All Good in the Hood

When a Black family plans to celebrate Juneteenth at a nearby park, the narrating child protagonist of this picture book would prefer to stay home—“’Cuz here, I’m safe and sound./ The hood feels scary when we’re walking around.” But with Big Bro’s support, the child is persuaded to head out with the family, which together navigates tense situations en route—a speeding truck, a growling dog—by reassuring the anxious child: “It’s all good in the hood.” When they find the park crowded, the overwhelmed protagonist wants to head home, but sibling support continues to save the day. Though the narrator’s fears are presented without context, Reed’s conversational rhymes and Jose’s cartoon-style digital illustrations capture the celebratory air of the family’s local Juneteenth festivities, the heightened state of the main character’s emotions, and the bolstering support that a close family relationship can bring. An author’s note briefly discusses Juneteenth. Ages 4–8. [em](May) [/em]