An anthology of poetry, essays, short stories and art designed to lift children up, especially children from traditionally marginalized communities, during difficult times.This collection encourages America's children to remember their history, learn from it, and choose to be kind in the face of hatred, racism, and oppression. "Throughout history, kids like you / were right there. / With picket signs and petitions….They changed this world for the better. / And you will too," Kelly Starling Lyons tells readers in her poem "Drumbeat for Change." Featuring contributions from such writers as Jacqueline Woodson, Ellen Oh, and Hena Khan, and an equally august lineup of illustrators, including Rafael López, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, and Javaka Steptoe, every work packs an emotional punch. In his poem "A Thousand Winters," Kwame Alexander wonders "if words, sentences, and books aren't enough, anymore" as he reflects on the state of the world and hard conversations with his daughter. A stunning collage by Ekua Holmes accompanies Alexander's poem; in it, a vivid, violet sky surrounds a sleepy black girl sitting atop her father's shoulders. Every work in this beautiful collection feels personal and is meant to inspire and comfort.A love song from children's literature's brightest stars to America's Indigenous children and children of color, encouraging them to be brave and kind. (contributor biographies, index) (Anthology. 8-18)

When it seems like all around us there is bad news, tension, injustice, and racism, children now have an additional source of inspiration in their search for peace, strength, equality, and hope in this vibrant and heartfelt anthology. More than 50 authors and illustrators, including such acclaimed luminaries as Jacqueline Woodson, Margarita Engle, Jason Reynolds, Ekua Holmes, and Javaka Steptoe, share their experiences of injustice and their words of advice and encouragement in the forms of poetry, songs, and stories. Some are written in the form of letters to their own children and loved ones; others as heartbreaking stories of their own personal experiences; still others are reminders and advice that should not be forgotten, or powerful poetic words. What they all have in common is a stirring message to readers that they are not alone. The beautiful, poetic text of each story is paired perfectly with the unique, beautifully varied illustrations accompanying them, and together they serve to remind children to never give up, hold their heads up high, and always hold onto hope.

In young ninja Yukio's second holiday-themed adventure (Samurai Santa), doting little sis Kashi annoyingly emulates all of his Halloween trick-or-treating preparations; her copycat costume is the final straw. But then Kashi cleverly invokes Yukio's spooky urban legend about Samurai Scarecrow to get some well-deserved respect. Thoughtful text design enhances the spare, funny narrative. Digital illustrations in a limited orange-and-purple palette capture the siblings' relatable range of emotions.

An anthology of poetry, essays, short stories and art designed to lift children up, especially children from traditionally marginalized communities, during difficult times.This collection encourages America's children to remember their history, learn from it, and choose to be kind in the face of hatred, racism, and oppression. "Throughout history, kids like you / were right there. / With picket signs and petitions….They changed this world for the better. / And you will too," Kelly Starling Lyons tells readers in her poem "Drumbeat for Change." Featuring contributions from such writers as Jacqueline Woodson, Ellen Oh, and Hena Khan, and an equally august lineup of illustrators, including Rafael López, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, and Javaka Steptoe, every work packs an emotional punch. In his poem "A Thousand Winters," Kwame Alexander wonders "if words, sentences, and books aren't enough, anymore" as he reflects on the state of the world and hard conversations with his daughter. A stunning collage by Ekua Holmes accompanies Alexander's poem; in it, a vivid, violet sky surrounds a sleepy black girl sitting atop her father's shoulders. Every work in this beautiful collection feels personal and is meant to inspire and comfort.A love song from children's literature's brightest stars to America's Indigenous children and children of color, encouraging them to be brave and kind. (contributor biographies, index) (Anthology. 8-18)

Wade and Cheryl Willis Hudson, founders of Just Us Books, offer this empowering anthology to counter today-s often-unsettling political climate for children of varying ethnicities, faiths, identities, and abilities. The husband-and-wife team present 30 illustrated essays, poems, stories, and letters from more than 50 diverse children-s book creators. Contributions aim to calm, sustain, and inspire children. In -A Talkin--To,- Jason Reynolds reassures readers that -everything bad and frightening and loud/ will always hide when you hold your head up,/ will always hide when you hold your heart out.- Hena Khan-s essay urges Muslim children