Specs — Van G. Garrett

Praise for KICKS: A brilliantly written and illustrated ode to sneakers and sneakerheads, young and old. A gift to us all. — Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author Praise for KICKS:  Garrett and Brown have crafted a fresh and delightful anthem not just to shoes but also the magical way they make us feel. — Oge Mora, Caldecott Honor-winning author of Thank You, Omu! and Saturday Praise for KICKS: “An upbeat, affirming story that works especially well for #RepresentationMatters and Black Boy Joy collections. Complementary books include Floyd Cooper’s Jump! From the Life of Michael Jordan (2004) and Derrick Barnes’ Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (2017).” — BooklistPraise for KICKS: “An excellent read-aloud... This fun, lyrical free verse poem pays homage to the joy a pair of new shoes can bring, and its colorful illustrations work well to enhance the joy of the experience. A recommended purchase... especially where poetry is popular.” — School Library JournalPraise for JUNETEENTH: “An unfolding of the senses—sights, sounds, and scents of a parade—with the added enlightenment of the important history and significance of the celebration… A perfect read-aloud and an excellent platform for discussing African American history.” — School Library Journal (starred review)Praise for JUNETEENTH: Vibrant, highly textured watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations depict the sense of community the author conveys through the simple, poetic text. An ideal read-aloud… A stirring introduction to an important holiday. — Kirkus ReviewsPraise for JUNETEETH: “Garrett’s observational storytelling combines detailed ink and watercolor scenes from muralists Adams and Adenugba to create a stirring portrait… Cements the day not merely as one of jubilation, but as a celebration of community too.” — Publishers Weekly