Multiple Caldecott Honoree Bryan Collier’s illustrations in this affirmative book expressing love and support are meaningful and powerful, imbued with hope and promise. One boy takes center stage, but the message, “the visual love note of welcome” as Collier eloquently states in the dedication, is for “all the children and their families on the planet here today, and to those who have yet to arrive.”
“…strength, power, and beauty lie within you”—All Because You Matter
Why this Book? Why will it matter to kids?
These are times of widespread stress, anger, uncertainty, distance, and change due to the pandemic, racial injustice, the political climate—and more immediate to our children—the changeable and challenging school learning models currently in place. We must structure nurturing learning environments to reflect care, support, empowerment, and love. As Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence states, “There is no toolkit to develop SEL. It really needs to be a systemic approach—the way leaders lead, teachers teach, students learn, and families parent.” The books we choose to share with children can acknowledge feelings, convey options and paths for positive action, nurture, and initiate conversations based on common language. Books can offer kids affirmation, and from this comes agency, possibilities, and choice. A book such as All Because You Matter gives kids space to be heard, and gives educators an opportunity to listen.
Levels and Layers of Learning
Grade level: Grades 4-6
Social-Emotional Learning Themes
Compassion, concern, connection, courage, creativity, dedication, diligence, effort, empathy, encouragement, empowerment, fairness, fortitude, friendship, generosity of spirit, gratitude, helpfulness, hope, humility, inspiration, integrity, justice, acceptance, kindness, loyalty, perseverance, persistence, perspective, resilience, resourcefulness, respect, self-assurance, self-awareness, self-reliance, social justice, tenacity, trustworthiness, understanding.
Content Area Connections
English Language Arts, Art, Home Sciences, Cultural Studies
Using This Book in the Classroom
Hit the Ground Running
Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents
All Because You Matter book trailer
All Because You Matter Educator Guide
Bryan Collier and Tami Charles talk briefly about All Because You Matter.
Tami Charles reflects on the impetus, purpose, and her wish for All Because You Matter; Bryan discusses how the text inspired the illustrations and offers insights into the symbolism in his stunning art in this book.
School Library Journal A Fuse 8 Production “Review of the Day” blog post on All Because You Matter
Write Away!
Ideas to prompt writing
The author uses similes in the text to describe and expand common actions. Close read the text to identify similes. Which are most appealing? Why? In a short writing piece, students can use similes to describe common classroom or daily activities. Share.
The author uses verbs to intensify actions or create images in the reader’s mind. Close read the text searching for verbs. Write a memory from your childhood using vivid verbs.
Engage in discussion of these phrases from the text: Have you ever “questioned your place in the universe”? What does this mean? Have you ever “questioned if you, and your work, and your effort matter”? Ask students to write a personal reflection following group discussion.
The author writes, “Strength, power, and beauty lie within you.” Write about your strength, power, and/or beauty.
Poetry Break
Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book
Poetry breaks fit perfectly into brief moments in the day—from opening or closing the day to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to transitioning from one subject to the next. Reading a poem typically takes less than a minute, yet it can introduce or reinforce a concept, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding, increase attention span, initiate reflection, or summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes the spirit.
- Amazing Faces selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
- Dictionary For A Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
- I Am Loved by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Ashley Bryan
- I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins
- Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts About Peace by Anna Grossnickle Hines
- Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines
- Winter Lights: A Season in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines
- Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study
Bryan Collier combines collage and petal shapes to create the stunning images in this book. In the illustrator’s note at the back of the book, he states, “To visually tell this story, I started with the shape of a single flower petal to build a blossoming effect in all backgrounds—like the night sky, interior wallpaper, and the child’s storybook. Faces appear on those petals, representing the voices of ancestors chanting: “You matter.” Create images from flowers, leaves, twigs, or other elements found in nature. Write an affirmation caption. Display.
It’s fall now! Find an array of ideas in craft books and across the internet for art projects using leaves. Here are a few kid-friendly autumn leaf crafts.
In the book, a child experiences giggles and whispers followed by: What kind of name is that? To further discussion, consider one or more of the following for a follow-up read-aloud.
- How Alma Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
- My Name is Yoon by Helen Recovits
- Your Name Is a Song written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Bryan’s art has been influenced in part by his grandmother’s quilt making. See the listing of poetry books above to find a few that center on quilts.
Books of Related Interest
- Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
- Brown: The Many Shades of Love by Nancy Johnson James, illustrated by Constance Moore
- Hand in Hand by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Sheryl Murray
- I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
- I Am the World by Charles R. Smith Jr.
- Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
- Love Is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
- Maud and Grand-Maud by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Kenard Pak
- Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera
- My People by Langston Hughes, photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr.
