The New Brownies' Book: A Love Letter to Black Families

by Karida L. Brown

“[A] heartfelt tribute to young people of color and their ‘reflection of resplendent beauty, ancient history ... and irreplaceable value.’ It’s a standout.” ―Publishers Weekly , starred review 

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of W. E. B. Du Bois, this beautiful collection brings together an outstanding roster of Black creative voices to honor, celebrate, and foster Black excellence.

The New Brownies’ Book reimagines the very first publication created for African American children in 1920 as a must-have anthology for a new generation. Expanding on the mission of the original periodical to inspire the hearts and minds of Black children across the country, esteemed scholar Karida L. Brown and award-winning artist Charly Palmer have gathered the work of more than fifty contemporary Black artists and writers. The result is a book bursting with essays, poems, photographs, paintings, and short stories reflecting on the joy and depth of the Black experience—an immersive treasure trove that reminds readers of all ages that Black is brilliant, beautiful, and bold.

IMPORTANT HISTORICAL In 1920, W. E. B. Du Bois and the founders of the NAACP published The Brownies’ A Monthly Magazine for Children of the Sun , which included art, stories, letters, and activities to inspire children, share Black history, and celebrate their identities. As the first periodical for African American youth, this was an important work in the history of children’s literature.  The New Brownies’ Book revives its mission to inspire the young readers of today.

INCREDIBLE This book features the work of talented and exciting Black creators, including playwright and poet Ntozake Shange, writer and editor Damon Young, Def Poetry Jam co-creator and painter Danny Simmons, sociologist and educator Dr. Bertice Berry, children’s book illustrator James E. Ransome, muralist Fabian Williams, collage artist Marryam Moma, and many more. 

BEAUTIFUL This collection presents a celebratory array of artwork, from detailed paintings and drawings to photographs and collages. It includes stories meant to be shared by children and adults, offering a way for all families—especially Black families—to connect across generations through the power of literature. With its meaningful content and deluxe packaging, this hardcover volume makes a thoughtful gift for new parents, grandparents, or inquisitive readers of all ages.

Perfect

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, History, African American, Essays

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2023

Reviews

[Rachael Dockery · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous meditation on and ode to Black joy and excellence. Just exquisite.

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black History Month - Book 6

A delight! A love letter to black children & families!

[Educator · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974
.
WEB Duboiscreated the Brownies book for Black youth ages 6 to 16. This reimagination is everything. It is powerful, invokes thought and emotions and a mixture of photos, prose, poetry and art.

I believe Mr. DuBois would be proud. Every school and collector should have a copy of this book.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1920 W.E.B. DuBois started the monthly Brownie magazine for Black youth. This is a love letter, updated. Although I am not the target audience it was still fun to look at the art and read the essays.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really is a love letter to Black families. Essays, art, poems from the known and unknown. I remember reading about the original brownies books and wishing we still had them today. The art is gorgeous. I wish the “sayings” section was longer because there are so many gems. Youth are the audience of many of the essays but I don’t know how many would actually pick up this book. ARC from NetGalley for honest review

