About this book

Lyrical, affirmational, and bursting with love, We Are Here is a poignant story about Black and brown heritage and community. Full of assurance, tenderness, and triumph, this much-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling picture book All Because You Matter offers an equally inspirational and arresting ode to all of the Black women and men throughout history who have made momentous contributions from the beginning of time.

Tami Charles shares the beauty and excellence in the history of the Black community, assuring Black and brown children of the extraordinary legacy from which they come. Charles's powerful and empowering text is accompanied with illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner or honoree. We Are Here celebrates readers with pride, joy, and love, reminding them of their roots, inviting readers to imagine a future that shines ever bright, and strengthening them for their triumphant days to come!

Reviews

Praise for We Are Here:

An Amazon's Best Book of 2023

A School Library Journal's Best Book of 2023

* "This awe-inspiring and phenomenal work of art belongs on all shelves." -- School Library Journal, starred review

* "A triumphant, encouraging tone permeates the messages to young people of color... asserting recognition and illuminating possibilities for their future." -- Horn Book, starred review

* "A powerful narrative about Black yesterdays that have built the foundation for all our tomorrows." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Collaborators Charles and Collier meld pithy, free-verse lines and saturated illustrations to form an empowering treatise that celebrates the Black diaspora across time and space.​​​​​​" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"In storytelling dotted with words in Spanish and other languages, laid against Collier’s lush, gem-toned imagery, the book weaves a unifying and empowering narrative of Black people connected across bodies of water, bonded by a common identity..." -- Nikkole Hannah-Jones, New York Times Book Review

"A stunning ode to legacies built from the past and those yet to come." -- Jacqueline Woodson, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2018–2019)

Praise for All Because You Matter:

An Instant New York Times Bestseller

The #1 Amazon Best Children's Book of 2020

A Best Picture Book of 2020, Chicago Public Library

Barnes & Noble Best Picture Book of 2020

Best Books of 2020 by School Library Journal

Best Books of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews

Best Children's & Teen Books of 2020 by Shelf Awareness

100 Best Books for Kids by NYPL

Best Book of 2020 by NPR

TODAY Favorite Children’s Book of 2020

An ALA Notable Children’s Book 2021

B&N Children's Book Prize of the Year Nomination

Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text

* "A gem for every household." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "A richly illustrated affirmation for Black children -- especially boys... Stunning. Powerful. Timely. Illustrated inspiration at its best." -- Horn Book, starred review

* " Universal declarations are often illustrated with images of many children; this book's focus on a single child brings his experience and life-and the ways they matter-right up close." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"All Because You Matter is a powerful, poetic manifesto that is required reading for every family in America." -- BookPage

"A powerful tale in a broken world, this will give children hope and parents comfort... a very timely story and a wonderful addition to school and public libraries." -- School Library Journal

"A title sure to be frequented by not only Black children but any child looking for a kind word and confidence boost." -- Booklist

Praise for Muted:

* "Heart-racing... [a] taut and gritty read." -- Booklist, starred review

* "Charles’s heartbreaking novel in verse shows the harsh realities of the music industry." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Catapults [readers] toward a breathless, satisfying conclusion." -- The Horn Book

Praise for Like Vanessa, by Tami Charles:

* "Readers of all ages and backgrounds will cheer Vanessa on and see themselves in her story. This debut is a treasure: a gift to every middle school girl who ever felt unpretty, unloved, and trapped by her circumstances." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Superb." -- Booklist, starred review

* "Like Vanessa is an emotionally potent, engaging young adult story with a heroine whom it is impossible not to root for. The life lessons that Nessy learns are relevant and worthwhile for everyone." -- Foreword Reviews, starred review

"Charles's debut novel dexterously interlaces pathos and humor and introduces a refreshing new voice." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier:

2016 Caldecott Honor Book

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner

* "This well-told and exquisitely illustrated story of a musician with a steep career trajectory will inspire young readers to pursue their passions, despite the challenges." -- Kirkus Reviews starred review

Praise for Knock Knock, illustrated by Bryan Collier:

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner

Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year

ALSC Notable Children's Book

Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book Honor

Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Books of the Year

"Bryan Collier's richly textured illustrations and the lyricism of Beaty's text -- with its echoes of spoken-word poetry -- make this story of bereavement also a story of possibility and beauty." -- The New York Times Sunday Book Review

Praise for Martin's Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier:

Caldecott Honor Book

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

ALA Notable Children's Book

New York Times Notable Book of the Year

"A stunning, reverent tribute." -- School Library Journal

"A courageous testimony, an anthem for our children…simply brilliant." -- Kwame Alexander, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Door of No Return and An American Story

"This book is a gift, a powerful mirror for our children to see themselves in. Thank you, Tami Charles and Brian Collier." -- Tatyana Ali, actress, director and producer