Dear Yesteryear

by Kimberly Annece Henderson, Ciara LeRoy (Letterer)

From historical curator and researcher Kimberly Annece Henderson comes this moving letter connecting Black history with the present, with archival photographs and beautiful handlettering by Ciara LeRoy

In 2020, Kimberly Annece Henderson started emaline and 'nem, an Instagram-based archival image repository that features portraiture of everyday African Americans from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Dear Yesteryear is a beautiful and lyrical continuation of that project that addresses the past, honoring the ancestors who made the present possible and celebrating the ordinary goings on of Black Americans.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Historical, Photography, Childrens, African American

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Kaprisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was really good brought me back to my ancestors amazing read

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEAR YESTERYEAR is a lyrical and thought-provoking children's book that salutes to our ancestors and acknowledges that everyone has roots. The pictures were hand-picked by the author because they called out to her in some way and in the back of the book we learn when and where each photograph was taken. As I read this to my daughter, it felt like I was reading letters from wise ancestors.

In the back of the book, the author goes into more detail of what inspired her to write this book. The opening quote is "Trees have roots and we each come from a long line of people who play a role in our unique life story." This might resonate with children and encourage them to learn about their own family history.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this book for black history month or for family reading time. It would be a great book to include in classes that are exploring family trees as a project.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It needs more. The story itself picks up toward the middle of the children's book and the images speak for themselves from start to finish, but there is a key piece that's missing and it has to do with the back stories of the pictures themselves. The image shines on each page but the story is what most will crave (especially adults reading this) that's more than just the visibility. And of course, visibility matters, but the backmatter was my favorite part-- giving the titles or names of the portraits and where they are/were and the reason it begged to be written.

I wanted something different from the images to highlight Black individuals, friendships, families, and history with these historic artifacts.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thoughtfully crafted book assembles a collection of photographic portraits of African Americans, dating from the 1860's to the 1940's. While their identities are often unknown, their strength and dignity is clearly conveyed. The author gathered archival images from university libraries, state archives, the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. Decorative hand lettering displays Henderson’s lyrical text, posed in the form of a letter that gently weaves subjects together while musing about the lives these individuals may have led. Their gaze connects us to times long past. Their presence alludes to the many obstacles they must have encountered, making this book especially poignant as it honors the lives of those so often denied a voice. End matter includes an Author's Note, as well as thumbnails with attributions for each image.

[Rob McGrory · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs are wonderful and the imagination and wonder put into each page is reminiscent of a child's curiosity about the people in them. I was reminded of a scene from Dead Poets Society where Robin Williams' character is looking at the old pictures and wondering what dreams the young boys in the pictures had. Marveling in how they weren't so different from the students of the present day.
Ms. Henderson truly put together such a positive message that anyone, regardless of skin color, religion, ethnicity, or even politics can appreciate. Wishing the author nothing but continued success!!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unique combination of historical photographs and a wondering poem. What was the past like? How did the people in unidentified photographs feel or think or live? Could they imagine what the present is like and how we appreciate their lives that came before ours?

As someone who has looked at any number of historical and family photographs, it is very striking to see so many ordinary historical photographs featuring people of color. Both visually powerful, and when combined with the wondering poem, food for much thought.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. This book is made up of photographs of African Americans from the 1800-1900s. The photos are both beautiful and haunting all at the same time. I can only imagine what some of the people in the photos were going through. This book feels very much like something I would recommend to a teacher or parent, more so than a child. I think it could be used to discuss the lives of African Americans during the time period, or a great way to discuss family history.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful picture book of photographs of Black Americans from the beginning of the 19th century. The author did a wonderful job collecting them and presenting them in this book. As I looked through the photographs, I could imagine who they were and what their lives were like. It was like a bridge to the past. At the back of the book, the author presented a page of notes and then a write-up on each photograph used. I highly recommend for all those who have an interest in the past. All the photographs show so much of who these people are, how they lived, etc.

[Binxie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a glance through family photographs. The text carries the reader to think about the people in the pictures and what their circumstances may have been. This historical notes for each photograph are included in the back. This seems to be more of a resource book but may also prompt readers to look back in their own family photographs and tell their ancestors stories. In a school setting it may serve as an example of studying and presenting history.

[Mari]

The presentation of this book is 5 stars and beyond. I absolutely love it. It shows vintage super ornate scrapbooking, and the hand lettering is so beautiful. Unfortunately, I did not understand the text or the story it was trying to convey, although the end has historical information on the photographs. I so wish the wording felt more relevant to me or I understood it so I could share it with kids.

[Kari Schooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really want to give this one a 3.5. Breathtaking photographs. The words seem forced in some places, and written to go with specific photos instead of telling a story that flowed in poetic form. I loved the photographs and thinking about the people captured therein more than the words speaking to me. I’d rather have just had the photographs with a caption so that I could imagine for myself what was taking place or who the ancestors were. Overall, this could be a great conversation starter.

[Debrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are fascinating and I'm glad they've been brought together and shared where children can find them. I wish they had been touched up (more?) in a way that let you see the details better and larger. The text felt extraneous, with stretches for rhyme. The note from the author, in sepia on textured gray, was hard enough to read (physically) that I didn't. It was good to see the photo sources cited.

[Zan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2020, Kimberly Annece Henderson started emaline and 'nem, an Instagram-based archival image repository that features portraiture of everyday African Americans from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Dear Yesteryear is a beautiful and lyrical continuation of that project that addresses the past, honoring the ancestors who made the present possible and celebrating the ordinary goings on of Black Americans."--Publisher marketing.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so beautiful, proud, tender, and thought provoking. An honoring of Black history and excellence through a series of historic photos with accompanying text that muses about the lives of the different photographic subjects and connects them to modern Black life.

Themes: Black history month, past/present/future, photography
Age range: kindergarten-elementary

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful presentation of a letter to forefamily, with vintage photographs.
This research presentaion has a beautiful note from the author and a directory of
the photographs in the book.
On a 2nd or 3rd read, take time to read the verse alone, without focus on the images.

This is a book to share as a family.

[Chandler Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

How do we get young people interested in genealogy? Unfortunately, this book isn't the answer. I don't see kids in third grade racing to the shelves to look at an old photo album when there's Dog Man right there. This could easily be a coffee table book for adults because nothing about it says "young reader" to me.

[Stacy S. Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction photo, picture book packs a lot of information and a ton of room to think and wonder as you read. The archival photographs of black Americans from the turn of the 19th century are perfectly paired with the text.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simple narration through this book needs no pictures or illustrations, it packs a punch on its own. But the real photographs to accompany the narration are phenomenal! Love the back story from the author and the information about each photo. It’s one I know I’ll come back to over and over.

[Karen Lemmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberly Henderson writes a lyrical letter to Black Americans in archival photographs, telling and wondering about the past, connecting the past and hope for the future. The illustrations are powerful and Henderson's letter poses questions and stirs the imagination.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Wonderfully written. Amazing photos. I cried because it was so wonderful.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool glimpse into the past that reads like a journey through a family photo album.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poem illustrated with absolutely stunning historical photographs.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning, heartfelt and important book about Black history, Black ancestors, Black culture, and Black joy

[SerenaBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful ode to our ancestors complete with pictures of them from back in the day. I looked at each picture wondering what became of the people and if I'm related to any.

[Y.Poston]

a beautiful homage to Black people, stories
& culture in America

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

striking vintage photographs

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful love letter to African American ancestry. Beautiful photographs of personal journey!

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little gem of a book.

[Julie Grace Immink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect photographs, average text

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minimal text draws readers into this series of photos of Black Americans throughout history. Each page encourages readers to linger.


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