Brown Girl, Brown Girl
by Leslé Honoré (Author) Cozbi A Cabrera (Illustrator)
This powerful and hopeful picture book--inspired by the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris--celebrates brown and Black girls and is magnificently illustrated by a Caldecott Honor-winning artist.
Brown girl, brown girl, what did you see?
A world that sees my skin before it sees me.
Based on a viral poem by Blaxican poet and activist Leslé Honoré, and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this moving journey through the past, present, and future of brown and Black girls is a celebration of community, creativity, and joy--and offers a reminder of the history that inspires hope, and the hope that inspires activism.
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Publishers Weekly
Honoré's energetic poem-turned- picture book debut offers a contemplative call-and-response-style ode to brown girls everywhere. Opening, a querying line asks, "Brown girl, brown girl, / what did you see?" A page turn later, the answer appears, alongside images of a Black child curled in the fetal position: "a world that sees my skin/ before it sees me." Subsequent lines beginning "brown girl, brown girl" ask, "what did you feel?" and "what did you do?" In scene after scene, striking painterly acrylics by Caldecott Honoree Cabrera picture brown girls of myriad hair textures and skin tones joining together to dance, play, and stand tall. After text asks, "Brown girl, brown girl, / what do you know?" the answer ("That there are strong women/ who want me to grow") attends girls riding bikes by a mural of notable women of color, reflecting the aspirations and limitless possibility of individuals including Kamala Harris, Frida Kahlo, Toni Morrison, and Malala Yousafzai. The response to a final question--"Brown girl, brown girl, / who will you be?"--provides a meaningful vision of the future: "a powerful woman/ who is wonderfully free." An author's note concludes. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Johanna Castillo, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Assoc. (Nov.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Leslé Honoré is a Blaxican poet, activist, and author. She hopes that through her work she can help give voice to people of all ages and backgrounds who are often silenced and unheard and feel invisible. Born and raised in Gardena, California, she remains deeply rooted in the heritage and culture of her father, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and her mother, who was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Leslé lives in Chicago with her three phenomenal children: Sage, Solomon, and Scarlett. She believes that HBCUs, tacos, and gumbo can save the world.
Cozbi A. Cabrera is the author and illustrator of Me & Mama, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor and a Caldecott Honor, and My Hair Is a Garden. Her illustrated titles include Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, Most Loved in All the World by Tonya Cherie Hegamin, Stitchin' and Pullin' a Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia C. McKissack, Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes, and Beauty, Her Basket by Sandra Belton. Her handmade cloth dolls (muñecas) are collected all around the world. She lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter.JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV070000 - Juvenile Fiction | Poetry (see also Stories in Verse)
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Picture books
Stories in rhyme
