In this contemporary tale, a boy is reluctant to go to his family reunion, which he’s sure will be boring. Vivid, poetic language and rich illustrations bring readers along for the boy's emotional journey, as he ultimately finds himself enjoying the large and joyous gathering in spite of himself. This modern kid’s-eye view depiction of a Black American extended family celebrates the importance of kinship and intergenerational ties.
BIO
Chad and Dad Richardson are a son-and-father writing team. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Chad is a financial analyst who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Dad, otherwise known as Charles, is an Associate Professor of Management and Marketing at Sinclair Community College and lives in Liberty Township, Ohio. Family Reunion is their debut picture book.
Ashleigh Corrin is the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats award-winning illustrator of Layla’s Happiness, a Kirkus and SLJ star reviewed children’s book. Her first published work was with Enchanted Lion Books in A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader. Ashleigh lives in Virginia with her family.
REVIEWS
This warm story highlights the tradition of African American family reunions, and Corrin’s loose, stylized illustrations capture both the love these extended family members share and their diversity in skin tone and hairstyle . . . A welcome book about the beauty of family, togetherness, and trying new things” -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The joyful scenes, created digitally with a chalklike effect, are lively and welcoming and show the boy’s large family, comprised of a wonderful range of ages, body types, and shades of brown. An excellent choice for units on the family” -- Booklist
”With an emphasis on the sanctity of family reunions in Black American families, Family Reunion is a sweet story about opening yourself up to new experiences—and finding unexpected delights“ -- Foreword Reviews
“Consider this one a great family connection book. Sweet but not cloying” -- Betsy Bird, Librarian, @FuseEight
[H] Barefoot Books / June 01, 2021
0.39" H x 10.79" L x 8.58" W (0.79 lbs) 24 pages
[P] Barefoot Books / June 01, 2021
0.24" H x 10.55" L x 8.35" W (0.3 lbs) 24 pages