Praise for We Shall Overcome:
A Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Book of 2021
* "This thoughtful work of art comes together with beauty and meaning." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Uplifting and inspiring, with plenty of history for those who are ready, this makes a welcome addition to civil rights picture books." — Booklist, starred review
* “Illustrating lyrics of the civil rights protest anthem “We Shall Overcome,” Collier (All Because You Matter) demonstrates the song’s continuing significance, layering dynamic, vibrantly hued images of a contemporary Black girl’s day-to-day with grayscale drawings of meaningful events in Black history—and drawing a direct link between them.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"In this electrifying picture book, a famous gospel anthem connects the past and the present as it is reimagined with beautiful contemporary artwork." — Shelf Awareness
Praise for All Because You Matter, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
* "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
* "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
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
★ 2021-07-30
Award-winning illustrator Collier sets images of the present and the past against the text of a beloved song.
Lyrics of “We Shall Overcome,” a song associated with the 1960s-era civil rights movement, are printed in orange capital letters against a strip of brown background along the bottom of each spread. The pictures tell stories, juxtaposing present-day scenes and children in full color against significant events and sites of past struggle in black and white. Endmatter explains the significance of said sites and scenes for those who may not know: the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Rosa Parks sitting down on a bus, children integrating schools. The opening spreads feature a school-age Black child rising and getting ready for the day with a smile; the middle spreads show the child arriving at school and learning with a multiracial group of peers, a Black teacher at the head of the class. Final spreads show the child walking by a street being painted with Black Lives Matter in yellow, then small crowds standing together and painting a mural together. Collier uses collage with a multitude of faces and layers to place the times and movements in relationship, creating a powerful opportunity for comparison, reflection, and discussion about the past and present. The opening and closing spreads with the smiling child offer the hopeful message Collier reinforces in his note.
This thoughtful work of art comes together with beauty and meaning. (historical note, illustrator's note) (Picture book. 3-10)
