When We Say Black Lives Matter, A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, Main Abija/My Grandad, and Hello and Welcome

Title: When We Say Black Lives Matter
Author: Maxine Beneba Clarke
Genre/ issues: Black lives matter. Equality. Racism

Title: A place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart
Author: Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Genre/ issues: Identity. Strength. Legacy.

Title: Main Abija / My Grandad
Author: Karen Rogers
Genre/ issues: Aboriginal family. 

Title: Hello and Welcome
Author: Gregg Dreise
Genre/ issues: Welcome to country. 

Shop local where you can: For Australian readers, you can find this book on Booktopia, or support your local independent bookstore. US readers, check out Bookshop.org.

Another catch-up post for my #2021ReadingChallenge, featuring some fantastic picture books.

@maxinebeneba’s When We Say Black Lives Matter is a fantastic lyrical narrative explaining the BLM movement and aims in language appropriate for younger readers. Whilst there is necessary acknowledgement of the traumas, past and present, of racist treatment of black people and communities, the main focus of this stunning book is on their joy and strength, “as precious as every soul whose story has journeyed the earth.” Wonderful, and a much-loved addition to my collection.

A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart is an illustrated poem by @zettaelliott, with a similar focus on the diversity and strength of Black people throughout history, with a focus on the importance of healing and forgiveness. @noadenmon’s illustrations are vibrant and heartfelt, and capture the soul of the Elliott’s poem beautifully.

I love books which place indigenous languages at the forefront of the narrative, and Main Abija/ My Grandad by Karen Rogers does this so well. The bilingual story in both Kriol and English explores the importance of shared experiences with FB family members, and is a sweet, simple and lovely tale of fishing with Grandad which is a tradition that passes down through generations.

And finally, Hello and Welcome by @greggdreise – a welcome to corroboree which celebrates Indigenous culture, traditions, Elders and future generations, featuring Welcome to Country in the Gamilaraay language of the Kamilaroi people. Dreise’s artwork is always stunning, and this book is no exception – vibrant and engaging. I read this one three times back to back just to stay absorbed in the beauty of it.

I know I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Stories matter. We need to empower authors to share their stories, and readers to grow a stronger awareness of and engagement with the world around them, and to develop empathy and understanding of the experiences of others. These books are all excellent additions to a personal or library collection, and great reads for all ages.

#TamaraReads #2021readingchallenge 20-23/2021

Happy reading,