Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie

"Affirmations of black childhood abound, and whimsical wishes float like dandelion fluff.

Seven-year-old Layla, wearing long, thick braids and a bright yellow dress, talks about what makes her happiest: dark purple plums, the full moon, and night’s darkness, shedding positive light on what often gets portrayed negatively. Appropriately, Layla’s name means “night beauty.” Though clearly an urban dweller, Layla loves the outdoors. She climbs trees, hangs out near a stream to hear her show more dad’s stories of his South Carolina childhood, and tends vegetables and feeds chickens in their community garden. She even brings the outdoors inside with a makeshift tent, in which her mom reads poetry aloud to her. This book’s language clearly reveals the hand of a poet. Tallie’s metaphorical language evokes imagery that encourages young readers to dream and look both within and around them to find their own sources of happiness. Layla marvels that “the sea reaches into her pocket to give me a sand dollar” and chooses the full moon as her favorite thing because “it sits in the sky like a wish flower’s sister.” Equally as imaginative as the lyrical text, Corrin’s boldly colored, textured illustrations beautifully capture the buoyant spirit of Layla, a brown girl exuding confidence, comfortable in her own skin—indoors and out.

Well-illustrated poetry of the best kind that will leave sunshine in its wake. (Picture book. 3-8)" www.kirkusreviews.com, A Kirkus Starred Review show less

A young girl and her grandfather go for a walk through their city neighborhood in this lovely picture book from author Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrator Aaron Becker. Taking their time, they witness the world around them in all its light-infused glory, listening to a yellow bird's song, meeting a new neighbor, seeing a sunflower unfold, and drinking a cop of chai together. Eventually, as evening comes, the pair head home on the subway, bringing to a close an afternoon of going slow show more and truly appreciating the life around them...

Published last year (2025), We Go Slow is the second book I have read from Tallie and the twelfth from Becker. I've had it on request at the library for some months, waiting for their copy to arrive and be processed. I'm glad to have finally had the chance to page through these scenes, going slow and appreciating the simple but poetic text and the gorgeous visuals. Author and illustrator capture the beauty of the urban landscape, discovering its element of peace—sometimes difficult to find in such a busy place—and depicting the loving relationship between grandfather and granddaughter. Projects like this always remind me a bit of the poetry of William Carlos Williams, who was also known to find beauty in urban scenes that others might eschew, aesthetically speaking. Recommended to picture book audiences looking for stories featuring the grandparent-grandchild bond, urban landscapes, and/or finding beauty and peace by going slow. show less

Seven-year-old Layla shares a list of the things which make her happy in this colorful, upbeat picture book from author Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrator Ashleigh Corrin. From the full moon to climbing a tree, wearing purple to eating spaghetti without a fork, Layla enjoys the simple things, as well those—like her father sharing stories of his childhood in South Carolina or her mother reading her poetry—that connect her to the people around her. The book closes as she asks the show more reader what happiness is to them...

Layla's Happiness is the first book I have read from both of these creators, and is a title I requested from the library after becoming aware of Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie through the forthcoming release of another one of her picture books. That one is to be illustrated by Aaron Becker, whose work I do know, and greatly admire. In any case, I am glad I tracked it down, as it is a cheerful and (appropriately) happy book, one which leaves a smile on the reader's face. There isn't really a story here, the the text is fun all of the same, and the accompanying artwork expressive and full of life. I'd recommend this one to those seeking picture books about emotions—specifically, happiness—or featuring winsome little black girls. show less

An adult and child wander slowly through their day, observing and savoring. Becker's artwork, as always, is beautiful; I especially love the mural of people riding dragons that artists are painting on a wall.

See also: Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer