When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke - ADVISABLE

When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2020. $17. 9781536222388 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Black parents are talking to their baby about what Black Lives Matter means. It means wonderful-strong, that they deserve respect. That they walk, and they march and they scream because enough is enough. That they dance and they sing and they whisper and they cry. They smile and stand together because the danger is still out there. They know that Black Lives Matter. 

The faceless people in the illustrations bring the child right into the story - it's their face or their friend's faces they will see. So hopeful and powerful. Maxine Beneba Clark's text is lyrical and pointed - A wonderful statement on what this movement is, in terms a young child can understand.

Lisa Librarian