Review: We Are Here by Tami Charles

Item: We Are Here (An All Because You Matter Book)
Author: Richetta

Posted February 18, 2023 by Richetta in Book Reviews, Children's Books / 0 Comments

We Are Here (An All Because You Matter Book) by Tami Charles
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Published by Scholastic Inc. on January 3, 2023
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Love & Romance, Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / United States / African American & Black, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Source: Scholastic Inc
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An empowering follow-up to New York Times bestselling picture book All Because You Matter that celebrates the rich history of Black and brown men and women throughout history with soaring language and stunning illustration.
Lyrical, affirmational, and bursting with love, We Are Here is a poignant story about Black and brown heritage and community. Full of assurance, tenderness, and triumph, this much-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling picture book All Because You Matter offers an equally inspirational and arresting ode to all of the Black women and men throughout history who have made momentous contributions from the beginning of time.
Tami Charles shares the beauty and excellence in the history of the Black community, assuring Black and brown children of the extraordinary legacy from which they come. Charles's powerful and empowering text is accompanied with illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner or honoree. We Are Here celebrates readers with pride, joy, and love, reminding them of their roots, inviting readers to imagine a future that shines ever bright, and strengthening them for their triumphant days to come!

We Are Here by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier is a beautiful celebration of Black joy and accomplishment through history. The lyrical style of the book lends itself to a beautiful read aloud. I love the musical catch phrases, like “cool like that!” that are spread throughout the book. It made it fun to read to my kids.

Charles does even more with her use of language in the book by including phrases from multiple languages to reinforce her statements that Black people are “multidialectical, oh-so-intellectual” and that “We speak the language of books and streets, feet stamping concrete.”

The illustrations are a work of art. I look forward to reading books illustrated by Bryan Collier. I love his style. There is even a guide in the back of the book to some of the historical figures featured in the art in the book. It will lead to a great post-read discussion and exploration.

We Are Here is the second book in the All Because You Matter series. A third book, United Together is forthcoming. Lear more about the author and her upcoming projects at https://tamiwrites.com/ .