Thirteen Ways of Looking

I treasure my 5 grandsons. They are not the same and their beauty comes out in so many different ways. They are creative, active, silly, mischievous, wise, and they are readers. Today, the media generally highlights the killing of Black boys along with emphasizing their faults. Sometimes there is not one nice image that can be seen of them on television or the movies, yet so many of us know that beautiful Black boys exist all over this world. I thank Tony Medina for writing these thirteen LOVE poems to celebrate the existence of Black boys. The quickness of words to show the joy, the pride, the experiences, and the world that surrounds them makes the reader smile and pause at the end of each 31 syllables. THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT A BLACK BOY is also lifted up by the awesome 13 Black artists that gifted each page to create this book. The images are funny, family, adventurous, and glow with love. Yes, I thank Tony Medina for writing this book because it also represents a writer that was once one of those beautiful Black Boys!!!

I’ve been waiting for my copy and it finally arrived tonight. As a mother of two black boys, I’m always looking for books that reinforces their beauty, strength, power, and most importantly worth. This book offers a perspective not common in literature for kids, especially kids of color. To be referred to as kings, to elevate the swag that is them, to make it known the role that black boys growing into a men play in their community..... the author does a fantastic job putting forth what I know to be true about my black boys and the many black boys I’ve had the privilege to teach, watch grow, and even encounter on the fly. On top of that, the artistry is phenomenal. The illustrations really bring the words to life! Vivid, colorful, precise, warm, and unique in each way! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Tony Medina!

Amazing illustrations and heartwarming poetry to share the love every child should know. A celebration of sons. I read as the author wrote, and gained empathy for the love and fear mothers of bipoc children for their beautiful babies of all ages. I love and worry about my own, but know in this day, there exists a level of concern that I'll never fully grasp. I thank the artists for making this text come alive.

I got this book because I love what Dr Medina is all about and how this book encourages my son! My son is learning to read and this book helps him learn to see himself positively in the world. We talk about the pictures and I simply enjoy how he engages with this book. It’s a part of our nightly reading sessions before bed!!I could think of a million ways to see a black boy! This book highlights 13 that are pretty cool!

I purchased the paperback version...pictures are a bit small for full appreciation...saw a hardcover copy at B & N and the pics/art work were stunningly beautiful...wish I'd waited and purchased the hardcover copy to share with family.