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I Got You
A touching and joyful celebration of siblinghood, by New York Times bestselling author Derrick Barnes
Rasheed has the best big brother in the world! Anthony has been his hero from day one, making him feel safe during storms and included in all kinds of fun activities. Thanks to Anthony, Rasheed knows all about worms, mud pies, puddles, and how to fly on a swing. And now that Rasheed is getting a little older, Anthony is teaching him how to do big-boy things, like button his own shirt, and ride a bike. And most importantly, that there will be times when Anthony needs his own space and time with his buddies. At first Rasheed feels crushed not to be included full-time with his brother, but fortunately, Anthony reassures him that even when they're not together he still loves Rasheed and nothing will ever change that. And when Momma and Daddy share the big news that soon both of them will be big brothers, Rasheed knows--thanks to Anthony--just what kind of big brother he wants to be.
Rasheed has the best big brother in the world! Anthony has been his hero from day one, making him feel safe during storms and included in all kinds of fun activities. Thanks to Anthony, Rasheed knows all about worms, mud pies, puddles, and how to fly on a swing. And now that Rasheed is getting a little older, Anthony is teaching him how to do big-boy things, like button his own shirt, and ride a bike. And most importantly, that there will be times when Anthony needs his own space and time with his buddies. At first Rasheed feels crushed not to be included full-time with his brother, but fortunately, Anthony reassures him that even when they're not together he still loves Rasheed and nothing will ever change that. And when Momma and Daddy share the big news that soon both of them will be big brothers, Rasheed knows--thanks to Anthony--just what kind of big brother he wants to be.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
41 people want to read
About the author
Derrick Barnes
32 books253 followersWhere I come from, no one dreams of becoming an author.
I didn’t know any famous African American male authors. I didn’t actually meet one until I attended college. I wanted to be a football player, the next Sean Combs, or a rapper; anything that would instantly provide me with the riches I would need to “move my mama off of the block”. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother, the lovely Miss Catherine Barnes, along with my big brother, Anthony, in Kansas City, MO.
My first attempt at writing a real story was in the fifth grade. I think it was about a group of stray dogs trekking across the country to find a magic bone or something. I can’t remember. But I do remember what it felt like when I finished and read it. It felt powerful to create characters, places, and stories that began and ended the way I wanted them to. After that I wrote songs, poems, plays, and short stories. I also read like crazy. I remember tying a shoestring around a flashlight, hanging it on the bar in my closet, and sitting in there reading encyclopedias. My brother thought I was the weirdest kid ever, but that was my way of traveling, of flying, and dreaming.
When I graduated from high school, I worked a couple of part time jobs and attended a local community college. I received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. I went on to Jackson State University, a historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, where I obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. It was there that I experienced life altering events and met people that changed me forever. I met my then college sweetheart and now beautiful wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes. I met life long friends (big up to my brothers JG, Killa Don, and Noir). I also became a campus newspaper advice columnist. All three of those occurrences and acquaintances changed my life vividly, but the column, entitled Brown Sugar, gave me the confidence to write with purpose. I also felt like, for the first time, that I had something to say and that people would listen. Who wouldn't listen to a guy with the pen name "Hershey Brown"?
Upon graduation, I moved back to Kansas City with no intentions of using my brand new, shiny Marketing degree in a drab, corporate environment. With the urging of my wife, I sent a writing portfolio to Hallmark Cards, and was hired as the first African-American man in the history of the company as a staff copywriter in 1999. I worked there for three years. I learned so much about crafting my words, about editing, and about constructive criticism. While at Hallmark, I met so many talented artists and was introduced to my now literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency. Within a month, we had a two-book deal signed with Scholastic. My wife and I also welcomed our first son into the world, Ezra.
My family and I moved to New Orleans, LA so that my wife could complete her medical residency in 2003. While there we had our second son, Solomon, and I landed a deal with Simon Pulse for my first novel, “The Making of Dr. Truelove”. We lived there for two and a half years until we were chased back to Kansas City by the most disastrous force of nature in US history, Hurricane Katrina.
