The Joys of Being a Little Black Boy

The Joys of Being a Little Black Boy is a vividly illustrated children’s book that brings to life Roy, a joyful Black boy.

Roy takes young readers on a upbeat journey through history to meet some of the world’s most notable Black men--heroes who were each, at one time, a young Black boy. Teaching young children not only about these great men and moments in history but also pride and self-respect, The Joys of Being a Little Black Boy brings necessary representation to children’s bookshelves in a colorful and charming way.

A guide included at the end helps adults delve into further stories, resources, and discussions on these figures of Black history and the joys of being part of that lineage.

Valerie Reynolds is a Chicago-based writer, media professional, and marketing consultant. She is an integrated marketing communications and media relations expert who has been spearheading organizational content development, brand strategies, and marketing communications initiatives for close to 20 years. She holds an MBA in marketing from American InterContinental University, a master of journalism from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a bachelor of arts from The Ohio State University. Chris Turner is an illustrator based in Dayton, Ohio. He is a graduate of Stivers School for the Arts, a magnet school in the Dayton Public Schools district. Chris is a 2015 winner of the Congressional Art Competition, which is a visual art competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute to nationally recognize and encourage the artistic talent of high school students.