America, My Love, America, My Heart: A Powerful Picture Book About Race and Identity for Children (Ages 4-8) - Hardcover

Peoples-Riley, Daria

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062993291 ISBN 13: 9780062993298

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2021

Synopsis

America, do you love me?

Acclaimed author-artist Daria Peoples-Riley invites readers
to answer timely—and timeless—questions beating inside the hearts of children
across America. Exquisitely illustrated, with a powerful, lyrical text, America,
My Love, America, My Heart will challenge readers of all ages to examine
and evaluate personal beliefs and attitudes toward the many different colors of
America.


America, do you love me? My black. My brown. My pride.
My crown.


What begins as a single question from a single child
multiplies as America, My Love, America, My Heart sweeps across the
country with every page turn, inviting in more and more children of color—and
their questions. Does America love them when they speak? Or whisper? Or shout?
When they stand? Does America love them just as they are?


Inspired by the questions of her own childhood, author
and artist Daria Peoples-Riley has created a powerful and important book for
Americans of all ages—an essential addition to every bookshelf and classroom.
Her poetic text encourages readers to confront bias, prejudice, and
discrimination and invites readers to reflect and respond with their own
answers, while honoring the identities of black and brown children and people of
color.
The unforgettable monochromatic oil paintings incorporate patriotic
colors—red, white, and blue—to evoke deeply felt emotion and unique
perspective. This rich, resonant book is a conversation starter for children,
for families, for classrooms, and for communities. 

About this title

About the Author

Daria Peoples grew up in Paso Robles, California, in a household rich with culture. She has a degree in English from UC Santa Barbara and earned her master's in education from Regis University. The daughter of two educators, Daria Peoples has worked as an educator herself, teaching both English and art in elementary and middle schools and at the college level. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the author-illustrator of This Is It; I Got Next; America, My Love, America, My Heart; and Hello, Mister Blue.

Reviews

Gr 2-4-The endpapers of this book depict the red, white, and blue American flag with the Pledge of Allegiance written in its stripes as if they are lines of wide-ruled paper. This flag, as the Pledge states, stands for "liberty and justice for all." But does it really provide those things to all its citizens? Throughout the pages of this book, various Black children ask the flag-and, by extension, the nation itself-do you love me back? It becomes a powerful refrain. Louisiana Creole words are mixed in with Spanish and English. Like most of the pictures in this book, the people are colored with shades of gray, but they have a variety of natural hairstyles, braids, and beautiful hats. Besides gray, the only other colors that appear are red, white, and blue. Shirts and blouses are white, the sky is a pale blue, church walls are a vibrant red. The patriotic symbolism is evident, but because color is used so sparingly, and the narrative arc so muted, the sequencing can start to lag. This book interrogates the concept of a nation that asks for unconditional love, respect, and honor but does not provide them to all its people, equally, in return. Back matter includes the author's mission statement, the history of Louisiana Creole, and pictures of the author with her family. VERDICT A book that encourages children to ask questions, this is a solid for all Americans.-Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0062993291
• ISBN 13: 9780062993298
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Peoples-Riley Daria
• Number of pages: 40