Watch Me

December 1, 2020
Preschool-Grade 1 In this "American dream" story, a heartfelt tribute to his father, Richards directly calls upon readers to recognize the similarities they may have with young Joe, a boy from Sierra Leone who had big dreams and the will to fulfill them despite many obstacles. The spare prose includes the refrain, "Perhaps like you," keeping this message at the forefront as Joe leaves home and comes to the U.S. on his own. Homesick and facing discrimination, he kept studying. Richards urges readers to look around and notice how people treat one another and to pay attention to the nuances, which are captured in Cepeda's evocative illustrations of facial expressions and clever composition. Bold, fresh, and contemporary, the images carry the emotional weight of the deceptively simple narrative. Together, the words and art attain a perfect balance, resulting in a story that honors Dr. Joe and declares unequivocally that there is room for everyone's dreams--"there is enough for everyone."

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Starred review from January 11, 2021
In an inviting, conversational tone, Richards introduces Joe, who is from Sierra Leone and wants to study in America. Family and friends warn Joe that he will be derided for his dark skin and West African accent. But Joe isn’t fazed, and Richards employs the refrain “watch me” as Joe considers returning home in the face of white Americans’ contempt—but decides to tough it out, and succeeds. Employing a compelling narrative voice (“But Joe’s dreams didn’t hang out with ‘safe’ and ‘easy’ ”), Richards directs readers to recognize similarities they may share with Joe (who “had goals and dreams, like you”), and, regardless of readers’ citizenship, to open their eyes to immigrants (“They come by plane. Perhaps like you./ They come by boat. Maybe you did, too./ Watch them. See them”). The narrative’s affect deepens when the unnamed narrator reveals his relationship to Joe. Cepeda’s scumbled sunlit paintings, created with oil over acrylic on board, emphasize warmth and openness. A personal story with universal impact. Ages 3–5.

March 12, 2021

PreS-Gr 1-Doyin's retelling of her father's journey from his African home to America is such an important piece of work in the current world. The book shows children what it is like having lived in a foreign country and converting to a new life. So many people, even teachers, doubted her father Joe, but he still succeeded and became a doctor. When faced with challenges, he concluded by saying "Watch me." He did not give up, nor did he back down. Wordless pages in-between the text pages show images like the picnic and changing colors of a city park. The visuals will be helpful and inspiring to young children. Some of the text rhymes and makes it easy for children to follow along. VERDICT A recommended immigration story. The message for children is not to give up, even when everyone else has.-Amy Lukich, Tinley Park P.L., IL

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