A stunning exploration of the history of Black Americans by award-winning picture book team Traci N. Todd and Vashti Harrison.The world is forever changed because you are here.At once honest and empowering,
That You Are Here Is No Small Thing is a story about resilience. In these stunning pages, young descendants of enslaved Africans are guided through the history that led them to exist and thrive today. Through their eyes, we see how Black Americans have relied on one another to fight against oppression and the ways in which the strength of their ancestors is always with them.
Sibert Honor winner Traci N. Todd and Caldecott Medalist Vashti Harrison have created an unforgettable exploration of culture and history that records the important survival story Black children carry and celebrates their hope for a radiant future.
On sale: September 1, 2026
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780593353028
Reading level: Lexile: 610L | Fountas/Pinnell: O
Traci N. Todd is a Sibert Honor–winning writer and book editor whose work focuses on Black culture and social justice. Her books
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone, illustrated by Christian Robinson, and
Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, illustrated by Shannon Wright, both won the Coretta Scott King Honor Award.
Please visit her at TraciTodd.com.
Vashti Harrison won the Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Honor Award and was a National Book Award Finalist for
Big, which she authored and illustrated. She is also a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Literary Work for Children and has created many
New York Times bestselling books. She lives in New York City.
Please visit her at at VashtiHarrison.com or follow her on Instagram @VashtiHarrison.
Praise for That You Are Here Is No Small Thing:★ “A poetic telling of what it took for three Black children to exist in this place and time, from two kid lit powerhouses. . . A sumptuous work that urges readers to recall the past in order to truly appreciate the here and now.”—
Kirkus Reviews, starred review★ “Framing today’s children as the realization of their ancestors’ dreams, this is a reverent reflection on ancestry, cultural memory, and hope.”—
Publisher’s Weekly, starred review★ “Todd’s lyrical text, a celebration of African American beauty, resilience, and culture, reminds Black children that they are a powerful presence in the universe. . . This moving tribute recognizes both the struggles and the achievements of Black people.”—
The Horn Book, starred review★ “A must-purchase for picture book collections. This thoughtful and beautifully illustrated title offers young readers an affirming exploration of history, identity, and connection.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
★ “The lush, double-page spreads of this beautiful picture book make this piece of Black American history accessible for young kids, reminding them that though there was struggle to get to this current moment, they are a gift and part of a proud lineage of people.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review“A beautiful and raw homage to the African American experience, this book is an ode to how the past paves the way for future generations…Harrison’s soft, ethereal artwork beautifully captures this connection between past and present, illustrating how these three young girls exist because of the strength and perseverance of their ancestors.”—
Booklist Reviews