- Our Favorite Day by Joowon Oh
- Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney, photographs by Myles C. Pinkney
- Shades of People by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly, photographs by Shelley Rotner
- Speak Up by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
- The World Is Waiting for You by Barbara Kerley
Meet the Illustrator
Backstory: Q & A with Bryan Collier
Bryan Collier, the multi-award-winning illustrator of All Because You Matter, generously gave of his time to respond to a few questions about the creation of the art in this picture book. I am honored to host Bryan on the Children’s Book Corner blog because I have long been a fan of the impressive library of books he has illustrated. You can find a partial listing below. One of my favorites is Martin’s Big Words written by Doreen Rappaport. I have shared this multiple award-winning book with hundreds of educators and pre-service teachers in workshops I have conducted since its release. It is timeless, a stand-out among the many picture book biographies of Martin Luther King, Jr. The art stays with you; it seers, it soothes, and it conveys conviction, spirit, and emotion that is accessible to readers of all ages.
Judy Bradbury: Tell us about the illustrations in All Because You Matter.
Bryan Collier: The art style used for All Because You Matter is watercolor/collage. I am best known for this technique which is inspired from the quilting that my grandmother did when I was a child. I want readers to notice the petal shapes in the background that blossom into starry night skies, wallpaper, carpets, and ancestral faces and voices.
JB: Tell about one hurdle you experienced in the creation of All Because You Matter or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the making of this book.
BC: I often enlist family members and friends to pose as characters in my books. Author Tami Charles and her son Christopher were a perfect fit for All Because You Matter. We all met up at a local library for the photo shoot. The librarians there looked on strangely as I took pictures with my cell phone.
JB: At the heart of All Because You Matter is the affirmation to young readers or listeners that they are important and worthwhile. How did you decide what to focus on in the art to best convey that message with depth and significance?
BC: Visually, I tried to show the boy in a normal setting doing exactly what a kid might do as he or she is confronted with all kinds of growing pains and social issues. Then, I contrasted those images with the knowledge of ancestors and all the people who came before us that also made a place in this world through effort and prayers.
JB: What did you learn from creating All Because You Matter?
BC: I learned that reassuring our children of their value and importance is a conversation that cannot wait.
JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or about the creation of All Because You Matter?
BC: Readers will be surprised at how many petal shapes I used to make each piece of art for this book.
JB: What do you hope readers will take away from All Because You Matter?
BC: I hope readers of All Because You Matter will realize that they are the most valuable part of this equation.
JB: How do you see All Because You Matter connecting to curriculum?
BC: All Because You Matter is a great tool that can be used to address many topics, such as bullying, equality, self-worth, social justice, and fairness.
JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?
BC: What’s next?
Answer: Tami Charles and I have a new project coming! Stay tuned.
A Selection of Other Books illustrated by Bryan Collier
- By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music by Carole Boston Weatherford
- City Shapes by Diana Murray
- Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill (Caldecott Honor; Coretta Scott King Award)
- Knock, Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty (Coretta Scott King Award)
- Martin’s Big Words written by Doreen Rappaport (Caldecott Honor; Coretta Scott King Honor)
- Rosa by Nikki Giovanni (Caldecott Honor; Coretta Scott King Award)
- Thurgood by Jonah Winter
- Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews (Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award)
Bryan is the author and illustrator of:
- Uptown (Coretta Scott King Award and Ezra Jack Keats Book Award)
Book Giveaway
The winner of A Place at the Table written by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is J. Bickford. Congratulations! Please send along your address so a copy of the book can be mailed to you.
Over to You…
Join the conversation! Offer your thoughts on the featured question related to this month’s post. You are also welcome to post a general comment. Thanks for sharing!
What is your favorite book illustrated by Bryan Collier?
News & Updates
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record takes place on October 29th. Its mission is to bring together adults and children from around the world “to read the same book on the same day in order to raise awareness about the critical importance of early literacy and access to high-quality books.” The book chosen for 2020 is Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez. View the book trailer and register to join fellow readers. Read more about the event, including reflections from author Meg Medina on the selection of her book.
Middle grade and YA author Kelly Yang (Front Desk ; Three Keys) is generously making available free of charge to schools a 45-minute video about her experience as an author. Yang explains her writing process and offers kid-friendly tips to those interested in becoming writers. Among them: write often, read widely, and don’t worry about making mistakes. Learn more about “Dream Big.” Contact Kelly Yang at KellyYangauthor at gmail to take advantage of this bighearted offer.
Pam Allyn has written an insightful blog post, “Discovering a Social-Emotional Lifeline Through Reading” in which she discusses and provides research on the social-emotional benefits of reading and why sharing books and fostering conversations connected to them are so important, especially in current times.
CASEL offers a free webinar on Fridays “to address how SEL can be most helpful in response to today’s circumstances.” Past webinars also can be accessed and viewed.
View the Back-to-School Anti-Racist Panel to hear authors, booksellers, and industry experts engage in a discussion of ideas, children’s books, and websites that can help educators and parents initiate meaningful discussions about race and celebrate diversity throughout the school year.
Teach Graphix Week, promoting the integration of graphic novels into the curriculum, takes place October 19-23. Scholastic is offering free resources, activities, videos, and live events throughout the week.
Final Thought
“All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.”—Magic Johnson
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