Who Are Your People? by Bakari Sellers, Reggie Brown
Published by Quill Tree Books on January 11, 2022
ISBN: 0063082853
Pages: 32
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Who Are Your People is a response to the questions, “Where are you from?” It is a call to African American children to be proud of their roots. The illustrations depict slavery, oppression, and marching, paired with words that focus on the strengths and courage of the people that lived through it.

As the pictorial history is being told to the reader, is it also being told to two children by their father. The story ends with the three family members joining their extended family for a picnic in the current day. Their family includes three generations, with straight and gay couples. The book talks about community, how we build each other up, and “stand on the shoulders” of our ancestors.

This story is uplifting and a good way to start conversations. It would make a nice introduction for older kids, to then research further into each event or person depicted in the illustrious.

The illustrations are a little too cartoony for my taste, but the book is a wonderful celebration of history and has a great message about how to remember the past.

Recommended for ages 4-10.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Children’s Librarian, Rockland Public Library, Rockland, ME