About This Book:
*Review Contributed By Evren Dodd, Staff Reviewer*
Informative and Inspiring
I LOVE MY PEOPLE is a picture book that takes readers on a tour of black celebrations and icons. Through the eyes of two children, we get to see what it is that makes the community so special.
The joy and life in this book come off the pages. The art is gorgeous, carefully drawn to resemble icons and styles that reflect the community it is showing. It is done with such love and care, clearly meant to honor and show off aspects of the community. And beyond the details there are so many colors and expressions involved in the illustrations as well. From sections with toned down colors reflecting medical advancements to bright colors for Kwanzaa and storefronts. Each scene is crafted with love and attention.
The children in this book are unnamed to my knowledge, but there are plenty of other names mentioned in this book. This book, while through their eyes, is not about them so to say. It is about their community and culture. There are so many figures mentioned in this book from scientists to directors to gymnasts. Some I’d heard of before, but others were new to me. Getting to learn about these people through this book was wonderful and fun.
The book appears to be written in some form of poetry or rhyme scheme, but I found that it felt inconsistent to me. At times lines would rhyme and follow a similar beat, but other lines would feel completely removed from that beat. Other readers may be able to better sense the flow and have it work for them, but I found it better to read it as a simple picture book rather than try to find the rhythm or rhyme.
There is a vibrancy to this book that reflects its message. I LOVE MY PEOPLE is a book about joy and life, about culture and what makes people proud to be connected to their community. It is a wonderful experience to read.
