Black Boy, Take Flight - by Mahogany L Browne (Hardcover)

About the Book

A luminous, poetic picture book that celebrates the boundless beauty, strength, and joy of Black boyhood with lyrical language, vibrant illustrations, and deep cultural pride.

Book Synopsis

Dear Black Boy
You will teach the world
How to shine brightly
Just by being yourself

Celebrate the imagination, hard work, laughter, and dreams of Black boys with this expressive, empowering text from poet and author Mahogany L. Browne. With vibrant illustrations from artist Sawyer Cloud, this picture book is perfect for honoring big milestones and finding joy in everyday moments--a heartwarming and jubilant love letter to Black boys everywhere.

Review Quotes

Praise for Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of the Year

"This collection of poems by women of color covers topics relating to social justice, activism, discrimination and empathy, focusing on the need to speak out and inspiring middle-graders." --Vogue

★ "An irresistible invitation to take up space. Read it; gift it; use it to challenge, protect, and grow." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "An important book that demands to be seen. It adds to the conversation of #OwnVoices and speaks to a young person's need for expression and social justice." --School Library Journal, starred review

"These poems combine clear declarations with easy-to-grasp metaphors to convey progressive values... With its references to figures such as Janet Mock and Trayvon Martin, it's a useful conversation-starter on the topic." --Publishers Weekly

"Worth adding to any youth poetry collection, Woke will call out to and empower its readers with a reminder that 'our voice is our greatest power.'" --Booklist

Praise for Black Girl Magic

"Browne celebrates a Black girlhood that is free, unforgettable, and luminous." --School Library Journal

"The persuasive, powerful, and lyrical delivery with which Browne imbues the originally spoken-word poem translate to the page in bold, blocky, yet quivering text, displaying the vulnerability and hopefulness of Browne's message." --Booklist

"An emerging, beloved tome for black girls of all ages to read and share in classrooms and conferences, over brunch, on a lazy Sunday in autumn, or whenever or wherever one needs an assuring word." --Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Woke Baby

"Every baby needs this book." --Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times-bestselling author

"Bubbling with an easy joy and nascent sense of justice." --Kirkus Reviews

"An inspiring look at who a baby might grow up to be." --Romper

About the Author

Mahogany L. Browne is a poet, writer, organizer, and educator. She is the founder of Woke Baby Book Fair, an initiative for diverse children's literature, and was the inaugural poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center. She has published several books of poetry and books for young readers including A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe, Chlorine Sky, Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice, Woke Baby, and Black Girl Magic. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.