February 1 is the first day of Black History Month and World Read Aloud Day. Two things that I love, Black History and Reading! A book that I am reading today to commmerate BOTH holidays is HOLD THEM CLOSE: A LOVE LETTER TO BLACK CHILDREN by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Patrick Dougher. It also has BONUS photography by Jamel Shabazz.
My family was fortunate enough to win this book on the author’s Twitter account and we are so super grateful to have this book in our home library.
To take a peak inside, check out the video above on my YouTube channel and subscribe.
HOLD THEM CLOSE: A Love Letter to Black Children is the picture book that is so needed and necessity for raising children and especially Black children. It is more than a picture book to buy and read on occasion, it is an artistic piece of modern art. It is a guidebook for parents to use when having a conversation about complicated history and Black History. This book is a poetic letter that takes the reader through a range of emotions. However, the emotion that will resonate is PRIDE. It will make the reader sit up straight, tall, shoulders back, and HEAD HELD HIGH!
I highly recommend this book to be added to every book shelf and a primer for educators when discussing Black History, especially the difficult parts of our history. It provides beautiful language to use to process the emotions that are felt when discussing the dark sides of Black History.
Make sure to get to pick up a copy at your local book store and if it is not available, ask them to get you a copy!
Thank you for reading!
Enjoy!
Maya
