Be, Black girl, be

Reiterative affirmations from Darks (Wash Day) celebrate Black girls in a picture book that simultaneously amplifies and inspires. Following the titular line, similarly structured phrases encourage Black girls to dance, shine, take up space, and more, each one followed by elucidative text: "Grow/ Black girl, grow./ Plant seeds for your hopes,/ your dreams.// Grounded by your roots, grow tough like a tree,/ soft like its leaves, and wise like its rings." Upbeat mixed-media illustrations by Miller (Sam's Super Seats), of Black children with various abilities, hair textures and styles, and skin tones, add to each page a feeling of power in autonomy and community, as when a suggestion to "breathe" spotlights young figures flying alongside clouds and holding the sun in their hands ("Flow with the current/ and shift with the wind,// but trust yourself// and your power within"). Other spreads show kids partaking in playground activities (double Dutch, hopscotch), cultivating passions (baking, painting, sports), and being embraced by elders. Together, the creators craft a heartfelt exhortation to "embrace every inch of who you are,/ in every size, shape, coil and shade." Ages 4--8. (June)

PreS-Gr 3--A brown-skinned girl with her hair in twists and barrettes rests on the grass. She's accompanied by the message "Be, Black girl, Be." Beyond the first pages are even more words of encouragement for Black girls: messages to embrace everything that makes you who you are, dance to the beat of your own drum, and stay grounded. There's also the reminder that Black women and the other adults in the girls' lives will be there to provide guidance and support. There are no limits to what can be accomplished. It's a simple but powerful message celebrating and encouraging all Black girls, including those with different skin tones and/or vitiligo, gracing every page. Their hairstyles range from those twists to flowing free and everything in between. There are also girls shown wearing hijabs. Beautifully colored multimedia illustrations depict girls happily playing together and perhaps even pursuing their dreams. VERDICT A gorgeous message of encouragement for Black girls; a great choice for any library's collection.--Myiesha Speight