We Are Free, You and Me

PreS-Gr 2--Everyone not only has the right to be free, but also has the right to be empowered in that freedom. Created by the husband-and-wife team behind Know Your Rights Camp (KYRC), this book is a love letter to all children, and its intent is to inspire and encourage youth to stand up for their rights in every situation. Using colorful imagery and poetic language, this title follows a family whose members all have brown skin throughout a day in their welcoming and diverse neighborhood. Though the narrative is more of a list of reminders instead of following a traditional plot, each page blends the text with the images in a way that will resonate with readers. Varying font sizes and placement enhance the visual appeal of the book, and readers will enjoy investigating the detail found in each image. At the end of the book, a note provides insight into the authors' decisions and the intent of the book itself, which will inspire conversation and further investigation beyond what's on the page. Additionally, the endpapers proudly display the primary tenets of the KYRC mission and emphasize the messages found within the narrative itself. Filled with positivity, this book serves as a beacon of hope that "another world...is on her way." VERDICT This is a powerful and accessible invitation for readers of all ages to embrace and support the freedom inherent to all.--Mary R. Lanni

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

An upbeat and informative book for the next generation’s littlest leaders.