Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Activist and athlete Kaepernick and his partner, radio and TV personality Diab, introduce young readers to the idea of universal rights. Positive affirmations abound as children are told about their various freedoms: to move and play, to be safe, to live, to speak, and even to grow. Jose’s illustrations follow two young Black children taking part in a variety of activities alongside members of their diverse community: building a playground, painting a mural featuring an image of Malcolm X, playing music and dancing, and protesting in front of a school. Writing in rhyming verse, the authors set an optimistic tone: “Your truth is your strength, like the roots of a tree.” They acknowledge that “life can be tough, and not always fair” but urge young readers to persist. The cartoonish visuals tend toward the predictable, often directly reflecting the text; as the authors encourage youngsters to “weather the storm on your path and not stray,” the accompanying images show a child gazing up at dark clouds and hunkering down under a folded newspaper held by a loving parent. Still, Kaepernick and Diab’s simple but resonant words are ideal for sparking conversation among youngsters. In their authors’ note, they discuss Know Your Rights Camp, the nonprofit they founded to further the well-being of Black and brown communities; the book ends with the organization’s 10 tenets. An upbeat and informative book for the next generation’s littlest leaders.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.