So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story

The celebrated author of Ezra Jack Keats Award winner Nell Plants a Tree and a Caldecott Honor artist come together for a poetic picture book introduction to Juneteenth and its origin.

Oh, how you would dance! How you would sing! How you would celebrate!

With lyrical text from Anne Wynter and radiant artwork from Jerome Pumphrey, this poetic picture book explains the history behind Juneteenth celebrations. So Many Years simultaneously acknowledges the history of slavery in the US as well as the astonishing Black resilience that has led to an enduring legacy of Black joy.

(Nell Plants a Tree) "Gorgeous images and text chronicle joyful childhood experiences—a future classic." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

(Nell Plants a Tree) ""Toggling between two timelines, Wynter tells a warm, affectionate story behind a cherished pecan tree and an intergenerational family. Pen and ink, gouache, and collage artwork by Miyares exudes the golden light of autumn, and prose by Wynter shimmers with evocative sense words—it’s almost possible to smell the pie." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

(Everybody in the Red Brick Building) "The onomatopoeia in this cumulative tale is appropriate for the actions described and is so much fun to read . . . Certain to become a favorite bedtime book." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

(Everybody in the Red Brick Building) "Sounds rise to a crescendo and then descend into quiet in this rollicking roller coaster of a book. . . . A sound-evocative tour de force."

(So Many Years) ★ "All will come away enlightened and moved by this deeply felt celebration of the resilience of the human spirit." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

(So Many Years) “So Many Years provides a thought provoking and easy-to-understand message that teaches even the youngest readers why Juneteenth is a cause for celebration.” - Booklist

(So Many Years) ★ “Thoughtful yet concise text and stunning illustrations.” - BookPage

(So Many Years)  ★ “It’s a moving tribute that converses with history’s resonances while moving forward in time.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

(So Many Years) "“Vibrant illustrations and spare, lyrical text. An informative author’s note provides more historical detail.” - Horn Book Magazine