The ABCs of Democracy Hakeem Jefferies

Hakim Jefferies' (Democrat—New York) new book is in the hands of one of my grand nephews. When I bought the book from a local independent bookseller, I only bought it to support the extraordinary, groundbreaking Speaker-in-waiting of the United House of Representatives. As I read the book, I heard myself speak.

My grand nephew is only almost three years old, but he is adding to this trilingual vocabulary:

Benevolence over Bigotry
Hopefulness over Hatred
Maturity over Mar-a-lago
Reason over Racism
Understating over Ugliness

Dear Black Boy Martellus Bennett

Its wealthy, lush brown colored cover should be a classroom poster, and the message must be told to every person, especially Black male children, as often as needed.

"Dear Black Boy, The Quest For Freedom Continues . . . Today is the day that we lace up our shoes to do more than run another sprint," writes Martellus Bennett, the former tight end professional footballer. He continues using straightforward, direct, short, and inspirational messages in sports lingo as a coach would to Black males on a sports field. However, the Super Bowl Champion is talking to you about getting and staying ahead in life.

Baking Up Love Alan Page and Kamie Page

This book is not as politically or socially conscious charged as the first two books, which I also love, but it still reshapes the expected model by presenting a loving household with a strong male figure, the grandfather, but no father. About one in four children -- were living in households where no father, biological or other, was present, according to a Census Bureau report in 2005. This book by former professional footballer and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and his teacher daughter Kamie Page  will make some children feel "normal."

The tale centers on a female child and a loving grandpa baking cupcakes with memories of grandma warming up the background. Even the differing skin tones and hair texture make this book worth having your mind eat.

Allah Allah Shirin Sharam

This straightforward and uncomplicated book introduces children to the simple things around them as creations of Allah. With wonderful, simple artwork, the only complication could come from adults. As an adult, when reading the book, I questioned why Christians are often afraid to use the words God and Allah interchangeably as Muslims usually do and Sharam does in this fantastic book.

While the book is excellent for kids, you may want to first ask the parents about their comfort level when referring to the Superior using diverse terms.

As God has designed in parents
how to take care of their chicks,
mother and father cardinal
search for food in the yard.

The Mischievous Mosquitoes of Banjul Momodou Ndow

We look forward to placing this book on the Baobab Youth Development Association-Phillis Wheatley Library's shelves in The Gambia. The readers will see their own lives and concerns on pages between two hard covers.

Non-Gambians will enjoy the story, too. Set in Gambia's capital city, the mosquitoes form a small army to infect the people. One outcome of The Banjul Mosquito Forces' success is that people get sick with malaria. As Gambia native Momodou Ndow tells the story, kids learn about mosquito breeding habits and malaria prevention in a kid-friendly way.

The Move: Slouching Towards Bakau Momodou Ndow

The struggles between man and pests continue in the second book but in the nearby town of Bakau, where the lead character, young Momodou, has moved to live with his uncle. The Banjul Mosquito Forces plot revenge against the boy for weakening their efforts in Banjul. Non-Gambians can also learn the intricacies of Gambia life, including children living outside their nuclear families and with other relatives.