We Are Here

Starred review from December 19, 2022
In this follow-up to All Because You Matter, collaborators Charles and Collier meld pithy, free-verse lines and saturated illustrations to form an empowering treatise that celebrates the Black diaspora across time and space. Attending images of a Black child whose pigtail puffs are shown as holding elements of the universe, early lines focus on individual promise (“We are the seeds,/ you and me”) contextualized against history (“From brick and grit,/ we built this place”). Subsequent pages visualize Black figures—including Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Anderson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters—taking part in activism, fashion, food production, and music: “We are intercontinental,/ can’t you see?.../ Trend-setters,/ Go-getters,.../ multidialectal,/ oh-so-intellectual.” Stunning watercolor and collage art—inspired, per a creator’s note, by a John Biggers painting of shotgun houses—juxtaposes the structures and other patterned elements to create a shining, surreal dimensionality that supports the book’s affirming conceit: “We are fearless, more than we know... Because you and me have always been heroes.” Back matter includes creators’ notes, and contextualizes figures and contributions discussed. Ages 4–8.

January 1, 2023
Grades K-3 We Are Here continues the affirming message of All Because You Matter (2020) with just as much impassioned pride and love. In short, this book is a lyrical and visual masterpiece that celebrates Black creativity, work, activism, and sacrifice, in the past, present, and future. The poem flows through notable Black achievements, often referenced figuratively and made specific in the illustrations. As such, the book is well suited for a shared reading experience between adults and children. In this way, adults who recognize references to historical elements such as the jazz and blues musicians, culinary and artistic contributions, and so on can make the connections clear for children. Younger readers will likely recognize the images of BLM marches and George Floyd and contemporary musical and fashion trends. We Are Here is a book to be savored, reread, performed aloud, and whispered to a friend. The back matter includes descriptions of the contributions referred to in the poem, and the author and illustrator notes provide context for their creative choices.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from March 24, 2023

K-Gr 2-Charles and Collier have created a luminous companion to All Because You Matter. The collaborators trace the journey of Black excellence, from the beginning of time to present day, and joyously celebrate how Black people have been an indelible part of humanity's history all over the globe. Highlighting contributions, such as different genres of music to fashion to civil rights leaders to the George Floyd protests, the unnamed narrator encourages a Black girl in pink who is seen throughout and is a stand-in for all Black children. Charles's poetic text emphasizes the pride that she should have in herself and her lineage. "Because/ you and me, we have always been heroes./ The same ones who/ sat to take a stand, / the ones who ran/ so we could fly." With the turn of every page, readers will encounter a feast for the eyes. Collier's collage and watercolor renderings capture both cultural innovations and the history of protest and struggle. Georgia row houses, circles, and a pink balloon are motifs throughout, anchors for children as they pore over the intricate pages. Back matter includes short biographies of Black historical figures (such as Muddy Waters, Marian Anderson, and more) as well as their notable contributions to culture, glossary, and notes from Charles and Collier. VERDICT This awe-inspiring and phenomenal work of art belongs on all shelves.-Shelley M. Diaz

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2022
The creators of All Because You Matter (2020) collaborate once more, assuring children of the Black diaspora of their rich cultural heritage. Charles' moving free-verse text, addressed to a brown-skinned child wearing a colorful headband, their hair in two puffballs, argues that though so many contributions of Black people have gone unacknowledged, "we have always been heroes." When it is "your turn / to rule the world, / people will be amazed / and they will question / the power of you." But, Charles stresses, they should neither marvel nor doubt, because Black people have always been here and have always been amazing. In an illustrator's note, Collier mentions that the row houses throughout echo those that Georgia artist John Biggers painted of his childhood home. Row houses grace the endpapers and serve as the backdrop for many scenes showcasing Black people's contributions to music, activism, fashion, politics, food, astronomy, and more, not just throughout American history, but world history as well. Many of the people Collier illustrates are recognizably famous, like Martin Luther King Jr., after whom more than 1,000 streets have been named, and others ought to be, like Chicago blues musician Howlin' Wolf. Collier's signature painterly collage and watercolor images abound in color, texture, and patterning that beautifully reflect Black diversity. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A powerful narrative about Black yesterdays that have built the foundation for all our tomorrows. (biographical notes, glossary, author's notes) (Picture book. 3-8)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from March 1, 2023
Charles says in her appended note that this book, its companion All Because You Matter (rev. 11/20), and a planned forthcoming title are intended to "affirm, celebrate, and confirm the power and greatness that lie within all our children." Here, her poignant text addresses the Black girl featured in Collier's bold and expressive collage and watercolor illustrations. Both text and art share the rich legacies of Black and brown people whose contributions have helped shape fields of science, music, social justice, fashion, and food. The empowering images incorporate historical figures including Marian Anderson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (five brief bios are appended). A triumphant, encouraging tone permeates the messages to young people of color ("We are seeds, / you and me, / roots thick / with dreams / and stars / and possibilities"; "You are / brilliant, / extraordinary, / far-beyond-ordinary"), asserting recognition and illuminating possibilities for their future. Collier's visual imagery captures the narrative perfectly, suggesting wonderment, reflection, strength, and self-love. A glossary and author and illustrator notes conclude this celebratory offering. Pauletta Brown Bracy

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2023
Charles says in her appended note that this book, its companion All Because You Matter (rev. 11/20), and a planned forthcoming title are intended to "affirm, celebrate, and confirm the power and greatness that lie within all our children." Here, her poignant text addresses the Black girl featured in Collier's bold and expressive collage and watercolor illustrations. Both text and art share the rich legacies of Black and brown people whose contributions have helped shape fields of science, music, social justice, fashion, and food. The empowering images incorporate historical figures including Marian Anderson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (five brief bios are appended). A triumphant, encouraging tone permeates the messages to young people of color ("We are seeds, / you and me, / roots thick / with dreams / and stars / and possibilities"; "You are / brilliant, / extraordinary, / far-beyond-ordinary"), asserting recognition and illuminating possibilities for their future. Collier's visual imagery captures the narrative perfectly, suggesting wonderment, reflection, strength, and self-love. A glossary and author and illustrator notes conclude this celebratory offering.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)