Who Are Your People?

This timely release is fantastic for messaging, but some illustrations and word choices will raise eyebrows. Who Are Your People? is geared towards African American readers, and is simple yet inspirational in how it celebrates Black history. While African American readers will be able to identify, readers from other backgrounds will get to learn about Black culture, heritage, and historical figures. Since the historical figures and events are illustrated only (not named), the experience of reading this book can launch readers into more research about Black history.

More care could have been taken in the editing process to ensure that the illustrations were in alignment with some word choices. For example, one page includes Stacey Abrams as an image in the clouds with famous Black icons who have passed away. Images of Barack Obama and Kamala Harris appear on pages that mention, "Your people were trailblazers" along with other past-tense verbs that also give the impression that these important figures are no longer with us. It would have enhanced the reading experience to include a list of the influential people and historical events illustrated in the book so that families have a starting point for continuing to learn about the lives, contributions, and experiences of African Americans. Despite these drawbacks, the important message about knowing your people can be motivation for readers of all backgrounds to dig deeply and uncover their ancestry, and in the process, uncover themselves.