Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too!
Picture books aren’t just for children. Picture books are for grown-ups too! Listen in as we speak with picture book authors, illustrators, and enthusiasts about how these stories contribute to human thriving. Discover how picture books can affirm our experiences, introduce us to new perspectives, serve as conversation starters, foster meaningful reflection, and give us words to make sense of the world! Ultimately, you’re never too old for a great picture book AND these tiny tales can lead to big connection! Join us for the journey, and discover something that might contribute to YOUR thriving.
Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too!
S1E7 | Alicia D. Williams and 'The Talk'
“To see the beauty, though, to see the beauty of a Black family in a picture book and how they all care for him in such a gentle way.” –Alicia D. Williams
Listen in as Alicia D. shares the origins of this story (it CHOSE her!), the joy she sees in this book, and the way this story can connect adult readers.
Today’s Picture Book: The Talk by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Alicia D likes chunky guacamole, shiny things, dancing, good stories, and great jokes.
She is the proud mother of a brilliant college student. Her passion for storytelling stems from conducting school residencies as a Master Teaching Artist of arts-integration.
ALICIA D is the author of Genesis Begins Again, which received the Newbery and Kirkus Prize honors, was a William C. Morris prize finalist, and won the Coretta Scott King--John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Alicia D is also the author of several picture book biographies: Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston AND Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress.
Book Description: “As a little boy grows into a bigger boy, ready to take on the world, he first must have that very difficult conversation far too familiar to so many Black and Brown Americans in this gentle and ultimately hopeful picture book.” (from the publisher’s website)
Please consider supporting your local independent booksellers by purchasing The Talk. Find a store here: https://www.indiebound.org/
Other mentions in this episode:
“Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall
More about Dr. Rudine Sims Bishops and windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors: https://library.ncte.org/journals/LA/issues/v85-2/6175
Dat Dere by Oscar Brown Jr.
The educator’s guide for The Talk will be available here soon.
Questions for further engagement based on the discussion:
1. What are the activities that bring you joy? What realities might try to block that fully realized joy?
2. In this discussion about giving the talk and having heard the talk, where do you locate yourself? Where might others around you locate themselves?
Find Alicia D:
Website: https://www.aliciadwilliams.com/
Instagram: @authoraliciadwilliams
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Ripening Time, Patrice's 2nd picture book, releases April 22, 2025. Order your copy from your local bookstore or one of Patrice's local bookstores!
Also, please visit the podcast’s bookshop.org page for a complete list of books discussed!
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