Parents' Guide to

America, My Love, America, My Heart

By Diondra Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Powerful poem asks the U.S. if it loves all its people.

Book Daria Peoples-Riley Picture Book 2021
America, My Love, America, My Heart Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

AMERICA, MY LOVE, AMERICA, MY HEART centers on the question, "America, do you love me?" This lyrical book compares the spirit of the American dream of inclusion with the realities of our world. It's told from the perspective of racially diverse American kids who question if they're truly loved and valued. "Do you love me from the inside out? Do you love me from the outside in?" Written as a poem, the book uses both concrete and abstract concepts to tell the story.

Is It Any Good?

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This beautifully created book is a timeless read for all Americans. Author-illustrator Daria Peoples-Riley uses melodic words and exquisite oil paintings to both challenge and inspire readers. The book contrasts the bold color pallette of the blue and red of the American flag with muted grays and white to tell the story and draw emotion from readers. This poetic book serves as a homage to all those who question their place in the United States, and it encourages them to love every part of themselves. It's also a call to action for those who are not aware of the imbalance that exists in our society, based on color and spoken language, and it can spark important conversations about these topics. America, My Love, America, My Heart allows readers to know that they are not alone, and that it's OK to question things as they are in order to create change.

Peoples-Riley takes a vulnerable role with this book, as she shares her own story of feeling different as a child in the Author's Note. She illustrates her journey from questioning her own identity and place in society to fully embracing who she is by including both Spanish and Louisiana Creole phrases in the text to celebrate her heritage.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how America, My Love, America, My Heart questions and challenges how and why people of different colors are treated differently in America. Have you ever felt treated differently for any reason? What could you do to help others who feel they're treated differently?

  • The author-illustrator includes words in Spanish and Louisiana Creole throughout the book to honor her family's heritage. Which language(s) do you speak in your family? Would you like to learn a new language?

  • Do you recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school? What is that experience like for you? Do you think there are children in your class who may feel differently than you do?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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