Dear Black Child

Dear Black Child is a beautiful bold picture book written as a love letter to a Black child. The narrator encourages the Black child reader to take up space in the world and to be proud of their identity. The vibrant illustrations show several Black children with a range of skin tones and natural hair styles, each participating in various activities and in different environments, such as, in school, kayaking, dancing on stage, and spending time with friends and family. The diverse representation of Black characters also include a woman wearing a hijab, a child with vitiligo, and a child using a wheelchair.

This book aligns with the use of positive affirmations that have become popular in school and home settings with young children. At the same time, Dear Black Child also touches on some difficulties Black children might face, including “hurtful words from those who fear” them, and not seeing themselves “included in the history books.” The text encourages children to stand up and tell their own stories and “Drape yourself in courage and create sunlight where there is none” in response to hate.

The author, Rahma Rodaah, was born and raised in Somaliland before moving to Canada as a child. The illustrator, Lydia Mba, was born in Spain, and her mother is Spanish and her father is from Equatorial Guinea.

As a book specifically addressed to Black children, the positive messaging in Dear Black Child is important and could lead to some great conversations among families. It would be a beautiful addition to classrooms and libraries.