Winsome Bingham

Granny takes her granddaughter on The Walk, collecting "treasured souls" (neighbors and friends) along the way. At each stop, the granddaughter asks a version of "Are we there yet?" until their group arrives at her school, which is a polling place. While the adults vote, they also answer her questions about why they vote and why it's important: "Voting is how grown folks speak up. It's how we stand up and say what's on our minds." Lewis' beautiful, full-bleed watercolor paintings portray show more each character with warmth and detail. There is no back matter, but this story invites questions and conversation about the importance of voting, and the historical oppression of certain groups' voices (Black people, women). show less

A child narrates this story of the change in their mother before and after multiple military deployments abroad. Momma used to be full of joy, dancing to Beyonce, cooking and baking, and digging her hands in the dirt of their garden. But now Momma is sad and quiet. Her daughter thinks, worries she's done something wrong, and remembers what made Momma happy before...and brings a big bucket of dirt in the house for them to plunge their hands into. "There will be days of sadness. And days of show more joy," Momma explains.

An author's note explains that not all veterans have access to mental health care, many experience depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and many have children who are affected. show less

To capture this sprawling, high-energy extended family gathering, Esperanza’s vibrant, kinetic oil-paint illustrations stretch edge to edge, sometimes tilted to reflect the changing perspectives of people in motion. A boy finally big enough to put on Grandpa’s chef jacket and help Granny make mac ’n’ cheese narrates with awe, his excitement palpable: “Cheeses stack high like a mountain.” Next Granny fills the sink with water, vinegar and lemon juice. “Greens got to be clean, show more baby,” she says, the music of Bingham’s conversational poetry rich and real. show less

This book shines the spotlight on military mothers with PTSD/Depression. Set in the little daughter's perspective, the first part of the book shows a loving and happy relationship between the girl and her mother. But, when her mom comes back to war with mental illness, the little girl is sad and confused. The book ends on a hopeful note with a "good day" being shared with the family.
In a military town like mine, books like this are really important- especially since mental health issues are show more at best taboo and at worst culturally impossible to acknowledge. This is a good way to get this topic out in the open. I love that Momma points out that her struggles are not her daughter's fault. I also appreciate the acknowledgment that progress takes time. show less