift, a powerful mirror for our children to see themselves in. Thank you, Tami Charles and Brian Collier." — Tatyana Ali, actress, director and producer
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2022-11-16
The creators of All Because You Matter (2020) collaborate once more, assuring children of the Black diaspora of their rich cultural heritage.
Charles’ moving free-verse text, addressed to a brown-skinned child wearing a colorful headband, their hair in two puffballs, argues that though so many contributions of Black people have gone unacknowledged, “we have always been heroes.” When it is “your turn / to rule the world, / people will be amazed / and they will question / the power of you.” But, Charles stresses, they should neither marvel nor doubt, because Black people have always been here and have always been amazing. In an illustrator’s note, Collier mentions that the row houses throughout echo those that Georgia artist John Biggers painted of his childhood home. Row houses grace the endpapers and serve as the backdrop for many scenes showcasing Black people’s contributions to music, activism, fashion, politics, food, astronomy, and more, not just throughout American history, but world history as well. Many of the people Collier illustrates are recognizably famous, like Martin Luther King Jr., after whom more than 1,000 streets have been named, and others ought to be, like Chicago blues musician Howlin’ Wolf. Collier’s signature painterly collage and watercolor images abound in color, texture, and patterning that beautifully reflect Black diversity. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A powerful narrative about Black yesterdays that have built the foundation for all our tomorrows. (biographical notes, glossary, author’s notes) (Picture book. 3-8)
