(1) K-3 Illustrated by April Harrison. Few people have had more of an impact on African American children's literature than griot, educator, and librarian Augusta Baker (1911–1998). Her path to becoming a master storyteller began in Baltimore with listening to her grandmother's folktales. A class on folklore in college further inspired her, and she became a children's librarian in Harlem. It became apparent that while most of the children in the library were Black, most books available to them had no Black characters, and the ones that did "were RUDE, MEAN, and JUST PLAIN WRONG." Baker created a book collection that showcased realistic and positive depictions of African Americans and shared her knowledge with other educators and librarians. Her work carried her to becoming the first Black coordinator of children's services for all of New York Public Library, hosting radio shows, teaching classes, and traveling the country as the "Mistress of Storytelling." McDaniel gives an account of Baker's life that is as celebratory as the heroes in her folktales, attesting that Baker internalized the message that "where there's a will, there's a way." Harrison's exuberant mixed-media-collage illustrations capture the vibrancy of both the storyteller and her stories, creating worlds and words that leap off pages. Back matter includes a timeline, citations, and an author's note, where McDaniel celebrates her own childhood librarian.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) PS Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. In this affirmation of self-love for children of color, an exuberant brown-skinned girl recounts many situations in which she puts her "hands up": playing peek-a-boo, striking a pose in ballet, etc. Evans's textured illustrations effectively evoke a bright mood. An author's note articulates McDaniel's choice to reclaim the titular phrase from its negative associations with police encounters. A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while positioning young children as agents of change.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019