We returned to KC safe and sound. My wife officially finished medical residency and became a full fledged doctor. We had our third son, Silas, and I landed a four-book deal with Scholastic for the ultra popular hit series, “Ruby and the Booker Boys”.
Some days, when I read to my sons or go to schools and read to kids, I can still see that little boy reading encyclopedias by flashlight. Hopefully, a child will meet me and say to themselves, “You know what, it’s possible. I can become an author! I’ve met, and have seen with my very own eyes, a living, breathing author. It’s definitely possible for me.”
It most certainly is.
I didn’t know any famous African American male authors. I didn’t actually meet one until I attended college. I wanted to be a football player, the next Sean Combs, or a rapper; anything that would instantly provide me with the riches I would need to “move my mama off of the block”. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother, the lovely Miss Catherine Barnes, along with my big brother, Anthony, in Kansas City, MO.
My first attempt at writing a real story was in the fifth grade. I think it was about a group of stray dogs trekking across the country to find a magic bone or something. I can’t remember. But I do remember what it felt like when I finished and read it. It felt powerful to create characters, places, and stories that began and ended the way I wanted them to. After that I wrote songs, poems, plays, and short stories. I also read like crazy. I remember tying a shoestring around a flashlight, hanging it on the bar in my closet, and sitting in there reading encyclopedias. My brother thought I was the weirdest kid ever, but that was my way of traveling, of flying, and dreaming.
When I graduated from high school, I worked a couple of part time jobs and attended a local community college. I received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. I went on to Jackson State University, a historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, where I obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. It was there that I experienced life altering events and met people that changed me forever. I met my then college sweetheart and now beautiful wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes. I met life long friends (big up to my brothers JG, Killa Don, and Noir). I also became a campus newspaper advice columnist. All three of those occurrences and acquaintances changed my life vividly, but the column, entitled Brown Sugar, gave me the confidence to write with purpose. I also felt like, for the first time, that I had something to say and that people would listen. Who wouldn't listen to a guy with the pen name "Hershey Brown"?
Upon graduation, I moved back to Kansas City with no intentions of using my brand new, shiny Marketing degree in a drab, corporate environment. With the urging of my wife, I sent a writing portfolio to Hallmark Cards, and was hired as the first African-American man in the history of the company as a staff copywriter in 1999. I worked there for three years. I learned so much about crafting my words, about editing, and about constructive criticism. While at Hallmark, I met so many talented artists and was introduced to my now literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency. Within a month, we had a two-book deal signed with Scholastic. My wife and I also welcomed our first son into the world, Ezra.
My family and I moved to New Orleans, LA so that my wife could complete her medical residency in 2003. While there we had our second son, Solomon, and I landed a deal with Simon Pulse for my first novel, “The Making of Dr. Truelove”. We lived there for two and a half years until we were chased back to Kansas City by the most disastrous force of nature in US history, Hurricane Katrina.
We returned to KC safe and sound. My wife officially finished medical residency and became a full fledged doctor. We had our third son, Silas, and I landed a four-book deal with Scholastic for the ultra popular hit series, “Ruby and the Booker Boys”.
Some days, when I read to my sons or go to schools and read to kids, I can still see that little boy reading encyclopedias by flashlight. Hopefully, a child will meet me and say to themselves, “You know what, it’s possible. I can become an author! I’ve met, and have seen with my very own eyes, a living, breathing author. It’s definitely possible for me.”
It most certainly is.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 1, 2025
This book Welcomed me with a Smile! 🤗
From the front cover to the last page, this Heartwarming story is a Beauty; involving Brotherhood.
I enjoyed this children's book so much because of the positive Bond between these brothers. Derrick Barnes has taken an exceptional path with writing books in completely different directions of the typical stereotypes.
Lastly, there just aren't enough books about African-American young boys "In this Light." Nonetheless, this author is Sincerely achieving distinction to do so.
It makes me SO Overjoyed! 🩵🌟
From the front cover to the last page, this Heartwarming story is a Beauty; involving Brotherhood.
