You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!

Praise

PRAISE FOR YOU GOTTA MEET MR. PIERCE!

THREE STARRED REVIEWS
Booklist Best Book of the Year 2023
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Book of 2023 
Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best 2023
Cooperative Children’s Book Center 2024 Choice
2024 Young Readers Selection for the Great Reads from Great Places Initiative of the Library of Congress Center (Ohio)
2025 Choose to Read Ohio booklist

* “Thoughtful and enlightening.” —Booklist, starred review. 

* “This thoughtfully constructed book tells an appealing story, introduces a prolific
African American artist, and leaves readers to ponder the role of formal training in art.” —School Library Connection, starred review.

* “The conversational framing imbues this picture book biography with warmth and intimacy … There’s plenty of fodder here for themed storytimes on Black history and art.” –The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review.

“Likely to spark some real love in conversations surrounding the role of folk art, community outposts such as neighborhood barbershops, and more.” —School Library Journal

“An intimate encounter with an artist who should be better known.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The brief narrative works on several layers.” –Horn Book

“Action words (“DRAPE /SNAP,” “SAND/DUST”) evoke movement and expertise throughout, while Mack-Watkins’s use of woodcut textures brings the subject’s medium to the fore.” —Publishers Weekly