Family Reunion
ISBN: 9781646862191
Written by Chad and Dad Richardson
Illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin
In this contemporary tale, a boy is reluctant to go to his family reunion, which he’s sure will be boring. Vivid, poetic language and rich illustrations bring readers along for the boy's emotional journey, as he ultimately finds himself enjoying the large and joyous gathering in spite of himself. This modern kid’s-eye view depiction of a Black American extended family celebrates the importance of kinship and intergenerational ties.
Key Points:
BASED ON THE AUTHORS’ & ILLUSTRATOR’S LIFE EXPERIENCES: Written by a Black American son-and-father writing team and illustrated by a Black American artist — and inspired by their own family reunions.
TIMELINESS: A contemporary depiction of a joyful Black American experience, with powerful language and evocative illustrations, to add to BLM and anti-racist picture book collections.
FAMILY: Celebrates the power of extended family and family traditions.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING: A child’s expectations are realigned when he learns that gathering with family can be more fun than staying home and playing video games.
AWARD-WINNING ILLUSTRATOR: Ashleigh Corrin is the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats award-winning illustrator of Layla’s Happiness, a Kirkus and SLJ star-reviewed children’s book.
POETRY: The story is told through punchy, accessible haiku that are seamlessly woven together.
FORMAT: Paperback
Product Dimensions: 8.50 x 10.75 inches
Page Count: 24 pages
Age Range: Ages 5-10 years
Key Points:
SOUTH AMERICAN AUTHOR: Set in ancient South America, this tale is written by Peruvian-born author Mariana Llanos.
CULTURAL AWARENESS: Offers an age-appropriate and engaging introduction to ancient Inka (sometimes spelled Inca) civilization and features an indigenous hero.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING: The main character stops along the way to help others, even though being late may cost him his job. In the end, his kindness is recognized and rewarded.
EDUCATIONAL ENDNOTES: Endnotes include a glossary of Quechua words and provide information about the Inka Empire, Chaskis (messengers) and the Inka Trail.
SPANISH: Also available in a Spanish language edition.
Award and Accolades
NYC Big Book Award Winner, African American Children’s Fiction, 2021
“Consider this one a great family connection book. Sweet but not cloying” – Betsy Bird, Librarian, @FuseEight
★ “This warm story highlights the tradition of African American family reunions, and Corrin’s loose, stylized illustrations capture both the love these extended family members share and their diversity in skin tone and hairstyle . . . A welcome book about the beauty of family, togetherness, and trying new things” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The joyful scenes, created digitally with a chalklike effect, are lively and welcoming and show the boy’s large family, comprised of a wonderful range of ages, body types, and shades of brown. An excellent choice for units on the family” – Booklist
”With an emphasis on the sanctity of family reunions in Black American families, Family Reunion is a sweet story about opening yourself up to new experiences—and finding unexpected delights” – Foreword Reviews
Written by - Chad and Dad Richardson
Chad and Dad Richardson are a son-and-father writing team. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Chad is a financial analyst who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Dad, otherwise known as Charles, is an Associate Professor of Management and Marketing at Sinclair Community College and lives in Liberty Township, Ohio. Family Reunion is their debut picture book.
Blog Post
https://www.barefootbooks.com/blog/post/2021-06-our-inspiration-for-family-reunion
Illustrated by - Ashleigh Corrin
Ashleigh Corrin is the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats award-winning illustrator of Layla’s Happiness, a Kirkus and SLJ star reviewed children’s book. Her first published work was with Enchanted Lion Books in A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader. Ashleigh lives in Virginia with her family.