[thewanderingjew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Brownies’ Book, A Love Letter to Black Families, Dr. Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer
This book is an ode to Black people, and this book accomplishes that goal well. When it arrived, I didn’t want to crack the cover for fear of marring its beauty. The cover is magnificent in its expression of the black struggle and black hope.
A beautiful child, dressed in a magnificent dress, an angel, but an angel with a ferocious and proud expression graces the cover. Throughout the entire book, the message is clear that black is beautiful, black is worthy and black is worth fighting for. In addition to expressing the views of W. E. B. Du Bois, who believed in socialism and activism, I wish it had expressed a bit more of the need to rise through the maintenance of the family unit and a valuable good education. Brown and Palmer are examples of how far a black person can go and how great can be a black person’s achievement.
Activism alone often descends into unnecessary violence and suffering. There have been times when some have attempted to coopt the message in order to cause chaos. The absence of any mention of Dr. Ben Carter, and Supreme Court Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Robert Woodson, and Jacqueline Woodson, among so many others today who preach beauty and unity, was a loss for me. However, the book captures the very real fear, the beauty of the dreams, the actual progress and the despair of the failures of the past with its presentation of the works in the book.
The art work, the photographs, the poetry, essays, short stories all express the beauty of black culture and black history and hopefully will influence a better way forward.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The New Brownies' Book is a beautifully photographed and curated collection of words and pictures based on W.E.B. Du Bois' original Brownies' Book (magazine published in 1920-21), and full of art and stories for and about black kids and their experiences. Released 10th Oct 2023 by Chronicle Books, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a beautifully edited anthology and a worthwhile read. The editors, Dr. Karida L. Brown, and fine artist Charly Palmer, have done a thorough job of curating a collection that is positive, thought provoking, uplifting, and visually appealing. The various writers and visual artists whose works make up the contributions are a mixed lot, but all contribute something tangible to the book as a whole. Readers will definitely be challenged, but also will be moved. This is a collection which is entirely age-appropriate, and it will be a good selection for public or school library acquisition, but will also affect adults in a different way, with a deeper understanding.

Five stars. Definitely worthwhile.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Magen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this after reading Brit Bennett's Meet Claudie as part of the American Girl series and in it our main character Claudie loves Brownies' Book periodical. I went to turn that book in and happened to see this on our library's 'New' section. What a marvelous collection of culture and history I'd never known about! Incorporating new art and stories inspired by the original Brownies' Book as well as images from original editions.

[Kiara Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was phenomenal. I didn’t know the history of the brownies’ book. This was a fresh twist on the original. I loved that it educated me about what the original was. I appreciated how the compilation included works from some of the original issues. The artwork so was vivid. They included learning activities. The submissions included all age groups. I’ve never seen anything like it. I love this iteration of the concept and I wish it was something I could gift to my nieces and nephews. The various stories and poems were touching.

[Debra Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 1920 WEB DuBois published The Brownies Book, an NAACP magazine for children. In this New Brownies book, the authors not only include some of the original writings ( including Langston Hughes first published work), but publish original stories, INCREDIBE artwork, photographs and poetry for children. A beautiful book with an uplifting message for young folks.

[Aaron Beswick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book with stunning artwork that truly is a tribute to Black families. But I wanted more. This book celebrates Black children but mostly through adult creators. More writing and art from children would have been powerful. Even so, the book is wonderful. I hope it inspires more work based on the original Brownies' Books, especially ones that amplify Black children's voices.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful! The pictures and the poems are page-turners. The essays are written so that you can imagine what is going on in the story, which is thoroughly engrossing.

I will get this book in hardcover for my coffee table and also to gift to friends who appreciate art.

[Richetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Brownies' Book is a beautiful tapestry of artwork, poetry and essays. I'm so glad the authors took on this reimagining of W.E.B. DuBois original periodical and brought it forward for a new generation to experience. I loved the stories told by both the contributors and editors. And the artwork was amazing! I wish they would host an exhibit on the art and photographs showcased in the book. I'm excited to share this with my own children and I hope Black families, especially, get a chance to view and read it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure. This is a modern version of a magazine that was run and edited by W.E.B. DuBois. It has comics, poems, biographies, beautiful art, short plays, stories all things for a person to take time looking at and reading. This would be a beautiful book to give a family as a gift.

[Jamie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly beautiful. This belongs in every public and school library.
I especially loved the photos.
5 Stars.

[Steven Ridgely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book but should show all races.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book that is exactly like the subtitle says: A love letter to Black families. I smiled reading this book. It is full of hope and joy.

[Dre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like about 75% of what was in this book and need to read more on Martin Luther King because they brought up things I didn't know and want to know.

[Madalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous. The artists and writers chosen are a wide variety, and it was a pleasure to read.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish. Beautiful short stories, poems and even plays just perfect for self love and Black inspiration. It was the perfect book to follow it's predecessor.

[Robin Caddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of art, poetry,marticles and history.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting idea, especially to see some of the older writings. A lot of the newer writings lack flow, but there is some gripping artwork.

[Soc Page]

16 - A book less than 260 pages