Grammy-Nominated Pierce Freelon's creates ode to Black Boy Joy and father-son bonding in picture book “DADDY AND ME, SIDE BY SIDE”
May 2nd saw the release of Daddy & Me, Side by Side by Pierce Freelon from Hachette Book Group. Pierce Freelon is an accomplished musician, producer, and educator from Durham, North Carolina. The book is illustrated by Nadia Fisher who is a self-taught artist and illustrator striving to normalize inclusion in children's books and the illustration world
This book would be a great addition to any classroom library especially as we get closer to father’s day. The book starts off with a father and son bonding in the woods and the father sharing stories of his father (Pop Pop) crossing rivers, fishing, and enjoying their time outside. One thing that stands out the book is the physical affection between male characters with a father kissing his sons tears after he gets a scape. This is a good contrast to the hypermasculine type of messaging that many boys get from society that tells them it is not ok to cry and show physical affection. Furthermore, the story will give young readers an appreciation of nature as they take time to listen to the birds, rest under a magnolia tree, look under rocks, and eat the fish they caught for dinner. The text is concise and will keep the attention of young learners and the engaging illustrations will further draw them in.
The book is receiving praise from a variety of publications as well:
"Fisher's digital artwork cleverly frames the story right from the front-end papers, which offer a bird's-eye view of the treetops accentuating the vastness of the forest and the beauty of the outdoors... A swirling leaf design motif running throughout lends a magical quality to the forest, and a brief scene alludes to grief and loss, acknowledging the missing grandfather, and normalizing feeling sad about that loss. All family members are Black, and in text and in illustration, the child is not specifically gendered, allowing for an inclusive interpretation. VERDICT A recommended purchase for sharing one-on-one, with a generational continuity camping theme and as a gentle treatment for addressing loss of a grandparent.” — School Library Journal
“This potent, poetic story is complemented by Fisher’s art, which blends soft colors and is full of movement and captures the characters’ expressions. Fisher has a delicate touch, conveying the small pleasures of the great outdoors as well as the importance of giving oneself permission to sit with sadness.” — Kirkus Reviews
