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Thursday, June 6, 2024

Bros, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Reggie Brown. Candlewick Books, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 


"We pretend. 

We defend. 

Bros dare. 

We care,"

Warm evenings are here, and much longer days. Perfect for kids to get outside and play to their heart's content. I love listening to the joy and seeing the action as they find things to do together in the park across the street. 

I was delighted to see this new book from Ms. Weatherford about five young Black boys who find each other in the park and manage to spend their entire day together. The first comes with his dog, and heads straight into the summer morning light that shimmers throughout the park, where another is already playing on a geodesic climbing structure. 

As we get closer, we can see that a third is present with an empty wagon. While the dog chases a squirrel, two boys climb on board and the third hangs on for dear life at the back of the wagon as it races downhill and dumps them in the grass. Next up is painting. using cardboard, and an idea for redesigning the wagon as a time machine, equipped with a flux drive. 

Decked out in a superhero cape, one tumbles down the hill, and ends up in tears. The others console, and then welcome two more players. A camera captures their smiles and their styles!  Then each, carrying a defensive weapon, harbors grandiose ideas of combat before settling to pet a snail, and do some needed gardening. Next stop is the library and some quality reading time.   

"We go, 

We play. 

We pray. 

Showtime! 
Bros shine.

After a quick pick-up basketball game, their day comes to an end. They leave knowing they'll be back.  The sparse, rhyming text is perfect for telling about an engaging day without need of an extra word. The digital artwork is infused with color and energy, showing a happy group who find joy and excitement in being together all day long. 
                                                                               

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