Title: Stay Woke
Author: Novia L. D
Illustrator: Cameron Hill
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-6698-1486-3
Pages: 28
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

We all hear the slang adjective “Woke” nowadays, meaning of course, to stay alert to racial prejudice and discrimination in society. The root of this word’s origin goes long back in history and has a powerful message to those of us living today.

In Stay Woke by author Novia L. D, the author brings a softly told narration to youngsters telling of the need to keep an open mind, observe, and react to any continuance of inhumane activity by anyone in our society. “You are young but you are not dumb,” is threaded throughout the messaging of this short yet powerful book. What makes this book so powerful are the images created by Cameron Hill, displaying a style which captivates the minds of readers, regardless of their ages or backgrounds.

As often said, a picture is worth 1,000 words, the illustrations throughout Stay Woke add a dimension to the text both complimenting the words and accentuating the message. It felt to me, as a reader, that I was walking through an exhibition of the artist’s work at a museum or art gallery, with the captions of the text written on cards next to the pictures, totaling immersing me, deeply imprinting the impact of this very creative collaboration. The love and kindness of behavior is emphasized, yet the concept of heritage and the warning never to forget the past are all rolled up into a dream-like fantasy of thoughts and images.

Stay Woke is a must-have book for families with young children who, no doubt, get conflicting feelings about the dichotomized society we live in. Observe and think – are the recommendations of the author and, once again, with the ethnically rooted details within the illustrations, the take-away of this book will draw attention and help explain many of the inconsistencies children are exposed to in their daily lives.

Since the walk through an art gallery showcasing these pictures is not possible, the best thing to do is pick up your own copy of this amazing work of this synergistically creative, poetic and prophetic piece of contemporary wisdom. Each time paging this book will bring new and deeper thoughts to the readers, and like individual raindrops accumulating, a flood of a world change will be made possible.