WHEN I STOPPED at Buckham Memorial Library on Saturday morning to pick up Valentine’s Day-themed books for a visit with the grandchildren, I left with a more important book. I discovered When We Say Black Lives Matter, written and illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke, among the new children’s picture books.
The award-winning Australian writer, poet and artist has crafted a story from the perspective of a Black child’s parents explaining why Black Lives Matter. It’s a powerful telling written in words kids can understand, yet with a depth that touches the adults who read this book. The illustrations in watercolor pencil and collage enhance/complement the text in ways that strengthen the message, as all book art should.
The love-filled words reflect on past and present injustices, on strength and song, on Black voices that matter. Just like Black Lives Matter.
I encourage you to read this picture book. The insights it offers are important. Especially now, as protests continue in Minnesota over yet another fatal shooting of a young Black man by police. Simultaneously, the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating the rights of George Floyd during his May 2020 arrest (and subsequent death) continues. February also marks Black History Month.
I encourage you to read a second book, which I also found at my library. I’m about a third of the way into We Are Each Other’s Harvest—Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy. It’s a collection of stories by Natalie Baszile, author of award-winning Queen Sugar (which I now must read). The book is exactly as its title states, about Black farmers, their past and present connection to the land and the challenges they face. I’m learning a lot. As someone who grew up in rural southwestern Minnesota surrounded only by other White people, I need to read books like these to broaden my understanding about the challenges of being Black in America. Past and present. Because I grew up with a strong connection to the land, these stories really resonate.
Although I never got around to reading Clarke’s picture book to my grandchildren (we ran out of time), I will tell you that Isabelle and Isaac are growing up in a diverse neighborhood. Izzy’s kindergarten class also includes classmates of assorted skin tones and backgrounds. Not just White, Lutheran/Catholic, German/Scandinavian like her maternal grandparents. I appreciate that diversity in the lives of these little people whom I love beyond measure. When they see their classmates and/or playmates, they don’t see color. They see friends.
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TELL ME: Have you read either of these books? What similar books do you recommend I read? I’d love to hear.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
these look like wonderful choices, both. 2 of my grandchildren are bi-racial and we talk about this often. at school, I’ve been working to consciously choose books all year that have characters, and/or are written by people of color. I want the children to see others who look like them, not just their friends and to normalize it. I’m working to teach them that we need to include and learn about all people year round, and not just during this special month. black history month is a great place to begin and teach about how all people have a history that matters and why we have this month is because many of them were never included and their stories never told. the goal is for us to have them included as a natural course of historical teaching and understanding. you sound like a wonderful grandmother and teacher to your grandchildren. what a gift to them –
Beth, thank you for all you are doing with your littles, both your grandchildren and students. I appreciate your efforts “that we need to include and learn about all people year round.” Well stated.
“The Everlasting Stream” by Walt Harrington, the author worked for the Washington Post and was married to an African American women. Her family lived in the country. It focuses on the friendship he forms with this group of men while hunting rabbits.
A truly remarkable book.
Thank you for your recommendation of “The Everlasting Stream.” I appreciate it. Another book to add to my list…
I appreciate you drawing attention to these books, Audrey. I will look for them at our library, and look forward to reading them…for myself and the grandkids.
You are welcome, Valerie. Are you still reading to the NC grandkids via video/chat?
Not since we’ve been home from our month long visit there. They are both in school full days…hopefully this summer.
Of course, school. Yes, hopefully this summer you can resume reading to Zoe and Ezra.
I haven’t read any of these books, but I have experienced some of the prejudices that exist. I have 13 out of 25 great grandchildren that are bi-racial, some Mexican, some black. To me, they are all beautiful. I believe that society is more accepting than they were when my
first 3 grandchildren were born 40 plus years ago..
I agree that people are more accepting. We need to keep working at accepting and loving and supporting. I have a son-in-law who is bi-racial and it’s interesting to hear his perspective occasionally.