Common Sense Media Review
By amymidanikblum , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet, affirming board book about Black excellence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BABY YOUNG, GIFTED, AND BLACK, each page highlights a Black leader and a quality they have in the form of a powerful affirmation. Political leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Wangarĩ Maathai appear alongside cultural icons like Zadie Smith and Stevie Wonder. The final page ties it all together with the inclusion of a mirror, where kids can see their own potential for greatness in the book.
Is It Any Good?
Crafted in the spirit of the Nina Simone song it's named for, this book is a pure, joyful celebration of Black excellence from music, sports, politics, literature, activism, and more. The clear and critical message of the book is expressed through Jamia Wilson's strong, repetitive affirmations and Andrea Pippins' engaging illustrations full of bright colors and shapes that add a sense of movement to the pages. This lovely little board book is a great read-aloud that will help young readers build confidence and self-esteem.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how we can show compassion to others, even if we don't know them. Why is this important?
What does having courage mean to you? Which courageous people in this book stood out to you?
Some of the people in this book have had to persevere through challenges before they made a change. Has that ever happened to you? What happened?
Book Details
- Author: Jamia Wilson
- Illustrator: Andrea Pippins
- Genre: Board
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Perseverance
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
- Publication date: January 26, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 0 - 2
- Number of pages: 20
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: August 12, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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