Starred review from September 16, 2024
Honoré’s energetic poem-turned–
picture book debut offers a contemplative call-and-response-style ode to brown girls everywhere. Opening, a querying line asks, “Brown girl, brown girl,/ what did you see?” A page turn later, the answer appears, alongside images of a Black child curled in the fetal position: “a world that sees my skin/ before it sees me.” Subsequent lines beginning “brown girl, brown girl” ask, “what did you feel?” and “what did you do?” In scene after scene, striking painterly acrylics by Caldecott Honoree Cabrera picture brown girls of myriad hair textures and skin tones joining together to dance, play, and stand tall. After text asks, “Brown girl, brown girl,/ what do you know?” the answer (“That there are strong women/ who want me to grow”) attends girls riding bikes by a mural of notable women of color, reflecting the aspirations and limitless possibility of individuals including Kamala Harris, Frida Kahlo, Toni Morrison, and Malala Yousafzai. The response to a final question—“Brown girl, brown girl,/ who will you be?”—provides a meaningful vision of the future: “a powerful woman/ who is wonderfully free.” An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Johanna Castillo, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Assoc.
November 1, 2024
PreS-Gr 3-Honor� and Cabrera's book in verse is a beautiful testament to how amazing brown girls are and how there is no limit to their capabilities. "Brown girl, brown girl, what did you feel?/ That I have the power to make my dreams real." Specific imagery makes clear that brown girls live in a world where people see their skin color before anything else. It might take a fight to bring their dreams to fruition, but they have what it takes to work hard despite the obstacles. "Brown girl, brown girl, what do you see?/ A world full of girls with brown skin like me." It's a beautiful thing for brown girls to step into a room and see faces that look like them, and to find, in these pages, notable women in history who also look like them. It's sweetly empowering; readers will come away with the feeling that brown girls around the world will one day become just as inspiring as the women they look up to and admire. In simple lines, there is a compelling message of encouragement; repetition solidifies the message. The gorgeous acrylic illustrations depict brown girls of varying shades, hair textures, and backgrounds. VERDICT This gorgeously illustrated poem celebrating and elevating brown girls is a solid choice for picture book collections.-Myiesha Speight
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 11, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 This title, inspired by Vice President Kamala Harris' historic election win, combines Honor�'s 2017 poem with vibrant, moving illustrations from Cabrera that celebrate Black and brown girls in moments of strength and joy. Images of young women of color sharing dreams and wins and building community provide an inspiring backdrop for this powerful rhyming poem. Honor� references historical role models and a strong connection with New York City as the girls explore who they want to be and how to cherish their identities. This is an uplifting book for brown and Black girls about endurance, growth, and looking forward to the future--and for those hoping to see themselves reflected in and celebrated in the pages, it's a reminder to stay true to yourself and love yourself for who you are.
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Starred review from November 15, 2024
Honor�'s verse highlighting the strength and heart of Black and brown girls comes alive in this picture-book collaboration with Cabrera. The poem, which was written in 2016 for the author's own daughters but went viral after Kamala Harris was elected vice president, leads readers in a dance of spoken word and brilliant art. "Brown girl, brown girl / what did you see? // A world that sees my skin / before it sees me," peals a frank and somber first note that gives way to the chorus of resistance behind it. The artwork follows suit, moving fluidly from a muted image of an isolated, ungrounded figure curled small to a group of girls confidently standing together. The call-and-response style continues, gaining not so much momentum as lift. "Brown girl, Brown girl / what did you do?...what do you feel?...who will you be?" The text soars higher and higher, moving from past to present to future tense. The illustrations intertwine softness and boldness with page after page of brown girls belonging, a visual togetherness that both honors and bridges individual and generational differences. With the gentle crescendo found in familiar reads such asBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? the book invites readers in with its rhythm and luminous full-page spreads, reminding them that call and response is more than just communal storytelling--itis the community. Warmly, brilliantly welcoming--and not to be missed. (author's note)(Picture book. 3-8)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.