How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter
by Laleña Garcia (Author) Caryn Davidson (Illustrator)
The first children's book to feature material from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, this beautiful picture book will engage hearts and minds as it introduces children to the guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
When the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013, the three founders -- Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal (now Ayo) Tometi -- anchored its work in a list of guiding principles, developed through conversation with other activists. These principles commit the movement to empathy, loving engagement, and just action among its participants; affirm the importance of Black women, families, elders, and LGBTQ folk; and celebrate the strength and diversity of Black people in their communities and around the globe.
Now young people can explore these powerful principles in How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter -- the first children's book to include material from the founders' organization, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. Created by two teachers with more than thirty-five years of educational experience between them, How We Can Live presents the guiding principles in down-to-earth, child-friendly language, accompanied by vibrant portraits of real people -- many of them present-day or historical activists for human rights and racial justice. Questions on every spread encourage discussion of and reflection on the principles, and supporting materials include an introduction for children that explains the history of the movement and its relevance for their lives, and an afterword for adults on how to approach the topic with children. An essential resource for anyone discussing racial equity with young people, How We Can Live offers a beautiful and inspiring lens on the most important social justice movement of our time.
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Publishers Weekly
Published with the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and structured around guiding principles used by Black Lives Matter at School, this authoritative, information-dense book defines Black Lives Matter principles for young readers. In an introduction, Garcia writes that the phrase serves as both reminder and promise: "We are REMINDING ourselves and others that the world is still not fair, and we are PROMISING to work to make the world fair." Subsequent spreads define concepts in kid-friendly language, among them unapologetically Black, empathy, loving engagement, and restorative justice, alongside terms of inclusion, such as intergenerational, and queer- and transgender-affirming. Davidson's crisp portraiture--which depicts historical leaders, contemporary activists, and everyday people--is presented alongside facial silhouettes that form repeating motifs of hearts, florals, starbursts, and abstract patterns. An adult-oriented afterword balances information for readers in this basic introduction to an organization and a movement. Ages 4-10. (Oct.)
Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
Gr 1-5--This picture book was created by the three founders of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Ayo, who developed a set of guiding principles that honor the value of Black women, families, and LGBTQIA persons. Since its inception in 2013, the Black Lives Matter Movement has been instrumental in highlighting racism, discrimination, and racial inequality towards Black people. This book reaffirms those principles into language that children can connect with. For example, the BLM Principle of Diversity advocates, "We are committed to acknowledging, respecting and celebrating difference(s) and commonalities." Here, it is written for children as, "When we get to hear ideas from lots of people, we get smarter, when we work together, our communities get stronger." Each BLM guiding principle is reworked to stay true to the source but accessible to children, with thoughtful guiding questions for further reflection and discussion. In addition, each principle includes brightly colored illustrations of modern or historical Black activists, artists, or everyday community members. An introduction explains the origins of the BLM movement and an afterword for adults includes advice for how to deal with questions young people might have about racial inequality or injustice. Exceptionally well-written, it offers many opportunities to further the discussion of BLM without focusing on violence but instead instilling hope. VERDICT An important message for all young people, this is approachable but profound in its message, and a welcome addition to any elementary library.--Carol Connor
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Laleña Garcia has been teaching children in New York City since 2000, and educators across the country since 2017. How We Can Live grew out of her work with Black Lives Matter at School, a coalition of educators and parents striving for racial justice in education. A graduate of Yale University and Bank Street College of Education, she lives in Brooklyn. Please visit her website at rootedkids.org and follow her on Instagram at @blm_in_kindergarten.
Caryn Davidson studied Anthropology and Visual Art at Brown University and received her MA in arts education from NYU. Since the start of her career in education in 2004, she founded and developed the arts programs at three public schools in New York City and also led initiatives to promote culturally relevant pedagogy and socially just practices within those school communities. She now teaches art at the high school level in Brooklyn, NY, where she also lives. You can find her on the web at caryndavidson.com and on Instagram at @caryn_arts.
Conduct of life
Social psychology
Philosophy
Black lives matter movement
African American political activists
