Description

“…to be revisited again and again…The candy-colored pages and straightforward stories are hard to resist…” -The New York Times

“Gorgeously illustrated…vibrant and comprehensive…will be brought down from the bookshelf again and again” -Evening Standard

“Glorious celebration of 52 black heroes…big and bold…this is what young people of all races need to see.” -The Independent

“An essential book for inspiring even the tiniest children to face the world with boldness and self-belief.” -The Observer

Meet 52 icons of colour from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement – a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins’ colourful and celebratory illustrations.

Written in the spirit of Nina Simone’s song “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black,” this vibrant book is a perfect introduction to both historic and present-day icons and heroes. Meet figureheads, leaders and pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks, as well as cultural trailblazers and athletes like Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams.

All children deserve to see themselves represented positively in the books they read. Highlighting the talent and contributions of black leaders and changemakers from around the world, readers of all backgrounds will be empowered to discover what they too can achieve. Strong, courageous, talented and diverse, these extraordinary men and women’s achievements will inspire a new generation to chase their dream… whatever it may be.

The 52 icons: Mary Seacole, Matthew Henson, Ava Duvernay, Bessie Coleman, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Cathy Freeman, George Washington Carver, Malorie Blackman, Harriet Tubman, Mo Farah, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jesse Owens, Beyonce Knowles, Solange Knowles, Katherine Johnson, Josephine Baker, Kofi Annan, Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Brian Lara, Madam C.J. Walker, Yannick Noah, Maurice Ashley, Alexandre Duma, Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Simone Biles, Stevie Wonder, Esperanza Spalding, Sidney Poitier, Oprah Winfrey, Pele, Nelson Mandela, Louis Armstrong, Rosa Parks, Naomi Campbell, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Muhammad Ali, Shirley Chisholm, Steve McQueen, Zadie Smith, Usain Bolt, Wangari Maathai, Mae Jemison, W.E.B. Du Bois, Nicola Adams, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Misty Copeland.

If you like this book, check out Young, Gifted and Black Too, for 52 more inspiring icons! For younger readers, Baby Young Gifted and Black is perfect to introduce litte ones to these trailblazers who changed the world.

Publisher Review

'The book addresses a serious problem: the stories we encounter in films, on television and even at school often give a limited view of the achievements of black people...it's truly inspiring and energising read.' * The Week Junior * 'This book is a perfect introduction to historic and present-day icons...' * Scotland4kids * 'If you have faced adversity or have sympathy for those who have, then this book is for you.' * AOI * 'A truly international and much-needed volume.' * Bookseller * In a world dominated by white privilege this book is a brilliant new addition to an arsenal of education about the stars of our multi-cultural world who are so often ignored or airbrushed out of history. -- Teen Librarian * Teen Librarian * 'Covering a wide spectrum of gifts, talents and trailblazing feats, the book is brought to stunning life by Andrea Pippins' beautiful and distinctive illustrations...This is a beautifully-packaged, very accessible read and should serve as inspiration for a generation of young readers' * Reading Zone * This inspiring, illuminating, stylishly accessible anthology invites young readers to discover and celebrate phenomenal forebears and contemporary catalysts, while encouraging them to blaze their own inimitable trails...with such a dazzling diversity of talents portrayed here (from writers, musicians, dancers and visual artists, to sports people, scientists and politicians), this book has much to inspire a real range of young readers. -- Lovereading4Kids * Lovereading4Kids * If you haven't already please pre-order Young, Gifted and Black with words by the incomparable @jamiaw and illustrations from the darling @andreagpippins. -- Black Girls Book Club * Black Girls Book Club * 'Readers from five to eight should be inspired by Jamia Wilson's Young, Gifted and Black, with celebratory illustrations by Andrea Pippins.' * Guardian * 'This is an essential book for inspiring even the tiniest children to face the world with boldness and self-belief.' * The Observer * 'Pippins' vibrant illustrations are matched perfectly with Wilson's clear, readable mini biographies and the book covers everything from sports stars to writers and political activists. You'll have trouble resisting the urge to cut pages out to hang on your walls.' * Scoop *