We miss you, George Floyd

ldquo;We heard about a man who was murdered by police." With that, our young, Black, unnamed narrator begins to describe her Minneapolis neighborhood's response to the 2020 death of George Floyd. Using simple, direct language--just a sentence or two per page--she clearly recounts the facts of Floyd's death, celebrates his life, and describes how her community mourned a friend and protested the injustice that led to his death. Boldly painted illustrations include a powerful close-up of Floyd's tearful face alongside the text "I can't breathe," then shift to light, sunny scenes as our narrator recalls how Floyd was a father and a friend with hilariously "bad dance moves." As the illustrations signal the broader national context--including COVID-19 masks and protest signs, some containing images of Breonna Taylor--our narrator channels her grief into art, first to pay homage to those who have been killed by police, and then to imagine a better future. Readers witness the journey of a child learning to navigate her own sadness and be part of a community while just beginning to see and understand a bigger picture. This honest and stunningly accessible perspective on a pivotal moment in recent American history will speak directly to children in a wide range of ages while also resonating with adults.

A Black child processes the loss of a neighbor, George Floyd, who was murdered by a police officer. From its opening words, this work is unapologetic in its condemnation of Floyd's murder. Gibney writes in simple, straightforward, and age-appropriate language: "We heard about a man who was murdered by police. Everyone was talking about it…Then the police came. They pinned him down. They didn't listen, even when he said, 'I can't breathe.' Even when he called for his mama." The narrative doesn't just remind readers of the senseless manner of Floyd's death; it demands the recognition of his humanity: "He was a father, a brother, a son, a hip hop artist, a football and basketball player, and a friend." Gibney also details the historic protests that erupted after his death and how the narrator and the entire community collectively healed and grieved. At its core, this book is also about the abolition of the police; the final words ask readers to consider "a world without police. A world without police violence. What would it feel like, sound like, look like?" The illustrations, dominated by hues of purple, capture the cacophony of emotions that emerged in the aftermath of Floyd's death; the depiction of tears falling from the eyes of the young narrator is especially haunting and memorable. Heavy yet cathartic. We will not forget.(Picture book. 8-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.