We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders

“Inspired by the continuing work of the American Civil Liberties Union” and introduced by singer and activist Harry Belafonte, this volume pairs the works of 16 varied contemporary illustrators with stirring quotations (chosen by those illustrators) by a wide range of historic and living public figures. Each artist also reflects on the personal significance of the quote they’ve chosen. Juana Medina paints five round, brightly colored smiling faces to accompany the famous lines from Gwendolyn Brooks—“We are each other’s harvest” —and writes that Brooks’s words “fill me with eagerness to find common ground with others.” Raúl the Third, quoting Dolores Huerta (“We should love and care for each other”), portrays a tearful mother and child trying to hug through the slats of what is clearly meant to be a border wall. “I hope that these times will pass,” the artist notes. Handsomely styled, and not afraid to take sides. Ages 7–10. (May)