Dapo Adeola is an award-winning illustrator and designer who creates characters and images that challenge expectations around race and gender in a fun and upbeat way. This remarkable picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black artists of today.

written by Nathan Bryon and published by Puffin in 2019, which won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2020.To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo Adeola and eighteen more incredible Black illustrators in one remarkable and cohesive reading experience. The Author's Note reads: "This book grew out of an emotional response to the events of 2020: the tragic story of George Floyd and the global protests that followed; the mass awakening to the impacts of structural racism. From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it’s an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly. Reggie loves drawing vivid scenes of Black children and families that include expressive, unforgettable characters that make children and adults want to read and re-read those stories.

As the most iconic and well-known children’s book brand in the UK today, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to tell the world’s favourite stories and for brilliant new debut talent and brands that connect with today’s young readers, from newborn up to twelve years old. Award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola and eighteen other Black illustrators to celebrate the ways Black children can make their way through the difficulties and challenges that racism creates in our world. There was just the right amount of choice to suit everyone without being overwhelming and I received comments from parents and staff about the quality of books offered compared to previous sales which have always been based around current crazes and well known celebrity authors.A motivational and inspirational picture book about exploring, and embracing, your individual traits. Yesterday a parent came over to tell me how impressed she was by the book fair and that you did a fabulous job of selling the books to the children first. Instead, he urges, be curious, ‘ dream your own dreams’ and stand up against those who try to silence. Gladys is the illustrator of FRESH PRINCESS (HarperCollins, 2019), THE ELEPHANTS HIDE AND SEEK HANDBOOK (Sourcebooks 2020) LEONORA BOLT: SECRET INVENTOR (Puffin 2021) as well as a chapter book series for EPIC! Dapo illustrated My Dad is a Grizzly Bear and My Mum Is a Lioness written by award-winning author Swapna Haddow (both published by Macmillan Children’s Books), and collaborated with Malorie Blackman on their picture book We’re Going to Find the Monster!

The Independent”This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from black illustrators. The Guardian”From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it’s an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly.

Onyinye Iwu is a freelance children’s book illustrator and author based in London, she has practiced as a freelance illustrator and designer for over 10 years working on a range of design briefs and projects but mainly focusing on the uplifting and representation of people of African and Caribbean background in publishing, media and the arts.