SO MANY YEARS

Wynter and Pumphrey tell the story of Juneteenth.

What would you wear, how would you eat, how would you sing, dance, and celebrate, after so many years of being forced to wear rags, to eat scraps, and to hide your messages in song? Directly addressing audiences, Wynter’s spare yet powerfully immersive words invite readers to imagine both the horrors of enslavement and the joy of emancipation, while the backmatter lays out the facts about the holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. Pumphrey’s acrylic illustrations weave back and forth in time, juxtaposing stark images of silhouetted people in chains and picking cotton with uplifting scenes of the newly liberated dancing and even taking flight, along with depictions of modern-day Juneteenth parades and concerts. Author and illustrator walk a fine line, acknowledging the harsh realities of slavery while never overwhelming readers with gruesome details. Pumphrey nimbly incorporates lyrics from spirituals into his artwork. Beginning and ending on notes of hope—with scenes of a formerly enslaved family enjoying their freedom at sunrise and sunset—his visuals pulse with energy and life. Children will be filled with wonder; adults will be impressed by the sheer talent on display. All will come away enlightened and moved by this loving tribute.

A deeply felt celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.