On this episode of Everything is Canon, Steve talks to Dapo Adeola, author/illustrator of Hey You! An Empowering Celebration Of Growing Up Black, which is described as, “This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today.”
Here’s the summary…
Remember to dream your own dreams
Love your beautiful skin
You always have a choiceThis book addresses – honestly, yet hopefully – the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It’s a message that is both urgent and timeless – and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child.
To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.
Featured Illustrators:
Dapo Adeola | Alyissa Johnson | Sharee Miller | Jade Orlando | Diane Ewen | Reggie Brown | Onyinye Iwu | Chanté Timothy | Gladys Jose | Bex Glendining | Joelle Avelino | Dunni Mustapha | Nicole Miles | Charlot Kristensen | Kingsley Nebechi | Camilla Sucre | Derick Brooks | Jobe Anderson | Selom Sunu
To order a copy of Hey You!, click HERE!
Click HERE to see a select list of Black-owned bookstores across Canada and the United States.
About the Author:Â
Dapo Adeola is an award-winning illustrator and designer who creates characters and images that challenge expectations around race and gender in a fun and upbeat way. He is the co-creator and illustrator of bestselling picture book Look Up! — winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the number 1 debut picture book of 2019. Dapo is also illustrator of the Versify fiction series The Last Last Day of Summer and other upcoming series with Macmillan and Bloomsbury. London born and bred but of Nigerian heritage, when he’s not busy cooking up new characters and adventures you can find Dapo running illustration and character design workshops with children or organizing events to help highlight the possibilities of a career in illustration to underrepresented members of the Black diaspora.
