How We Can Live
Principles of Black Lives Matter
Author Laleña Garcia Illustrated by Caryn Davidson ISBN 9781643794969 Binding Trade Cloth Publisher Lee & Low Books Publication Date October 15, 2022 Size 203 x 254 mmWhen the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013, the three founders——Alicia Garza,
Patrisse Khan—Cullors, and Opal Tometi——anchored its work in a list of guiding principles,
developed through conversation with other activists. These principles commit the
movement to empathy, loving engagement,\nand just action among its participants;
affirm the importance of Black women, families, elders, and LGBTQ folk; and celebrate
the strength and diversity of Black people in their communities and around the globe.
Now young people can explore these powerful principles in How We Can Live: Principles
of Black Lives Matter —— the first children's book to include material licensed from the
founders' organization, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. Created by
two teachers with more than thirty—five years of educational experience between them,
How We Can Live presents the guiding principles in down—to—earth, child—friendly
language, accompanied by vibrant portraits of real people——many of them present—day or
historical activists for Black lives. Questions on every spread guide encourage
discussion of and reflection on the principles, and supporting materials include an
introduction for children that explains the history of the movement and its relevance for
their lives, and an afterword for adults on how to approach the topic with children. An
essential resource for anyone discussing racial equity with young people, How We Can
Live offers a beautiful and inspiring lens on the most important social justice movement
of our time.
Laleña Garcia has taught in New York City early childhood education programs for more than twenty years. What We Believe grew out of her work with Black Lives Matter in Schools, a teachers' organization striving for racial equity in education, and she has presented at local and national conferences on teaching the principles of the BLM movement to children. A graduate of Yale University and the Bank Street College of Education, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. Please visit her website at rootedkids.org and follow her on Instagram at @blm_in_kindergarten.
Caryn Davidson studied Anthropology and Visual Art at Brown University and received her MA in arts education from NYU. Since the start of her career in education in 2004, she founded and developed the arts programs at three public schools in New York City and also led initiatives to promote culturally relevant pedagogy and socially just practices within those school communities. She now teaches art at the high school level in Brooklyn, NY, where she also lives. You can find her on the web at caryndavidson.com and on Instagram at @caryn_arts.
Key Selling Points
? The first hardcover children's book to center the guiding principles of Black Lives
Matter....
? ...and the first to include material licensed from the Black Lives Matter Global
Network Foundation —— the organization created by Alicia Garza, Patrice Cullors,
and Opal Tometi —— with a royalty paid to the Foundation.
? The text——written by a specialist in early childhood education——focuses on values
important to children, like justice, empathy, community, family, and inclusion.
? The vibrant full—color art features real—life activists from multiple liberation
movements, with brief biographies appended to each picture.
? Readers have the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings and explore
their own relationship to the principles through the questions included on each
spread.
? The focus on the core principles of the Black Lives Matter movement ensures
that the text will remain relevant for many years to come.
? The author and illustrator are both active classroom teachers making their
picture book debuts.
Keynote
The first children's book to feature material from the Black Lives Matter Global Network
Foundation, this beautiful picture book will engage hearts and minds as it as it
introduces children to the guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Comp Titles
978—088448—889—7 Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter $17.95
978—153622—238—8 When We Say Black Lives Matter $16.99
978—035857—341—8 Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter $21.99
978—059338—588—3 What Is Black Lives Matter? $4.99
"What We Believe is simply beautiful. Garcia and Davidson have created a visual, loving example of freedom and the possibilities of using art to create a new world. Each image is drawn with so much love, care, and commitment to the principles of Black Lives Matter, while Garcia's words are inviting, informative, and truth telling. Well done!"
—— Bettina Love, author of We Want To Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom
"This book is perfect for anyone who wants to take young children seriously as actors in the world. It is both informative and open to the creativity and imagination required to lead us forward."
—— Thomas Nikundiwe, director of the Education for Liberation Network
"What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book is one of the best tools available to engage students in the Black Lives Matter at School movement! The stunning artwork coupled with insightful connections between students' intersectional identities and the principles of the BLM Global Network make this book essential for every educator."
—— Jesse Hagopian, Ethnic Studies teacher and co—editor of Teaching for Black Lives
"What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book is a fabulous way for educators, parents, and children to live the principles of the movement. Often, it's hard to understand how the principles impact our everyday lives, but this thoughtful book outlines the many parts of Black Lives Matter and invites conversations and actions that children and their grownups can undertake together. After working through the text, which connects history to the present moment through an inclusive range of activists, organizers, and everyday folx, readers will understand the movement beyond the slogan and will be prepared to make changes wherever they are, in whatever way they can, for us all to get free."
—— Dr. Kim Parker, Shady Hill School and #DisruptTexts co—founder