We Could Fly

Praise

The spare, beautiful verses of this powerful song are well suited to a picture book and well laid out among stirring spreads of artwork in Uchendu’s distinctive textured style. . . Drawing inspiration from Virginia Lee Hamilton and Leo and Diane Dillon’s classic folktale collection The People Could Fly, this work wraps readers in a warm embrace. Perfect for bedtime, naptime, storytime, or sharing in schools, this magical picture book will have readers entranced. Sublime.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A Black mother and daughter draw on the ­resilience of their ancestors to process their own ­generational trauma of slavery in this exceptional story. . . Uchendu’s ethereal depictions of sprawling landscapes are layered with sweeping trails of spirits’ ascents, making the incorporeal visible. . . A ­magically sublime testimonial to ­spirituality and ancestral connection, perfect for home or classroom reading with young ones.
—School Library Journal

Folk musician Giddens offers up an evocative, reverent celebration of family and cultural connection through storytelling. . . The gorgeous digital illustrations are dominated by dusky hues of soft violets and rose golds, with the mother and child subtly backlit by a halo-like effect. Sweeping spreads that show the girl’s ancestors taking flight convey a sense of majesty, while close-ups on the girl’s excited face and the mother and daughter’s joining hands are intimate and inviting.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Giddens’s lyrical text is based on her song of the same name. . . The story reminds children of their connection to the past and their ability to transcend their present, and Uchendu’s digital illustrations add to the hopeful and loving feel of the text. . . . this is a great interpretation of a popular African American folktale.
—The Horn Book

Illustrator Briana Mukodiri Uchendu’s luminous art just won this transcendent mother-daughter story a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award. The picture book is a brilliant collaboration with Grammy Award and MacArthur Fellowship-winning folk musician Rhiannon Giddens, based on African folklore and drawing upon song lyrics by Giddens and Dirk Powell.
—The San Francisco Chronicle

Rhiannon Giddens’ lovely picture book will intrigue children who have dreamed about flying. ‘Lyrical’ is an excellent word for the text, which includes bits from her song ‘I Knew I Could Fly.’ The fact that she’s playing with Black folklore adds emotional and educational heft adults can appreciate, too. . . . [Giddens’] words are elevated by luminous purple, gold and pink illustrations by Houston artist Briana Mukodiri Uchendu.
—The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Any child who’s ever dreamed of flying (so, every child!) will enjoy this magical tale of a girl who does just that.
—We Are Teachers