Search results for "tag:"Author Gordon C James""

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Book SynopsisSelected by Oprah Magazine as one of its ''essential books for discussing racism with kids''.I am a non-stop ball of energy.Powerful and full of light.I am a go-getter. A difference-maker. A leader.Step inside the mind of the confident narrator of this book. He is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He''s got big plans, and will see them through. He''s creative, adventurous, smart, funny. A good friend. A superhero. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he''s afraid, because he''s often misunderstood. So, slow down, look and listen as he shows you who he really is Featured in the Booktrust Great Books Guide 2021Observer Children's Picture Book of the MonthPerfect for fans of Dapo Adeola's Hey You!Pitch-perfect Gordon C James's painted portraits brim with spirit and dignity. The result is a truly special book by an American author-illustrator duo at the top of their game' Imogen Carter, ObserverA poetic paean to the brilliance of black boys, its enerTrade Review ‘Children everywhere should read I AM EVERY GOOD THING. It is beautiful, joyous & life affirming.’ – David Walliams ‘A poetic paean to the brilliance of black boys, its energetic pages filled with courage, joy and vivid, dynamic illustrations.’ Guardian ‘A stunning visual poem dedicated to supporting and loving black boys, I Am Every Good Thing features incredible illustration from Gordon C. James which really brings a tear to the eye on some particularly emotive spreads.’ Booktrust ‘Barnes and James provide us with a range of powerful, positive names to call Black boys as they urge us to see them, to love them, and to let them live their lives as they deserve.…' Horn Book 'Together, James’s energetic portraiture and Barnes’s affirming text powerfully and ecstatically convey the idea that all Black boys are “worthy to be loved.' Publisher Weekly '“The text has a cadence that demands to be read out loud, performed, sung, or shouted with joy and veracity. The need for a book like this, at a moment like this, could not be greater.…' Booklist ‘A much-needed book for Black children.' Kirkus 'A worthy and timely choice for every collection.' School Library Journal 'Barnes’ playful, potent style draws on inviting metaphor to lift this well above the usual supportive picture book celebration.' BCCB

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Book SynopsisAn upbeat, empowering, important picture book from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. A perfect gift for any special occasion!I ama nonstop ball of energy.Powerful and full of light.I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader.The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and no doubt he'll see them through--as he's creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he's afraid, because he's so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you--and shows you--who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!Trade ReviewWinner of the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award!* “A much-needed book for Black children when society demonstrates otherwise. The Kirkus Prize–, Coretta Scott King Honor–, Newbery Honor–, and Caldecott Honor–winning team behind Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut return for another celebration of Black excellence. In a text brimming with imagination and Black-boy joy, Barnes lays the foundation for young Black readers to go forth into the world filled with confidence and self-assurance. . . . Simultaneously, he opens a window for non-Black readers to see Black boys’ humanity. They have dreams, feel pain, are polite and respectful—the list of qualities goes on. Barnes also decides to address what is waiting for them as they experience the world. ‘I am not what they might call me.’ With this forceful statement, he provides a tool for building Black resilience, reassuring young Black readers that they are not those names. James supplies his customarily painterly art, his brushy oils painting Black boys of every shade of brown playing, celebrating, achieving, aspiring, and loving. Through every stroke readers will see that Black boys are ‘worthy / to be loved.’ The title says it all: Black boys are ‘every good thing.’”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “A powerful celebration of Black boyhood, countering many of the negative messages that a racist society puts forth about African American boys. Here they are adventurous, polite, inquisitive, playful, creative, artistic, athletic, brave, and worthy. They are also loving, vulnerable, and reliable. The text has a cadence that demands to be read out loud, performed, sung, or shouted with joy and veracity. James’ illustrations provide vibrant visualizations of the words, rich in color and movement. Boys’ brown faces radiate light, love, and the joyfulness of childhood so that readers can’t help but smile along as they read. . . . Despite this being intended for young readers, it would do no harm if it found its way into teenage hands as well, especially those already wounded by some of the predominant views of Black masculinity. . . . The need for a book like this, at a moment like this, could not be greater.”