Walk the Walk

Block by block, Owens (A Song So Black, So Proud!) and Brown (Little Big Man) recount a Black child’s walk to piano lessons during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in this experiential picture book. Young Dexter narrates in conversational past tense, recounting his papa’s responses and the book’s refrain—“If we’re going to talk the talk, we’ve got to walk the walk.” As the two move through their community (“The sights we used to see from the bus were right up close now”), Dex notices others walking too, and signs offering rides. White passersby, including someone in a truck flying a Confederate flag, shout at them, but the pair press on, learning toward walk’s end that the boycott has ended. Unlined illustrations in primary and secondary hues capture intimate moments along the route—neighbors walking together, community sights and sounds, the steady determination on Papa’s face—underscoring the movement’s quiet resolve and collective triumph. This tender historical telling affirms the power of perseverance and shared purpose—and getting to “the place where we need to be when we walk together.” An author’s note and timeline conclude. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Christy Ewers, CAT Agency. (Apr.)