February is always a tricky month!
For starters, it’s February and has only 28 days.
Add to that the Valentiny Contest (which opens the day after tomorrow! get ready for fun!), and it means I don’t get a lot of Perfect Picture Book Fridays during Black History Month. So I wanted to be sure to have a chance to share at least one book in celebration. I’ve chosen one I think is absolutely beautiful, and I hope you’ll love it, too!
Title: Indigo Dreaming
Written By: Dinah Johnson
Illustrated By: Anna Cunha
Publisher: HarperCollins, fiction, October 4, 2022
Suitable For Ages: 4-8 years
Themes/Topics: Gullah/GeeChee culture, global connection, imagination/dreaming
text copyright Dinah Johnson 2022, illustration copyright Anna Cunha 2022, HarperCollins
Opening: “Every morning at day clean,
when the sun is just about to rise,
I pretend that Indigo Beach is mine!”
Brief Synopsis: A young girl on the coast of South Carolina, in an area where isolation has preserved culture, dreams of her distant relatives on the shores of Africa and beyond, yearning for a sense of connection.
text copyright Dinah Johnson 2022, illustration copyright Anna Cunha 2022, HarperCollins
Links To Resources: explanatory author’s note; learn to say “hello” in other languages youtube video; around the world preschool activities
text copyright Dinah Johnson 2022, illustration copyright Anna Cunha 2022, HarperCollins
Why I Like This Book: The text is lyrical near-rhyming verse with a soft, lulling rhythm that pairs perfectly with the textured pastel art to create the dreamy feel suggested by the title. Words and phrases give young readers a taste of Gullah/GeeChee culture. But one of the nicest things about the book is that I think every young reader can relate to the dreamy wondering of whether there are others like them somewhere out there in the world, and the longing to feel connected. And there is a softness and a sense of child-like freedom in the art that is irresistible.
text copyright Dinah Johnson 2022, illustration copyright Anna Cunha 2022, HarperCollins
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊 And don’t forget to join us bright and early Sunday morning as the Valentiny Contest gets under way!!! 💕❤️💕
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Susanna, I adore this cover and agree that the illustrations are dreamy. What a wonderful book. I hope my library has it (if not I’ll ask them to order it). Thanks.
I usually choose books based more on the text, but in this case I found the art SO appealing that it spoke to me more than the words, Maria! Not that the words aren’t wonderful – they are! I just really love the art! 😊
What a beautiful story to show the Gullah/GeeChee culture.
Beautiful text. Beautiful illustrations.
Creative way of sharing a culture that many do not know in a relatable way.
I completely agree, Phyllis! I love that there are books about so many different things to share with kids. That they are so beautiful is a bonus! 😊
What a perfect combination of words and illustrations! Hard to believe author and illustrator could be so in tune. I will look up the culture – new information! Thanks.
What a beautiful cover and illustrations. The text sounds lyrical. I know nothing about the Gullah/GeeChee culture. Will definitely check this out. It made me think of Belle Island off South Carolina and the culture. Look forward to reading this book.
What a gorgeous pairing of text and illustration! Thanks for shining the spotlight on this one, Susanna! The only other book I’ve read with this cultural setting is a middle grade called Root Magic. That one was terrific, too!
Oh, I love those illustrations! This book looks so beautiful.
What an amazing combination of words and illustrations! They are truly magical!
Can’t wait to add this to my collection! 🙂
SOOO glad I saw this post – this looks gorgeous 😍