—Booklist, starred review* “Barnes and James reunite, after the multi-award-winning success of Crown, for this beautiful and necessary book that affirms Black boys and their right to thrive. James’s vibrant oil-paint illustrations harmoniously depict Black boys in motion, in contemplation, and in full vitality as they skateboard, swim, or stand contemplatively in the outdoors. Barnes’s refrain throughout the book . . . is a powerful, present-tense reminder that normalizes the robust lives Black boys deserve to live. . . . Lets Black boys know they are loved and valued just as they are, with unlimited possibilities. Movingly, one boy affirms for himself and for the reader, ‘I am not what they might call me, / and I will not answer to any name that is not my own.’ Fortunately, Barnes and James provide us with a range of powerful, positive names to call Black boys as they urge us to see them, to love them, and to let them live their lives as they deserve.”—Horn Book, starred review* “Page after page of empowering text speaks to energetic children everywhere, as the author-illustrator team behind Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut return with another top-notch celebration of Black boys. The catchy text exudes confidence. . . . Background characters are of various races, but the stars of every page are Black, and they explore, soar, soak up information, and make a difference. The pace slows as the speaker admits he sometimes is afraid of what others call him but refuses to let those attitudes define him. The vibrant illustrations reinforce the energy as groups and individuals share their gifts with the world, including a cameo by Barack Obama. Remembering their ancestors and their fathers, and acknowledging their own strengths, a line of boys gaze at the reader before the book’s final declaration. . . . Pulsing rhythms and bright images combine for a worthy and timely choice for every collection.”—School Library Journal, starred review* “An empowering ode to Black boy joy. In metaphor-driven verse, Barnes moves from the interpersonally specific (‘I am that smile forming on your face’) to the iconic (‘I am a grand slam,/ bases fully loaded’), and from the naturalistic (‘I am waves crashing gently on the shore’) to the historical (‘I am my ancestors’ wildest dream’). Employing rich textures and jewel tones in his fine art style, James paints Black boys of varying skin tones and ages engaging in work and play, solo and in community. . . . Together, James’s energetic portraiture and Barnes’s affirming text powerfully and ecstatically convey the idea that all Black boys are ‘worthy/ to be loved.’”—Publishers Weekly, starred review* “This first-person self-affirmation celebrates the multiple wonders of young Black boys. . . . Barnes’ playful, potent style draws on inviting metaphor to lift this well above the usual supportive picture book celebration, and the zippy turns of phrase prompt affectionate and personal reading aloud. James’ fluid, painterly oils show a gallery of young boys brimming over with magnificence, whether they’re swinging at a pitch, peering through a microscope, or beaming a dimpled smile out at the viewer; even the tender and quiet compositions have a dynamism that suggests a moment caught in an active life. The book’s powering of listeners to move past outside voices that diminish will be particularly welcome, and this will speak to audiences too young for Black Is King.”--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

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Book SynopsisA young boy's trip to the barber shop is a joyful celebration of confidence and self-esteem.The barber shop is where magic happens! Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty, aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good. Their grades improve, they get noticed, they feel good about themselves. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair. It's a tradition that places a figurative crown on their heads that perfectly confirms their brilliance and worth.Trade ReviewCrown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon James is a joy to read. Barnes’ words bounce off the page and ooze cool, and he perfectly captures the magic of a fresh haircut, and the self-esteem it confers. Alongside James’ powerful illustrations, this is a joyous book, perfect for sharing. * The Scotsman *Featured in The Bookseller's May Previews 2022. * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young ReadersA Newbery Honor BookA Caldecott Honor BookA Coretta Scott King Author Honor BookA Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor BookAn Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award BookAn Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor BookA Society of Illustrators Gold Medal BookNamed one of the best books of 2017 by NPR, the Huffington Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, the Horn Book Magazine, the News & Observer, BookPage, Chicago Public Library, and more The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.Educational resources for Crown can be found here.Trade ReviewPraise for Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut:“The swagger is on a million. The sauce is drippin’. . . . This book oozes with black cool and timely, much-needed black joy, using the unique and expansive experience of the barbershop to remind young boys that their inner lives have always mattered there. One of the best reads for young black boys in years, it should be in every library, media center, and, yes, barbershop.