Common Sense Media Review
By Terreece Clarke
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Motivational poem brought to life in full color.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In HEY BLACK CHILD, poet Useni Eugene Perkins proclaims all the reasons children -- and black children in particular -- should be proud of who they are and believe in what they can achieve. With lines like "Do you know you can be what you want to be if you try to be what you can be?" Perkins talks about what kids can be, can learn, and can do. What will you want to be?
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully illustrated book adds a visual dimension to the popular poem of the same name and underscores its powerful message. With its optimism and motivation, the poem "Hey Black Child" went viral for many reasons, including its appeal to kids, who recite it with all of the joy and rhythm the poem evokes. Poet Useni Eugene Perkins bolsters the self-esteem and imagination of students and parents alike. And illustrator Bryan Collier's art is a delight.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the visual impact of Hey Black Child. What cool art elements do you see in the book? How do they fit in with the poem?
Why do you think the videos featuring children reciting the poem "Hey Black Child" went viral? What makes those videos important?
How does the poem make you feel? What's your favorite part?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Bryan Collier
- Genre : Poetry
- Topics : History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : November 14, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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