These three picture books capture the hardship and joys that Black people have experienced in the United States, with nuance and sensitivity to a young audience.  

Tyson, Alana. My Red, White, and Blue. illus. by London Ladd. Philomel. Jan. 2023. ISBN 9780593525708.
K-Gr 3–A young Black boy explores his own relationship, as well as the relationship of the African American community, to the American flag. The unnamed protagonist narrates in the first person that he views the flag with a sense of pride at home, in the community, and his classroom. His grandfather agrees that there is much to be proud of; however, the flag is also a symbol of the nation’s history of injustice. Many individuals still face challenges that cause them to protest the flag. Grandpa shares that everyone has the right to protest, but can also be proud. Tyson uses rhyming text and accessible language to present the complicated topic in an ­age-appropriate way. Ladd’s colorful, mixed-media illustrations complement the text and help convey some of the topics discussed throughout. A concluding author’s note ­discusses patriotism in the Black community. VERDICT Sure to inspire children and readers of all ages to ask questions and prompt insightful discussion; in an era when the flag has been co-opted by various groups, this book is a reminder that it belongs to everyone and means many things.–Olivia Gorecke 

 Weatherford, Carole Boston. Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual. illus. by Frank Morrison. Crown. Sept. 2022. ISBN 9780593306345.
Gr 1-4–“It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,/ Standing in the need of prayer./ Not my father, not my mother,/ but it’s me, O Lord,/ Standing in the need of prayer.” A familiar spiritual is recast as a pledge to remember history and make a better future, and the lockstep of words and art feels as if Weatherford and Morrison were in harmony from the outset. A scene of a slave in shackles and another one for sale gives way to a portrait of Nat Turner and then to one that is an homage to the Emancipation Proclamation and the Great Migration. Portraits, like stepping stones through history, well-explained and documented in the back matter, reference people or moments mentioned in Weatherford’s verses, from the Tuskegee Airmen and Duke Ellington to Colin Kaepernick and Black Lives Matter. The force of the words along with the glowing, sculptural lines of Morrison’s paintings will draw onlookers into the journey through time and pain, to two modern children carrying protest signs and facing readers directly, ready and hopeful for what’s next. VERDICT An evocative use of prayer as an old-school protest with a history lesson that is as lilting as a ballad.–Kimberly Olson Fakih 

 Zoboi, Ibi. The People Remember. illus. by Loveis Wise. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. Sept. 2021. ISBN 9780062915641.
PreS-Gr 3–A primer on the principles of Kwanzaa and an examination of the tenacious spirit of the formerly enslaved African people. Stolen African people from different cultures were forced to build uncommon bonds to survive the transatlantic slave trade. That they survived being separated from their land, culture, and personhood was nothing short of a miracle. Zoboi’s gorgeous prose illuminates all of the ways Black people attempted to reclaim their rights as American citizens. They were often thwarted by a corrupt system bent on consuming African culture without respecting the people who created it. Zoboi creates a colorful time line that covers the horrors of lynching, the great migration, white uprisings, hip hop music, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Along the way, the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, which were first introduced in 1966, are celebrated. Wise’s illustrations highlight the beauty of African American culture. Their color palette takes readers on an emotional journey that is also a brilliant blend of poetry, African, and African American history. Zoboi skillfully weaves the narratives of enslaved Africans into a wonderful tapestry. VERDICT This must-have offering that celebrates African American cultural identity should be included in all collections.–Desiree Thomas