Lift Every Voice and Change: A Sound Book: A Celebration of Black Leaders and the Words that Inspire Generations

Ages 6 to 9, Grades 1 to 4

Lift Every Voice and Change is a boldly illustrated children’s book featuring powerful sound clips from twelve inspiring Black Americans, from the early 20th century to present day, including Booker T. Washington; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr; John Lewis; Stokely Carmichael; James Baldwin; Stacey Abrams; Toni Morrison; Katherine Johnson; Jay-Z; Gladys Mae West; Faith Ringgold; and Ayo Tometi.

Powerful sound clips from twelve Black leaders amplified by bold illustrations and background facts illuminate pivotal moments of Black history in America.With the touch of the button, hear impactful quotes spoken by inspiring Black Americans in primary source audio files. Aimed at children ages 7-12, a succinct profile of the speaker alongside an explanation of the significance of the quote and moment provide the context for each audio clip. A vibrant illustration of the speaker completes the picture.Through the included quotes, kids gain an age-appropriate understanding of the strides made in the ongoing journey for equality, from the early days of sound recording to modern day.Lift Every Voice and Change features the voices of:Booker T. WashingtonDr. Martin Luther King, JrJohn LewisStokely CarmichaelJames BaldwinStacey AbramsToni MorrisonKatherine JohnsonJay-ZGladys Mae WestFaith RinggoldAyo Tometi

The voices chosen represent an equal number of men and women, historical and modern figures, across a variety of disciplines. Some are household names and others may very well be introduced to children for the first time! Inspire the next generation of leading voices by inviting them to listen to and learn from the Black leaders of yesterday and today.

Manufacturer’s note: Please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in the exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. Sound clips range in length, but are an average of 12 seconds long.

About the Author

Charnaie Gordon is a Diversity and Inclusion Expert, author of A Kids Book About Diversity, blogger, podcast host, and digital creator. She also serves as a member of the National Advisory Board for Reading is Fundamental for their Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) initiative. More than anything else, she cares about connecting people with great books they'll love. In her world, books are an absolute necessity. Charnaie is passionate about instilling a love of reading, lifelong learning and curiosity in her kids. She hopes to inspire others to do the same with their children. Find her online at hereweeread.com and @hereweeread on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Aeron Cargill is a Jamaican American illustrator who has worked on several children's books and textbooks. His art style is a playful blend of whimsical realism with a touch of nostalgia. Aeron loves history and also works as a fine artist and art director. He lives and works in Florida. Visit him at aeroncargill.com.