Hey You!

Illustrator Dapo Adeola’s debut as author, Hey You! (Puffin), is a lyrical celebration of growing up black. Featuring the work of 18 illustrators, including Diane Ewen, Onyinye Iwu and Selom Sunu - since, as Adeola states: “I’m just one person, I can’t possibly hope to speak for the entire diaspora” - it distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future. – Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *
A beautifully realised book, helmed by illustrator Dapo Adeola and featuring a number of other excellent artists, this is a portrait of the Black experience while growing up. From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it’s an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly. – Evening Standard * Evening Standard *
A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem. – The Independent * The Independent *
This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from Black illustrators, enabling parents to look up their other books, or keep an eye out for their work in the future. Perfect for new parents and fans of Oliver Jeffers Here We Are, I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C James, and Tami Charles’ and Bryan Collier’s All Because You Matter. – BookTrust * BookTrust *
Each double page spread, and the end papers, are all created by one of the eighteen talented Black illustrators assembled from all over the world or this book. It is a joy to see so many different yet complementary styles of illustration creating the whole. A book for every classroom and nursery in the country! * Love Reading 4 Kids *
This lyrical picture book is a message to our children, to show them how much we love and cherish them. To remind them they can achieve anything and be proud of their Black heritage and stand together. Reading this with my girls, I felt incredibly emotional. This is the book I wish I’d read as a child, and I feel so grateful to be able to read it with my children now. * Rachel Davis *
This ground-breaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today * ni4kids *
This book address - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It’s a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich rewarding reading experience for every child. – My Baba * My Baba *

Dapo Adeola is an award-winning illustrator and designer who creates characters and images that challenge expectations around race and gender in a fun and upbeat way. He is the co-creator and illustrator of bestselling picture book Look Up! - winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the number 1 debut picture book of 2019. London born and bred but of Nigerian heritage, when he’s not busy cooking up new characters and adventures you can find Dapo running illustration and character design workshops with children or organising events to help highlight the possibilities of a career in illustration to underrepresented members of the Black diaspora.

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