I AM EVERY GOOD THING BY DERRICK BARNES and ILLUSTRATED BY GORDON C. JAMES

From the dream team creators of CROWN: AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT comes I AM EVERY GOOD THING-- a meditation on the wondrous, multi-faceted greatness of Barnes' own 4 young boys and James' 2 young children that echoes affirmation and inspiration for children everywhere, but especially for Black boys. There's something special about picture books that are able to capture the assuredness, joy and community covering that comes with being a young Black boy in this world and I jump for joy when I discover books that capture this as poignantly and vividly as this one does-- that acknowledges the ways in which Black boys are sometimes afraid but nonetheless champions and never not triumphant and never not capable of joy. I am beyond excited to add this to my (err-- I mean, my family's) picture book collection, at providing my own 2 young sons with an incredible book that encourages them to know that they too are always-- and forever will be-- every good thing.