The author of The Patchwork Bike (illustrated by Van Thanh Rudd, 2016) writes to children about the meaning of the phrase Black Lives Matter.

Pastel illustrations, also by Clarke, on dark, textured paper are paired with oversized, contrasting text addressed to “Little one.” In the visuals, a family that begins as a couple expecting a baby grows into a family with a child and then becomes part of a community in protest, marching for Black lives, before a final page shows a jubilant Black boy in a cap and gown. The adult narrator explains that “when we say Black Lives Matter, / we’re saying Black people are wonderful-strong.” Other meanings of the rallying cry, when it is called out, screamed, sung, laughed, and known, include a demand for respect, a defiant joy, a channeling of ancestors, an acknowledgment of trouble, and knowing one’s worth. Clarke’s text is poignant and mesmerizing, with design elements that raise the text to an artistic level, shaping it around the art and highlighting active and emotional words in color: enough, dancing, radiant, precious. The art is truly outstanding, gripping the heart from the very first spread and not letting go. With colored shapes and stained-glass motifs, these Black figures feel real and weighty. Within this deep dive are tragedy, fear, anger, and mourning alongside hope, comfort, strength, and triumph. This slim book contains a necessary and healing exploration of our current moment that will remain relevant for decades to come.

An astonishing work of art and a crucial addition to every bookshelf. (Picture book. 4-10)

-Kirkus Review

A powerful poem illustrated with vibrant colors, celebrating Black lives in both struggle and joy. The rhyming text progresses through different verbs of expression - when we say Black Lives Matter, when we sing Black Lives Matter, when we whisper Black Lives Matter, when we sob, when we smile, when we laugh. The book doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of being Black in America, but neither does it neglect the importance of Black joy and resilience.

The illustrations are evocative without being graphic - a faceless line of police in riot gear, an abstract body outline suggesting a crime scene - and provide great opportunities for discussion with children of all ages and levels of understanding. Although the text is written from the perspective of a Black parent talking to their child, this book is a valuable read for families of all backgrounds. It serves as an explanation of the BLM movement (in the most beautiful, not-didactic way imaginable) as well as a vital message of empowerment for Black children and those who love them.

I recommend buying this book from your nearest Black-owned bookstore (https://lithub.com/you-can-order-today-from-these-black-owned-independent-bookstores/) and sharing it with the young people in your life. Be prepared for thoughtful, important conversations to follow. ( )

I'm very impressed with this book. It's not the easiest topic to explain to young children, not without watering it down a lot or making it all lighthearted but empty placations with little substance. The author has done a fantastic job of making this accessible for young audiences. The artwork is a beautiful accompaniment to the text. ( )

In 2013, the phrase "Black Lives Matter" launched a movement calling attention to police brutality and racially-motivated violence against Black people. While it was and is much needed given the treatment of the Black community, it also became a phrase weaponized by certain political parties, who used it as a means of mobilizing their constituencies by peddling the idea that the phrase means that only Black lives matter.

Author and illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke has sought to take back and clarify the phrase in the wake of the confusion and outright vitriol it has faced. Her picture book "When We Say Black Lives Matter" offers a poetic and uplifting explanation of what the phrase means to so many people. Addressed to a child, the book not only tells of how the phrase is a call for Black people to be treated with respect and receive basic human dignity but also how the phrase can be filled with joy and hope. Illustrations accompany and complement the text, and together they make for a powerful message. With references to Black history and culture as well as present-day challenges, "When We Say Black Lives Matter" is a vital and important call to action as well as a clarification of everything this phrase encompasses. ( )