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “With language so hot you expect the words to ignite the page, Derrick Barnes endows the boy at this book’s center with flash, strut, pizzazz and the pure unregulated pride of knowing you look like a million bucks. Accompanied by layered paintings that bounce back the beat of the words like the sweetest of jazz riffs, here’s an ode to looking good and feeling great.” —Betsy Bird, NPR Book Concierge: Best Books of 2017 “Crown captures that extra bounce in your step as confidence crackles from the top of your freshly-shorn head down through your feet. With a flawless delivery, Barnes and James’ book is a celebration of self-esteem and a thoughtful nod to the importance of stepping into the world with a touch of swagger.” —The Huffington Post: Best Picture Books of 2017 “It’s not just a pleasure to read, it also does something important, and that is to show up and show out for black kids, black culture and black language. It’s about that time honored tradition for black folks of sitting in the chair at the barbershop, and the power of being seen as a black boy beyond stereotype out here in America. . . . Hook yourself up with this sweet and mighty book, both for you and your kids.” —Rebecca Carroll, Los Angeles Times Top Books of 2017 “Barnes’ language affirms the sacredness of the fresh-cut experience, which allows young black men to feel like kings.” —The Root “A powerfully moving tribute to barbershop culture . . . . Pride, confidence, and joy radiate from the pages, both in the black and brown faces of men, women, boys, and girls featured in Barnes’s majestic paintings, and in writing that celebrates human worth with every syllable.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “Themes of confidence-building, self-esteem, and joy of young black boys are the important takeaways, and the illustrations jump off the page and invite readers to share in the experience. A super fun read-aloud, this title is a recommended purchase for all picture book collections.” —School Library Journal, starred review “Alternately precise, metaphorical, and culturally specific, Barnes’s descriptions make each page a serendipity. . . . A not-to-be-missed portrayal of the beauty of black boyhood.” —Horn Book Magazine, starred review “The interchange between the art and the words lights the very pages on fire. . . A long overdue title we couldn't have waited another minute for.” —School Library Journal's A Fuse #8 Production Blog “Barnes mixes fresh and sharp lines with an integral part of the African American experience: maintaining one’s hair. Illustrator James deftly uses bright colors . . . and a colorful galaxy complements Barnes’ words well. The strong voice will resonate with readers, soothe any young child scared of their first cut, and give a boost of confidence to the seasoned pros.” —Booklist “In this homage to Black barbershops, the author perfectly captures the meaning of this rite of passage for Black boys. And breathtaking visuals by the infinitely creative Gordon C. James match the energetic text. If the first three tomes are any indication, Denene Millner Books will continue to highlight the best talent and reads for an audience who truly deserves both.” —Essence “Magnificent. . . . Let this young man’s strut, pizzazz, and pride show you what happens when you get a truly great haircut.” —Evanston Public Library “A top-notch paean to pride, community, and joy.” —Denver Public Library Best & Brightest Books of 2017 “I read this book three times, in quick succession, just so I could appreciate its pictures again and again.”—Houston Style Magazine “Crown is a book you should be looking for.” —The Washington Informer “To say that Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James knocked their first picture book out of the ballpark would be an understatement about a book with very little that is understated about it.” —KirkusReviews.com “Rhythmic, vibrant words plus bold, oil painting illustrations give this barbershop experience a swagger of its own.” —Imagination Soup “The perfect gift for all the fly young black boys in your life.” —Blavity.com “A burst of energy that makes you so happy it exists.” —Mr. Brian’s Picture Book Picks “A brilliant blend of text and illustration.” —Unpacking Picture Book Power “A beautifully written and illustrated tribute to little black and brown boys.” —Growing Book by Book “A book that begs to be read aloud. It begs to be shared and shared and shared.” —Abby the Librarian

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