A young girl transcends opinions of her to hold space for herself and own the person she is both inside and out. Powerful, full-page illustrations and striking use of color push the limits of the picture book form.

Art by Shamar Knight-Justice | Shane brings his community together after a broken speaker threatens to end his Jamaican American community's weekly dancehall parties. Told in colorful collage illustrations, this is an exuberant story filled with joy that highlights one of NYC's most dynamic enclaves.

Art by Frank Morrison | Manolo, a shy Puerto Rican boy, discovers confidence that he never knew existed when he joins a break dancing team in the Boogie Down Bronx. Bold illustrations highlight the energetic dance moves of him and his crew in this historical fiction tale about the birth of hip-hop.

Art by Kitt Thomas | A young Black child draws strength from their beloved superhero cape after the death of a loved one. Evocative and immersive illustrations and gentle text convey the experience of grief from a child's perspective.

Ever wonder how those sneakers got on the power line? In this exuberant, energetic, and neon-hued story, a group of city kids develop skills beyond their wildest dreams as they search for an answer that "only the birds know."

Art by Nikkolas Smith | Keira and Bianca are best friends, but only at school. At home, Bianca's family flies a Confederate flag, and their differing perspectives on the flag's meaning cause conflict. When a tragedy occurs in their community, they must grapple with the flag's impact and racist history.

Art by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey | There's a party at the Schomburg Center and everyone's invited! Through a cast of famous luminaries of the 20th century, this beautiful and moving celebration of the life and work of Langston Hughes is told through handmade stamped illustrations and poetic text.

Art by E.B. Lewis | A young girl and her neighbors walk together to participate in an important act of democracy: voting! Photorealistic illustrations modeled after a real-life town highlight how the difficult journey to the polls can be made easier through the power of community.