I enjoyed this children's book so much because of the positive Bond between these brothers. Derrick Barnes has taken an exceptional path with writing books in completely different directions of the typical stereotypes.
Lastly, there just aren't enough books about African-American young boys "In this Light." Nonetheless, this author is Sincerely achieving distinction to do so.
It makes me SO Overjoyed! 🩵🌟
January 6, 2026
So so good. The illustrations are okay, but the text is where this book really shines. The dialogue between the brothers was so kind and caring while still being believable for children. The somewhat surprise ending makes me want to burst into tears. This really is a great book for children expecting a new sibling and basically a masterclass in how to be a good big sibling.
August 13, 2025
✨🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🅵🅻🅴🅲🆃🅸🅾🅽✨
𝙄 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪: 𝘼 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 by Derrick Barnes is a heartfelt story about the journey of siblinghood. Siblings share a unique and lasting bond, and Barnes captures how two brothers with a noticeable age gap learn to balance closeness and independence. The book includes touching scenes and artistry from illustrator Shamar Knight-Justice that follow Anthony and Rasheed from infancy through childhood and into their tween years. Their relationship is filled with genuine love, care, and the playful energy of boyhood, all of which unfold naturally over time.
The phrase “I got you” becomes a powerful anchor in their relationship. It is more than just words—it is a promise of trust, support, and loyalty. Barnes shows that this story is not just about brothers. It is a universal tale that could easily apply to sisters or any sibling pair. The message is clear: the sibling bond, when nurtured from a young age, is strong and enduring.
Books like this help children understand how to build meaningful relationships and practice kindness and empathy. I would absolutely recommend this book to parents raising siblings and to educators working with children who have siblings. It is a beautiful celebration of love, connection, and growing up together.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.25)
Thank you to @gadsdenlibrary for the local library copy and borrow from @penguinkids and @authorderrickdbarnes.
.
.
🗣️𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴?
🗣️𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁?
🏷 #IGotYou #ABrothersPromise #DerrickBarnes #ShamarKnightJustice #PenguinKids #NancyPaulsenBooks #PictureBooks #ChildrensLiterature #fiction #blackgirlsread #wellreadblackgirl #blackbookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviews #bookreviewer
𝙄 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪: 𝘼 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 by Derrick Barnes is a heartfelt story about the journey of siblinghood. Siblings share a unique and lasting bond, and Barnes captures how two brothers with a noticeable age gap learn to balance closeness and independence. The book includes touching scenes and artistry from illustrator Shamar Knight-Justice that follow Anthony and Rasheed from infancy through childhood and into their tween years. Their relationship is filled with genuine love, care, and the playful energy of boyhood, all of which unfold naturally over time.
The phrase “I got you” becomes a powerful anchor in their relationship. It is more than just words—it is a promise of trust, support, and loyalty. Barnes shows that this story is not just about brothers. It is a universal tale that could easily apply to sisters or any sibling pair. The message is clear: the sibling bond, when nurtured from a young age, is strong and enduring.
Books like this help children understand how to build meaningful relationships and practice kindness and empathy. I would absolutely recommend this book to parents raising siblings and to educators working with children who have siblings. It is a beautiful celebration of love, connection, and growing up together.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.25)
Thank you to @gadsdenlibrary for the local library copy and borrow from @penguinkids and @authorderrickdbarnes.
.
.
🗣️𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴?
🗣️𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁?
🏷 #IGotYou #ABrothersPromise #DerrickBarnes #ShamarKnightJustice #PenguinKids #NancyPaulsenBooks #PictureBooks #ChildrensLiterature #fiction #blackgirlsread #wellreadblackgirl #blackbookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviews #bookreviewer
July 16, 2025
This is a wonderful book about the journey of siblings. It starts with the older sibling helping take care of their younger sibling, to playing with them, to starting to need their own space as they mature as the older sibling. I love how this conflict at the end is handled as it is a delicate time that can determine how close siblings are when they are adults. Even though the siblings are brothers in this book, it easily can translate to girl siblings and girl/boy siblings. A wonderful book for an only child becoming a sibling or a younger sibling struggling with that transition to the pre-teen/teen independence.
