Book Reviews | Here Wee Read

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Book Reviews

Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Jo (A Book Review)

Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free (A Book Review)

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread: A Book Review

Notable Native People: A Book Review

Cover Reveal: Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady and Gracey Zhang

Brown Girls Reading: A Promised Land by Barack Obama A Joint Book Review with Charnaie Gordon & Nicole Blades

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles (A Book Review)

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles & Bryan Collier (A Book Review)

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes & Gordon C. James (A Book Review)

Multicultural Children’s Book Day: The Unstoppable Garrett Morgan + Barefoot Books Review #ReadYourWorld

Freedom Bird by Jerdine Nolen (A Book Review)

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story (A Book Review)

hereweeread

Who Are Your People?

When you meet someone for the first time, do they sometimes ask, "Who are your people?" and "Where are you from?"

This picture book is a beautiful tribute to our ancestors, the people whose shoulders we stand on today. It teaches children to dream big and to be proud of their culture and where they came from.

The author, @bakarisellers is not only a New York Times Bestselling author, he is also the son of Civil Rights activist, Cleveland Sellers. The book was inspired by the author’s twin son and daughter.

With stunning artwork by @reggiebrownart, this book is filled with so much love and joy. Recommended for ages 4-8 and up.

The link to purchase or review is in today’s IG stories.

Have you read this one yet? #whoareyourpeople #bakarisellers #reggiebrownart #60daysofblackhistory #hereweeread @harperkids #blackhistory365

FEARLESS HEART GIVEAWAY (10 Winners!)

To celebrate the release of the picture book Fearless Heart, I’ve teamed up with our friends at @triumphbooks to give away 10 books to ten individual winners!

Surya Bonaly @suryabonaly1 is best known for being the only Olympic figure skater to land a backflip on one skate. The one-legged backflip seen around the world took place at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Who remembers watching that historic moment? 🙋🏽‍♀️

Told in verse, Fearless Heart is a stunningly illustrated picture book biography about the life of Surya Bonaly.

To enter:
1️⃣ Ensure you are following me @hereweeread AND @triumphbooks.
2️⃣ Tag at least (2) two of your friends in the comments who you think would enjoy this giveaway.
3️⃣ Tell me in the comments if you have a favorite winter Olympic sport and what sport it is.

For two (2) BONUS entries, SHARE this post in your stories and tag @hereweeread AND @triumphbooks so we can see it.

Giveaway only open to US and Canadian residents age 18 and over. Ten (10) random winners will be selected by Friday, January 28th. All entries must be received by January 27th at 11:59pm EST. #fearlessheart #triumphbooks @frankmurphybooks @anerbananers #bookbirthday #newreleasetuesday #fearlessheartbook

Daddy Speaks Love

SAVE this post for your next trip to your local indie bookstore or library or share it with a friend.

Daddy Speaks Love is a wonderful celebration of fatherhood that showcases the powerful bond between father and child. Filled with soft, beautiful, watercolor artwork and lyrical text, each father is depicted depicted as a supportive and protective, gentle giant who understands the emotional needs of their child.

Fathers and children are shown being involved in everyday activities such as hiking, baking, reading books, visiting a museum, and more. Each father figure serves as a source of comfort and encouragement for their challenging them to be the best version of themselves.

I think this book is a lovely ode to every person either fathering a child or people who stand in the gap offering guidance, love, and support to children in need.

The author’s note explains this book was inspired by the murder of George Floyd and the bond he shared with his daughter, Gianna Floyd.

“As a writer, my words mirrored the love-filled bond I have with my own father, who has always been a constant example and guide.” - Leah Henderson

Have you read this one yet? Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, or anytime of the year. The direct link to purchase or review is in today’s stories. #daddyspeakslove @penguinkids @nancyrosep @leahs_mark

Bold Words From Black Women

Have you seen this gem yet? This beautiful book features 50 modern women, presented with their own words, who have dared to raise their voices and persevere through hardship and injustice to become revolutionaries and dreamers, artists and creators.

Here is a small list of the powerhouse women highlighted in this 112-page book: Beyoncé Knowles; tennis star Serena Williams; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; and activist Angela Davis.

The art in this book is spectacular and perfect for #bookfacefriday photos like this one featuring @tarajiphenson.

“Don’t you ever dim your light to make someone else feel comfortable!” -Taraji P. Henson

Book published by @denenemillnerbooks @simonkids. Curated by @tamarapizzoli, illustrated by @monicaahanonu. #bookface #bookfacelicious #boldwordsfromblackwomen #60daysofblackhistory #tarajiphenson #bookfacemagazine #blackhistory365 #hereweeread #hereweereadbookface

Adult Book Recommendations, Please!

We’re only three weeks into the new year, yet I’m finding myself in a reading rut. Life, work, and my personal life have been very full lately leaving less time for me to read as much as I usually do. Some seasons of life are busier than others and this is definitely a busy season for me.

The most recent book I read was The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life by Lynne Twist and I really enjoyed it. Now, I’m looking for something else to read and I welcome your recommendations.

I’d prefer either a self-help/personal development nonfiction book or a lighthearted fiction read that has an awesome plot and is hard to put down.

Feel free to sound off in the comments with your recommendations. I look forward to filling up my TBR list with some great reads!

📸: @itsabrammoore #theworldwashersforthereading #seekingrecommendations #bookrecommendationsplease #bookrecommendation

Eyes That Speak to the Stars

Companion to the picture book, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, Eyes That Speak to the Stars is an inspirational story about self-acceptance that reminds readers to recognize their own power and strength from within.

In this story, a young boy notices his eyes look different from his friends’ after seeing a picture drawn by his classmate in school. The picture shows the boys’ eyes drawn like two lines stretched across his face while all the other kids in the picture have big, round eyes. The incident at school leaves the boy feeling sad, but after school his father proceeds to reassure him that his eyes “rise to the skies and speak to the stars”. His eyes are special and so is he.

By the end of the book, the boy realizes just how amazing his eyes are. They resemble those of his father, his grandfather, and his little brother. Four generations of beautiful eyes that rise to the skies and speak to the stars.

Unfortunately, many Asian Americans are still facing racist attacks, both verbal and physical - just for being Asian. When others reduce your entire identity to a simple facial feature like your eyes, it can have lasting and harmful psychological effects. No one likes feeling left out, especially kids who are learning to discover where they fit into the world.

To every Asian who has ever been bullied, you are not alone. You are seen, heard, and worthy. People should not be ridiculed for the shape of their eyes, the color of their skin, or for any other reason. Forgive yourself if you’ve let negative remarks make you think you needed to “fix” everything that bullies said was ugly or weird. Understand that you don’t need to look like the Eurocentric standard of beauty to be liked or loved or to "fit in". Ignore the hateful remarks and hurtful comments. Continue to hold your head high and look to the stars. For your eyes are magical, powerful, and beautiful. Your eyes “rise to the skies and speak to the stars.”

Recommended for ages 4 – 8 and up. Publishes February 15, 2022, but can be pre-ordered now via the temporary link in my bio.

Double tap if you’re excited to read this one! #eyesthatspeaktothestars

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!”

Happy 80th birthday, Muhammad Ali, the greatest of all time.

Flashing it back to one of my favorite #bookface photos taken nearly four years ago.

Book featured: A Champion is Born by Gene Baretta, illustrated by @frankmorrison. #60daysofblackhistory #muhammadali #floatlikeabutterflystinglikeabee #muhammadaliquotes #muhammadalibirthday @thereallailaali #bookfacelicious #hereweereadbookface