Black Culture Roundup: *When I Hear Spirituals, How Sweet the Sound, *Everywhere Beauty is Harlem

Three picture books about African American culture can open windows of understanding a wider world.

*When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by London Ladd. Holiday House, 2025, 34 pages.

Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 6-10                                                    

A young black girl reflects on the emotions that stir within her at the sound of traditional Spirituals. “Sometimes/ A big, full feeling/ Grows in my chest,” but “Sometimes/ A big lump/ Gets stuck in my throat.” Spirituals “speak to something tender and gentle and reverent inside of me.” They are rich with history and sorrow and hope and faith.  Each refrain of “When I hear spirituals . . .” is followed by lines from a spiritual that matches the shifting moods. Many of these we should be familiar with: “Balm in Gilead,” “Wade in the Water,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “Steal Away to Jesus.”

Illustrations reference both contemporary and historical African American experience, such as river baptisms, praise and worship in church, and private prayer, as well as the Great Migration, Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Harriet Tubman (“Go down, Moses”) and Martin Luther King. An extensive Author Note explains how these songs were preserved and presented through the years, as well as their personal relevance. Backmatter also includes a glossary, brief biographies of historical figures, and online resources. Augmenting the book with audio recordings of the songs will increase appreciation for them.

Bottom Line: A moving and personal reflection of the power of traditional spirituals.

How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Charly Palmer. Little, Brown, 2025, 40 pages.

Reading level: Picture book, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 8-12

From Africa to Armstrong, Harlem to Hip Hop, the influence of black Americans on music has been immense. Newbery winner Kwame Alexander explores these developments with poetic flourishes such as onomatopoeia, internal rhymes, and strong rhythm. Bold and colorful illustrations follow the history from “talking drums” to plantation work songs and spirituals, Congo Square, rousing gospel, mournful blues, be-bop, rock ‘n roll, and rap. Prominent musicians are featured in these pages, as well as their signature styles and songs. Much of it will be unknown to those outside of these traditions, but six pages of Musical Notes fill us in on terms and titles.

The styles are so wrapped up with the text that one would need to be at least a little familiar with them to read it aloud, and a young child’s interest will be limited. But kids who love music in all its forms will enjoy learning more about these forms and may be inspired to look up some of the artists on YouTube.

Bottom Line: Of limited appeal, but a treat for music lovers.

*Everywhere Beauty is Harlem: The Visions of Photographer Roy DeCarava by Gary Golio and E.B. Lewis. Calkins Creek, 2024, 38 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 4-10

It doesn’t have to be pretty to be true, but if it’s true it’s beautiful. Truth is beautiful.

–Roy DeCavara

As a young man, working various jobs to support himself, Roy was always looking. Though he eventually became famous, he grew up in Harlem and Harlem stayed with him all his life. He loved the people, the buildings, the lights and shadows and unexpected tableaus that met his eye while strolling the neighborhoods. The narrative of this picture book follows one summer evening of a young man walking home from work with a 35 mm camera. Sounds and smells surround him, and “Roy’s hungry—but not for food. His camera is hungry too.” A child chalk-drawing on the sidewalk: Snap! A mother taking a picture of her shiny-faced little boy: Snap! A young woman in a white dress, waiting: Snap! “He sees so much beauty. Everywhere. Does everyone have this power?”

Roy’s camera helped him frame the moments. With or without a 35mm, that’s a power we all have if we would just take the time to look and listen. The illustrations by E. B. Lewis are watercolor impressions of Roy’s photos, rendered in a minimalist but expressive style. More than a snapshot of a time and place, this book encourages reveling in the everyday and  finding beauty in the ordinary. Note: Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem is a 2025 Coretta Scott King illustrator honor book.

Bottom Line: Beautiful

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: Give Me Wings is an excellent account of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
• Review:  One Boy Watching is another picture book about paying attention.
• Review: Before Music: Where Instruments Came From celebrates human creativity and our delight in sound.

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