Keith Mallett – illustratör

A long overdue book that lyrically celebrates and teaches positive associations with two of the most important colors on Earth, black and brown. Have you ever paused to savor the power and beauty of brown and black? Brown is strong as a tree and sweet as honey in tea; black is the hopeful promise of a seed and the grace of a bird in flight... and the quiet space where dreams begin.In this groundbreaking picture book, poetic text and lush imagery celebrates two essential colors that capture all the richness and depth life, love, and the natural world have to offer.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.In 1900, in Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. It has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations.Inspired by this song’s enduring significance, Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett tell a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song’s inspiring words.

Agnes can hardly contain her excitement! She’s headed to the March on Washington. Sitting on her father’s shoulders, she’s awed by the sea of people—people of every colour, gathered together to be a part of the fight for equal rights for Black people. She soaks in the words of John Lewis and Josephine Baker and is mesmerised by Mahalia Jackson’s singing. Then Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives a speech about his dreams for his children—for all children. On the bus ride home, Agnes has her own dream: that the words of Dr. King would be heard and embraced by the whole world.

“What a beautiful gift of a narrative this is. So much love on every page. A fabulous celebration of the brilliance of Black boys.” —JACQUELINE WOODSON, author of the New York Times bestseller The Day You BeginAn empowering picture book celebrating Black boys everywhere--acknowledging their strengths, recognizing the hurdles they face, and encouraging them to forge ahead with confidencePowerful words and radiant art come together in this stunning picture book that celebrates the beauty, talent, and dignity of Black boys. Featuring a variety of boys with a wide range of dreams, this uplifting book reflects a rich tapestry of identities. We see our boys as they make their way in the world, overcome hurdles, and hold a treasured place in the lives of their families and communities—and the greatness within each and every one of them shines through.

Ona Judge was enslaved by the Washingtons, and served the President's wife, Martha. Ona was widely known for her excellent skills as a seamstress, and was raised alongside Washington’s grandchildren. Indeed, she was frequently mistaken for his granddaughter. This biography follows her childhood and adolescence until she decides to run away.This book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of slavery, nor the complex role of house servants. Author Ray Anthony Shepard implicates the reader in Ona’s decision to emancipate herself by using a rhetorical refrain, “Why you run, Ona Judge?” This haunting meditation welcomes meaningful and necessary conversation among readers. Illustrator Keith Mallett’s rich paintings include fabric collage and add further feeling and majesty to Ona’s daring escape.