August 15, 2025
Oh this book will just hit you in all the feels! A loving ode to siblings. Derrick Barnes writes with such a loving tone you can feel the appreciation for his own big brother. I appreciated how he also touched on how sometimes big bro is going to do his own thing and that's okay, it doesn't mean he's not there for his younger sibling.
My son and his cousin have a very brotherly relationship and I saw them mirrored in this perfectly. I can't wait to read this one to them!
My son and his cousin have a very brotherly relationship and I saw them mirrored in this perfectly. I can't wait to read this one to them!
September 9, 2025
Tender book about sibling relationships. Told from the younger brother's perspective. His older brother takes care of him and reassures him that he will always be there to support him - hence the title. Readers see them grow up together and change activities as they grow. I love how Barnes addresses the older brother needing space with his own friends and still being there for his little brother. The ending starts the cycle all over and offers encouragement for families.
November 3, 2025
In this heartwarming story, a big brother looks out for his baby bro, introduces him to the world’s wonders, shows him how to do things right, teaches him to to ride a bike, and let’s him hang with the gang until it’s little bro’s turn to be the big brother. Engaging illustrations portray the special bond between brothers in a family that has shown them what love is.
August 12, 2025
4 stars (I really liked it)
This was such a sweet book about brotherly love. I do think it reads a little more like a memoir or a letter to Barnes's brothers but I can see readers who have siblings connecting to the text as well. I do think I like some of Barnes's other books better.
This was such a sweet book about brotherly love. I do think it reads a little more like a memoir or a letter to Barnes's brothers but I can see readers who have siblings connecting to the text as well. I do think I like some of Barnes's other books better.
January 16, 2026
An excellent, engaging and affecting book about the bond between brothers. Fantastic and much needed. Nice specifics and deals with uncomfortable issues, like an older brother’s need to spend time with friends of his own age.
July 16, 2025
Did this bring tears to my eyes? Yes. It is so dang sweet. Love the illustrations, too.
July 19, 2025
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a beautiful story about the special and important relationship brothers share.
This is a beautiful story about the special and important relationship brothers share.
July 23, 2025
Quite possibly one of the sweetest books I've ever read. Made me cry.
August 14, 2025
Sweet and reassuring story of a big brother's bond with his little brother.
August 28, 2025
A warm fuzzy book about the relationship between two brothers. Would make a great one-on-one story for families.
August 28, 2025
This is a sweet and joyful book of the love between brothers.
October 7, 2025
3.5 stars
October 8, 2025
So sweet! So much love! What a wonderful tribute to brothers. Anthony is the first person Rasheed remembers seeing. And he has his back. So much to love.
November 24, 2025
This picture book is a heart warming account of a brother who looks out for his younger brother.
January 10, 2026
A lovely book about the bonds between brothers and what it means to be a big brother.
January 12, 2026
🫅🏾🫅🏾🫅🏾🫅🏾 OUTSTANDING!!!! Narration is 🥰🥰🥰🥰
February 12, 2026
Affectionate story about family. Will definitely have to save this one for "family-themed storytime."
Entry points:
Family, new baby, taking care of others
Entry points:
Family, new baby, taking care of others
February 16, 2026
I love this beautiful book about a big brother who takes excellent care of his younger brother, calming him through storms and finding times that he can join "the big dogs."
December 15, 2025
This picture book is a great family story about a young boy is becoming an older brother. He interacts with the new baby sibling and makes promises to him. The illustrations are colorful and engaging. It features an African-American family in a positive way that will comfort and inspire students. Highly recommended for Grades 2-5.
November 9, 2025
This is a story of family, of the bonds forged between siblings, and the boundless love that carries on from generation to generation. When Anthony becomes a big brother, he showers this new addition to the family with love, pearls of wisdom, and that precious commodity of TIME. It was a touching story that I think really gets to the heart of what having a brother or sister (or multiples of each!) really means.
*eARC received for review; opinions are my own
*eARC received for review; opinions are my own
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews