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Buster is the big fish in a small pond: he is the bully of his fish tank who terrorizes all the smaller fish. But when he gets kicked out and sent to the ocean for his bullying behavior, a shark bullies him! Buster quickly finds a safe hiding spot and as he catches his breath, he reflects on how it feels to be on the receiving end of a bully’s bashing. So, when Buster sees another little fish in danger of being eaten by the same shark, he comes to the rescue and saves them both. Having gone from bully to bullied to brave, Buster discovers the error of his previous bullying ways and vows to change for the better. This rhyming picture book shows the perspective of both the bully and the bullied, within the same character, and clearly shows how someone could have a change of heart through experience and empathy.
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Before the Ships is a powerful and poetic celebration of the early roots of Black history. The great achievements and accomplishments across Africa prior to the Transatlantic slave trade are told through melodious text and evocative illustrations, that culminate into the strength and resilience of modern-day Black people.
For so many of us, the first introduction to Black history begins with lessons about slavery. While slavery is a crucial part of African-American history, it is not the beginning. In fact, there is a rich history tied to the continent of Africa that deserves to be told and to be marveled at-- which is exactly what Maisha Oso does in Before the Ships. With sparse yet moving text, Maisha takes us back in time to before the advent of the Transatlantic slave trade. We see the grandness of African royalty, the bravery of warriors like the Queen of Kush, and stories being told in song with griots and drums. Candice Bradley's gorgeous and reflective illustrations illuminate the strength of Black history and Black joy, reminding readers about the power within us all.
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My hair is a book.
Watch me open it, part it,
take a look.
Black people’s hair has been telling stories for generations, from ponytails of ancient tribes to cornrows that mapped paths to freedom for enslaved Africans. There have been stories about dance with styles that twist and swoop, and the sweetest tales of cinnabuns and Afro puffs made perfect in the hottest kitchens.
In each of these stories, one notion rings true: Black hair is everything—a thesaurus, an atlas, and more—rich with history, telling of truth, trials, and undeniable beauty.
Maisha Oso’s powerful and uplifting text and London Ladd’s soul-stirring illustrations capture the remarkable nature of Black hair and remind us that whether it be curly, kinky, coarse, or straight, Black hair is beautiful.