Beauty Woke - by Nonieqa Ramos (Hardcover)

About the Book

Beauty, who is of Taino Indian, African, and Boricua heritage, was taught to be strong and proud, but hatred toward people who look like her bruises her heart until her community opens her eyes to the truth.

Book Synopsis

Beauty Woke is a powerful story of pride and community, told with bold lyricism and the heart of a fairy tale, and readers looking for a next-generation Sleeping Beauty will fall in love with the vivid art and lyrical text.

Beauty is a Puerto Rican girl loved and admired by her family and community. At first, she's awake to their beauty, and her own--a proud Boricua of Taíno and African descent.

But as she grows older, she sees how people who look like her are treated badly, and she forgets what makes her special. So her community bands together to help remind her of her beautiful heritage!

Review Quotes

"An authentic and affirming celebration of culture, community, and self-acceptance." -- Booklist (starred review)

"Ramos' poetic ode to identity and validation winds itself through evocative imagery in both English and Spanish.... Each page exudes energy and passion. Escobar's powerful panorama of diversity is a blazing exclamation point to Beauty's triumphant journey. This bold manifesto of cultural awareness reaches out to awaken the sleepwalkers among us." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Ramos (Your Mama) continues to celebrate the strength and beauty of women and girls in a modern tale reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty.... Escobar's vivid, detailed illustrations are a feast for the eyes.... A tale for fans of fractured fairy tales and the trickster tales of Yuyi Morales. A recommended purchase." -- School Library Journal

About the Author

NoNieqa Ramos is an educator who wrote The Disturbed Girl's Dictionary, a 2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens, a 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection, and a 2019 In the Margins Award Top Ten pick. Her debut picture book, Your Mama, earned a starred review from School Library Journal. She is a proud member of Las Musas, the Soaring 20s, and PB Debut Troupe 21. She lives in Virginia with her family. www.nonieqaramos.com, Twitter: @nonieqaramos Instagram: @nonieqa.ramos

Paola Escobar is a Colombian graphic designer and illustrator. Her portfolio is incredibly versatile and she has worked for a variety of publishers worldwide as well as across a broad range of printed and digital magazines. She currently works as a freelance illustrator and lives very happily in Bogota with her husband and dog, Flora.
Instagram: @paoesco8ar Twitter: @paolaesco8ar