Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Sep 16 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

This new creation myth centers darkness as a positive force and positions the Black child as a child of the Universe.Night skies, images of nature, and a Black parent and child grace the pages of this picture book addressed to the child. Describing how the child was created, Obuobi begins, "When the Universe decided to create you, / she drew you from the earth- / rich, / dark, / and full of everything that gives life." The Universe shaped the child's features, including "full lips / to speak your truth" and coiled hair, then adorned the child with gold, breathed life into them, and sent them to the Sun for light and to the Moon for wisdom. Finally, the Universe, personified in the form of a female figure with thick hair, filled the child with love from her own arms, whereupon "her work was complete." After telling the child where they come from, the narrator tells them how to answer anyone who asks about their origins. This emotionally charged tale has the power of a strong embrace, framing the Black child's life and existence as nothing less than a miracle born of love. Ladd's acrylic paint and collage artwork is richly textured, layered with color and shadow for an intense visual treat full of movement and depth. Free-spirited caregivers will relish sharing this nurturing tale with their children. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A stunning work of art. (Picture book. 3-8)

ALA Booklist (Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Poetically written and wondrously illustrated, Obuobi and Ladd's picture book offers Black children a cosmic origin story filled with beauty and strength. Using the elegance in everyday nature to explain concepts related to hair, skin color, body image, and understanding, this story shows a Black child being formed and given life by the Universe (an ethereal woman made of stars), filled with light by the Sun, and bestowed with wisdom by the Moon before being passed into the arms of a loving mother. The illustrations can only be described as magical, blending elements of fantasy with nature and starscapes. Ladd creates unique layered effects through his combination of acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper, and the deep purples and blues sparkle with flecks of gold-shining light. While geared toward Black children, this book holds universal appeal in the way it intimately connects children to the larger world, and its empowering message will strike a chord with any child who feels different from other kids or is grappling with self-esteem.

Horn Book (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Reminiscent of creation myths collected in Virginia Hamilton's In the Beginning (1988), Obuobi's tale tells how the universe created a Black child. "When the Universe decided to create you, / she drew you from the earth -- / rich / dark / and full of everything that gives life." She shapes the child's body, skin, lips, and hair. The sun and moon give the child light and wisdom. Finally, "the Universe wrapped her arms around you, / filling you with love." Ladd's mixed-media-collage illustrations beautifully complement Obuobi's lyrical text. The closing illustration features a Black child with arms opened wide, surrounded by dark purples, reds, and greens. Small dots of white and yellow represent the stars, highlighting the child's connection to the universe. This original creation story will appeal to fans of Spillet-Summer and Goade's I Sang You Down from the Stars and Charles and Collier's All Because You Matter (rev. 11/20). Nicholl Denice Montgomery

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This new creation myth centers darkness as a positive force and positions the Black child as a child of the Universe.Night skies, images of nature, and a Black parent and child grace the pages of this picture book addressed to the child. Describing how the child was created, Obuobi begins, "When the Universe decided to create you, / she drew you from the earth- / rich, / dark, / and full of everything that gives life." The Universe shaped the child's features, including "full lips / to speak your truth" and coiled hair, then adorned the child with gold, breathed life into them, and sent them to the Sun for light and to the Moon for wisdom. Finally, the Universe, personified in the form of a female figure with thick hair, filled the child with love from her own arms, whereupon "her work was complete." After telling the child where they come from, the narrator tells them how to answer anyone who asks about their origins. This emotionally charged tale has the power of a strong embrace, framing the Black child's life and existence as nothing less than a miracle born of love. Ladd's acrylic paint and collage artwork is richly textured, layered with color and shadow for an intense visual treat full of movement and depth. Free-spirited caregivers will relish sharing this nurturing tale with their children. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A stunning work of art. (Picture book. 3-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Obuobi pens an origin story that’s at once earthly and impressively cosmic, an ethereal children’s debut that centers a Black child’s beginnings. “When the Universe decided to create you,/ she drew you from the earth—/rich,/ dark,/ and full of everything that gives life.” Having “reached deep into the ground and scooped you,” the Universe molds the child’s body, bones, skin, limbs, and features: “She adorned you with eyes/ like black star sapphires and/ gifted you with full lips/ to speak your truth.” Once the Universe breathes life into the brown-skinned, coily-haired child and dusts them in gold, they are passed from the arms of the Universe to the Sun, “who filled you with light,” and from the Sun to the Moon, “who filled you with wisdom.” At last, “The Universe wrapped her arms around you, filling you with love.” Alternating between mythical scenes of creation and naturalistic portaits of a growing child, Ladd (Midnight Teacher) combines acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper to create dynamic, starlit imagery, launching Obuobi’s astral prose into the stars while leading to a triumphant pronouncement: “I am a child of the Universe. I am Black Gold.” Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Maria Vicente, P.S. Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

PreS-Gr 3 —Lyrical text tells of the Universe as she creates a Black child out of the earth, lovingly shaping each feature, swaddling the child in gold, crowning the child with roses, breathing her divine power into the new life. The Sun and the Moon share their light and wisdom and the Universe her love. The fully formed child is advised to take pride in sharing these exalted origins with the world. The mixed media art uses rich, saturated colors and striking imagery to embody the depth of an infinite cosmos, bringing the text to life. Black children will find a positive and powerful affirmation of their intrinsic and irrefutable worth. VERDICT Stunning illustrations elevate this empowering creation myth.—Alyssa Annico