Review by Booklist Review
This captivating cultural journey through the African diaspora follows Ayo, a curious child who drifts into a dream one night, his imagination leading him on an adventure literally from A to Z. Like other abecedaries, each page highlights a letter of the alphabet, introducing a key piece of vocabulary (with pronunciation guide) tied to one particular country or cultural element. Each addition plays a tangible part in Ayo's journey but also, over time, weaves together a larger story of diverse cultures and heritage. As text boxes supplement with additional information, the narrative is both accessible and engaging, making it easy to explore and appreciate the breadth of the African diaspora. Young readers can connect through the storytelling as well as Robinson's eye-catching watercolor illustrations that illuminate each section, bringing Ayo's dream world to life. Each scene is rendered with vibrant colors and fluid lines that capture the essence of the landscapes, traditions, and people described in Ayo's alphabet adventure. Rich back matter adds historical and cultural context to each word from A to Z. Recommended for all collections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Black child receives a bedtime lesson on the interconnectedness of the African diaspora. As Ayo tries to sleep, he turns to an alphabet book that inspires a dreamy adventure. Whether taking in the calypso music of Trinidad and Tobago or enjoying Nigerian fufu made from pounded plantain and cassava, Ayo gets a thorough education in the diversity of African diasporic cultures. He's even transported through time as he travels to early-20th-century Tulsa, Oklahoma, to learn about Black Wall Street, and to the Bronx circa the 1980s to witness the development of hip-hop. The book is made up of alphabetically arranged entries (A is for Afro, whileK is for Kente cloth), each listing a location and a brief description. Some pages are overburdened by text, and at times the author struggles to distill complex topics into digestible bits; a single spread doesn't feel like enough space to explore hip-hop, while the Yoruba people are known for more than their "wood carvings, glassmaking, and weaving." Occasionally, the digital art feels somewhat chaotic, with discordant colors, textures, and elements mingling. Still, it's a laudable and ambitious effort, and one that will likely stir curious readers to learn more. A jam-packed, at times unwieldy, globetrotting primer on Blackness. (supplemental information, glossary)(Informational picture book. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
