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Useni Eugene Perkins
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Hey Black Child Hardcover – Picture Book, November 14, 2017

by Useni Eugene Perkins (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,559 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Bryan Collier brings this classic, inspirational poem to life, written by poet Useni Eugene Perkins.

Hey black child,

Do you know who you are?

Who really are?Do you know you can be

What you want to be

If you try to be

What you can be?

This lyrical, empowering poem celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young people to dream big and achieve their goals.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Dimensions
    9.5 x 0.5 x 11.25 inches
  6. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    November 14, 2017
  8. ISBN-10
    0316360309
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0316360302
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3—Collier's characteristic watercolor-and-collage masterpieces bring joy and gravity to Perkins's inspirational poem. With a compelling rhythm that begs for recitation, the verse (often misattributed to Countee Cullen) celebrates the power and potential of black children. The illustrations pair young black faces with visions of their successful futures as astronauts, artists, politicians, and more and feature some of the artist's favorite motifs, including soaring balloons and rays of light. The visuals also contribute historical heft to the lyrical affirmation, layering images from African civilizations, the civil rights movement, and Black Lives Matter into the spreads, connecting the book's triumphs to African Americans' roots and ongoing struggles against racism and oppression. The poem closes with a reminder of the importance of the contributions of black children and the adults they grow up to be: "Be what you can be/Learn what you must learn/Do what you can do/And tomorrow your nation/Will be what you want it to be." Author and illustrator notes ensure that dedicated readers can appreciate all the fine details in the text and visuals. VERDICT A rousing celebration and call to action, this book is a great choice for every library.—Robbin E. Friedman, Chappaqua Library, NY

Review

Praise for Hey Black Child:



A School Library Journal Top 20 Books of the Year Pick




* "This book dazzles in every way and is bound to inspire so many more viral videos of black children speaking their abundant futures into existence. All black children need to know Perkins' prideful poem, possibly by heart, because it's really that doggone good."
―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Perkins's poem has always made for a stirring recitation; new and old fans will find that Collier's images do full justice to it."―Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Collier's characteristic watercolor-and-collage masterpieces bring joy and gravity to Perkins's inspirational poem. With a compelling rhythm that begs for recitation, the verse celebrates the power and potential of black children... A rousing celebration and call to action, this book is a great choice for every library."―School Library Journal, starred review

"The punchy text and the invigorating art make this a wonderful choice for story hours or classroom discussion where children can voice their own dreams."―Booklist

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (November 14, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316360309
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316360302
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 0.5 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,559 ratings

About the author

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Useni Eugene Perkins

Useni Eugene Perkins

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

Ruth Pierce
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is such an empowering book for young Black kids!! I love it when they begin to repeat it on their own from memory - it's powerful!! I buy this book for every child I am in constant contact with because of the power it gives to them!! The quality is great as well - it's perfect for a 6 year old learning to read, but a 1 year old won't ruin it because it's strong. The pictures are beautiful too. Overall a great book and a fantastic purchase!!
I asked my 6 year old step-son about his new teacher and he replied, "She looks like the people in the Hey Black Child book." I couldn't have been happier.
2 people found this helpful
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Mrs. ivr
5.0 out of 5 stars I guess the students are memorizing the poem because they connected with the words and the rhyme or beat of the piece. I luv it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
Learning to memorize and repeat the words to Hey Black Child has taken almost 6 months, for some of my 4 & 5 year olds. But, just as they appeared pleased with themselves when they learned a new word or line to a Mother Goose Rhyme, you should check them out as they recite more and more of this poem! They look at each other and smile during practice (we are saying it for our end of the school year celebration). When they are shooting baskets on our playground I heard one young one say,"do you know you are strong? I mean r e a l l y strong!" after he managed to put enough upward force & direction behind the ball that went into the basket...his teammates clapped and recited with him. His pleasure/confidence with himself brought a tear to my eye. Individually, the words in this poem not new to the children but the words are meaningful to them - you would think some Rap Music Star was touring with the poem.
26 people found this helpful
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Jae
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Children
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
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I absolutely love this book. I've purchased about 6 so far. Great gift for Black children!
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Katrina love
5.0 out of 5 stars Great quick read
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
My Goddaughter loves reading the book, or hearing me read it. She 3 years old and the pics to the words help her stay focus. She started pointing to the words trying to repeat what I say.
Durability is great. I see this book lasting till she had kids.

I love the positivity it gives a child of color. Hopefully it does not get band.
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GIGI
5.0 out of 5 stars Motivational message for Black children
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023
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Great book with an awesome Motivational message for Black children.
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Janice Bush
5.0 out of 5 stars Brown Skin Kids
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2023
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Any positive book regarding brown skin kids, is a 5 star for me!
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Tweety Bird
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022
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I loved the story line!!!! It was so encouraging!!!! I gave this to our youth at church of all ages. It was a great gift!!!!
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Paula
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Children’s Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2023
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Great book to add to your children’s literature collection!!!
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Top reviews from other countries

Malath
5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering book
Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
Looove reading this book to my nephew. Every time i visit he grabs it for me to read to him. The pictures are great and words are empowering :)
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nancy hagan
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love the book
Its simplicity but inspiring words and pictures makes it easy for
the young people of colour to identify and learn from.
I first heard "hey black child"as a poem on youtube being recited by a 3 year old
girl Pe'Tehn and it inspired me a lot to buy the book.
Since then i have encouraged parents of colour to buy it for their children.
Only problem is who was the real writer as we have 3 names.
Otherwise beautiful wonderful book.
And i will say thank you.
One person found this helpful
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Ashley minatee
5.0 out of 5 stars Great poem for black children
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
Beautiful poem. My son gets excited every time I say “hey black child.”
One person found this helpful
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S Pascall
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful poem and illustrations.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Beautifully illustrated and a positive message for all children.
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Sara
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
I absolutely love this book for my children
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