About the Book

When happy things come to you, hold them close and never let go.

From celebrated author of Your Name Is a Song Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, fine artist Patrick Dougher, and photographer Jamel Shabazz, Hold Them Close is a picture book celebration of Black past, present, and future—a joyful love letter to Black children.

As affirming as it is touching and warm, Hold Them Close encourages young children to hold close their joy, the words of their ancestors and elders, as well as their power to change the world. A perfect book for shared story time, this book will inspire young people to march forth with pride, glow, and happiness. 

Product Details

• ISBN: 9780063036178
• ISBN 10: 0063036177
• Imprint: HarperCollins
• On Sale: 10/04/2022
• Pages: 48
• List Price:23.99 CAD
• Ages: 4 to 8
• BISAC1 : JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / African American
• BISAC2 : JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
• BISAC3 : JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
• BISAC4 : JUVENILE NONFICTION / Family / Multigenerational

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Biography

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow is an educator and writer who centers Black and Muslim children in her work. She is the author of Mommy’s Khimar, Your Name Is a Song, and Abdul’s Story and is a contributor to the Once Upon an Eid anthology. She teaches writing to youth in Philadelphia, where she lives with her family.

Other Works by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

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  Hold Them Close

  By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Patrick Dougher

Biography

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Patrick Dougher is a self-taught artist, musician, poet, writer, and spiritual activist. He has worked as a teaching artist in New York City public schools, as an art therapist working with HIV-positive children, and as the director of a community arts organization. Patrick uses the arts to empower and support the socioeconomic growth and health of disenfranchised youths of the city. Through his art, Patrick seeks to inspire and celebrate the noble beauty and divine nature of people of African descent.

Other Works by Patrick Dougher

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  Hold Them Close

  By Patrick Dougher