Review of Change Sings by Amanda Gorman ✊🏿
Many of us first heard of Amanda Gorman on a cold and windy day when she read her poem, The Hill We Climb at President Joe Biden’s inauguration making her the youngest presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. Amanda warmed our hearts and encouraged us to love each other through her inspiring words. An activist who addresses racism, oppression, inequality, and environmental issues in her poetry she is the first National Youth Poet.
I found her book Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem (available on Amazon) while walking through Walmart. I was instantly drawn to the cover is of a young, black, girl with natural hair holding a large guitar. On each page, there is a poem about accepting others and being a positive change in the world. My favorite is an illustration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and references to him being a dreamer.
There are also images about pollution and cleaning up our environment, the importance of sharing, being kind to the elderly, and acceptance. Even though this is a children’s book I treasure it because it is so inspirational. The words from the book, “I don’t make a taller fence, But fight to build a better bridge.” spoke to my heart
Amanda, the author of several books of poetry, graduated cum laude from Harvard University and had been featured in publications such as Essence, O, The Oprah Winfrey Magazine, The New York Times, and Vogue. She has also been in the television shows, PBS Kids, CBS This Morning, and The Today Show among others. You can also learn more about her online at theamandagorman.com or follow her on social media @amandagorman.
The illustrator Loren Long, who has also appeared on New York Times bestseller lists, did a great job of bringing Amanda’s words to life.
Candace Waller is the author of, What Goes Around Comes Around the sequel Good Things Comes, and the upcoming book Lessons I Learned From Loving You, A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Healing.