I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids

Williams delivers a powerful anthem in this abecedarian picture book, presenting a brief paragraph of affirmations beneath capital and lowercase letters on each left-hand page. Simple prose is both straightforward and exacting, firmly asserting the strength and hope inherent in each child: “R is for Rally. I know when I lift another,/ I am raised, too. I am working to build/ a brighter future for all. Love flows/ in and around my community.” On each right-hand page, Glushkó offers a complementary association in fluid, visible digital brushstrokes: facing “C is for Challenge,” four Black football players take a knee, honoring Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racism and police brutality. With differing hairstyles, skin tones, and abilities, the richly varied Black cast wears T-shirts whose slogans offer even more empowerment: “Education, not incarceration,” “I’m rooting for everybody Black,” and “BLK BOY JOY.” An uplifting homage to Black potential, resilience, and achievement. Ages 4–8. (May)