Black Girls: A celebration of you!

by Dominique Furukawa, Erika Lynne Jones (Illustrator)

Overview

A joyful love letter to every Black girl everywhere.

In an upbeat and rhythmic ode, Dominique Furukawa and Erika Lynne Jones celebrate Black girls in all their beauty and joy. Black Girls uplifts girls of every shade, size, and walk of life, reminding them that they are perfectly designed.

Whimsical, earnest, charming, full, bright, and beautiful, this picture book anthem deftly explores the diversity of Black girlhood.

Black girls, Black girls, rising still.

Shouting loud and proud and free,

that being a Black girl, Black girl

is a wondrous thing to be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063205314
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/26/2023
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Dominique Furukawa is a licensed clinical social worker and foster youth advocate based in Los Angeles, California. In 2016, she co-founded We Foster LA, an organization that provides emergency supplies for children in the Los Angeles foster care system to the families that love them. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, going to the beach, and cooking with her husband and three beautiful children. As an author, Dominique hopes to create a sense of belonging for Black children.

Erika Lynne Jones is an author and illustrator of children’s books who has a lot of fun making cut paper collages to tell stories that bring children joy. She is also the illustrator of The Loud Librarian, written by Jenna Beatrice, and Black Girls, written by Dominique Furukawa. Erika grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and now lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three daughters. Erika, invites you to visit her and Zara at erikalynnejones.com.

Editorial Reviews

"An unapologetic exultation of Black girlhood." — Kirkus Reviews

"The ultimate “If you can dream it, be it,” picture book for little Black girls everywhere." — School Library Journal

This book is a wonderful celebration of the beautiful diversity of black girls and all the things they can be. Every library and home should have a copy! — Esau McCaulley, New York Times Contributing Opinion Writer

A beautiful and tender celebration of black girlhood. A joyful read! — Brit Bennett, Bestselling author of The Mothers and The Vanishing Half

From the Publisher

2023-06-21
“Black girl, it’s your world!”

Whether they have blond curls, sport rainbow braids, or wear hijab, all Black girls are commemorated in this book. Furukawa’s peppy verse chronicles a host of activities at which the characters excel, from “shredding at the skate park” to “making magic in the wings” to “sending rockets into space” to creating with “paint, / pens, prose and poetry.” Collagelike mixed-media illustrations brim with joy, depicting Black girls of various abilities and hues. On a spread portraying a group of girls in a field of wildflowers, “Each shade bursts forth, / magnificent! Black beauty abounds.” Laudably, the book also amplifies diversity in family life (depicting kids “who live with foster parents, Abuela, single mother” or “with mom and dad, a few sisters, and a brother”). Black girls are urged to aim high. The book includes a spread of three girls cavorting in front of the White House and concludes with images of icons such as Bessie Coleman, Shirley Chisholm, Madam CJ Walker, Ruby Bridges, Misty Copeland, and Simone Biles—stirring inspiration for future leaders and a wonderful teaching moment for little learners. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An unapologetic exultation of Black girlhood. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews