I would like to introduce you to a new children’s book GREATNESS by New York Times and award-winning creators Regis and Kahran Bethencourt, I received a copy of the book in exchange for a review. Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage off the products you purchase,
When I got up this morning I new I wanted to find a book to read to celebrate @NationalReadAcrossAmericaDay. I picked up my copy of GREATNESS and was drawn in by all the girls on the front cover or the book. The one little girl in her aviation outfit reminded me of Ameila Earhart.
I wish you could see how pretty there are and I loved all the different hairstyles they have. I like how the story tells us the story of Nasi and Imani step into there Grandma’s studio where there minds are opened to photographs.
In the book we learn about famous figures from Bessie Colman to Basquiat and in the story we learn what makes them unique. I love how the Author introduces us to women I hadn’t heard of like Bessie Colman a women who wanted to fly panes but no, one would train her because she is black.
If Charlie and I were still #Homeschooling I would have had Charlie use GREATNESS in our reading class and also in our Homeschool History Class and you could do the same. I also like how there were words Charlie wasn’t sure of like indigenous which we could have used in our #spelling class.
Then we learned about Tuskegee Airmen who I’d never heard of. Have you? I love how they dug through old outfits and became different people. This could also be done in your Homeschool Drama Class or for free play.
I wish my grandparents ha attics with trunks of clothes for Charlie and I to dig through but they don’t. Next we learned about “All Black Wall Street” something else I didn’t know about. Did you? For PE you could play #tennis and study Althea Gibson another lady we learned about in the book.
There was a artist the Author introduced us to but I’m not going to tell you who because you need to pick up a copy of GREATNESS to find out. Next was Katherine Johnson and all I’m going to say about her is she has something in common with Charlie but you will need to read the book to find out what it is.
If you like the Olympics you need to check out Greatness to see what we learned. Then if your studying Presidents check out Barrack Obama. There is more people in the book we were introduced to but I’m not going to tell you who because you need to pick up a copy of the book to find out for yourself.
I like how in the back of the book the Author has done a small paragraph on all the people in the book. The pictures are amazing and will keep children entertained for hours on end. GREATNESS cis a children’s book for younger children but like me I believe teens and adults of all ages can and will learn through this amazing book.
About the book:
GREATNESS by New York Times and award-winning creators Regis and Kahran Bethencourt take a journey through Black history and find your greatness in this stunning book from the award-winning team behind the New York Times bestsellers Crowned and Glory.
When Nasir and Imani step into their Grandma’s studio, she opens their minds to the power of a photograph. From Bessie Smith to Basquiat to Beyoncé, Grandma introduces them to famous figures and what makes them special. And before long, Nasir and Imani find themselves in the images and stepping into greatness, too.
True to their iconic photographic style, this picture book from Kahran and Regis Bethencourt reimagines powerful moments from Black history through the eyes of the youngest readers. With child-friendly recreations of famous figures from the past and present, this book reminds children of their own potential for greatness.
GREATNESS by New York Times and award-winning creators Regis and Kahran Bethencourt (on sale: 1/14/25; ages 4-8, nonfiction photography): This extraordinary photographic picture book honors important Black figures from the past and present, such as Bessie Coleman, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barack Obama, Colin Kaepernick, Beyoncé, and many more.
The duo behind the viral Princess Project – which reimagined Disney princesses using Black models, now an official line of dolls sold through the Disney store – the Bethencourts are the perfect creators for this project that seeks to celebrate and uplift Black and brown children through portraiture.
They received the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award for their debut picture book The Me I Choose to Be, for which they provided the art – the first time photography has been honored for the award.
Meet the Author:
Kahran Bethencourt
Regis and Kahran Bethencourt are the talented husband and wife team behind CreativeSoul Photography, a company on a mission to empower kids of color through stunning photography that showcases their beauty, uniqueness, and creativity.
These world-renowned child photographers have achieved major success, including being named New York Times Best Sellers for their coffee table books, Glory and Crowned, and winning the prestigious Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for their children’s book, “The Me I Choose to Be.” Their AfroArt series, which highlights the beauty and versatility of afro hair, has gained global recognition and been shared by celebrities like Will Smith and Taraji P. Henson. Their one-of-a-kind photos have also been featured on shows like The Steve Harvey Show, CNN, BBC News, CBS and and more.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
