Carmen Bogan – författare

A Junior Library Guild SelectionRodney is that kid who just can’t sit still. He's inside, but he wants to be outside. Outside is where Rodney always wants to be. Between school and home, there is a park. He knows all about that park. It’s that triangle-shaped place with the yellow grass and two benches where grown-ups sit around all day. Besides, his momma said to stay away from that park. When Rodney finally gets a chance to go to a real park, with plenty of room to run and climb and shout, and to just be himself, he will never be the same.

“A lovely book celebrating nature and Black voices enjoying nature.” —BookRiot, "Riot Recommendations" Tasha is a girl who has trouble using her voice to speak in school or to even make a friend. Then her class visits a park, the best park ever. With the help of an encouraging park ranger, an understanding teacher, two new companions, and a tiny turtle, Tasha finds connection with others and her own voice.This story takes place on the same class trip featured in Carmen Bogan's and Floyd Cooper's groundbreaking Where’s Rodney?, once again showing the power of nature to transform a child.Beloved illustrator Floyd Cooper began the artwork for this book; his illustration mentee Daria Peoples finished them. In the back of the book, readers will learn how the book was completed following Cooper's passing in 2021 and will find two of his original sketches.

A Black boy’s transformative day out in nature, recommended by Social Justice Books and We Are Kid Lit CollectiveRodney is that kid who just can’t sit still. He's inside, but he wants to be outside. Outside is where Rodney always wants to be. Between school and home, there is a park. He knows all about that park. It’s that triangle-shaped place with the yellow grass and two benches where grown-ups sit around all day. Besides, his momma said to stay away from that park. When Rodney finally gets a chance to go to a real park, with plenty of room to run and climb and shout, and to just be himself, he will never be the same.