(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Weatherford's stirring text, narrated by God, follows African Americans from slavery and the civil rights movement to the White House: "I was with Barack Obama...I was the Bible where he placed his hand." Accounts of historic figures and events are loosely linked to the Beatitudes, which, unfortunately, are incompletely printed at the bottom of Ladwig's expressive illustrations.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. This Nativity story, told in rhyming verse from Mary's perspective, allows Mary to express her love and enjoy the quiet time she has with her baby before she must share him with the world. While neither the text nor the requisite glowing art stand out, new mothers may appreciate the book's sentiment.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. This colloquial biography outlines the childhood of centenarians Sadie and Bessie Delany (of Having Our Say fame) during the post-Civil War era in North Carolina. While this meandering account fails to connect the sisters' adolescence to their adulthood (an afterword describes their successful adult lives), the text and illustrations capture the family's solidarity and spirit.

Reviewer: Marika Hoe

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. It's 1962, and a classroom discussion about heroism hits home when white narrator Ginny's father defends a black neighbor after she's the victim of a hate crime. The prose contains clichés, but because Kroll takes her time introducing the cast, the story will resonate with children and adults alike. The large-scale illustrations, while created with care, feature characters with almost comically exaggerated facial expressions.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. A young boy reflects on his father's relationship with God in fourteen poems, some tender, some humorous. Although Daddy is not perfect, his son sees him as a strong man of faith as he deals with everyday worries and joys. The mixed-media artwork focuses tightly on the idealized African-American characters, who are shown large enough to fill the page. The celebration of family and faith is touching.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Desperate for customers one cold December during the Depression, a homeless shoeshine man nonetheless takes pity on a tattered young boy, by first giving him his hat, then his gloves, and finally a homemade toy and a free shine. The story takes a religious turn at the end, when the boy is revealed to be a manifestation of the Christ child. The watercolor and acrylic illustrations, which play with perspective, emphasize the sentimental tone of the tale.

Reviewer: Anne St. John