In Praise of Our Fathers and Our Mothers: A Black Family Treasury by Outstanding Authors and Artists

True to its title, this uneven collection gives prominent African American authors and artists a forum for heaping praise on their parents-for helping to shape them into creative adults and for giving them an appreciation of their African American heritage or, in the words of Candy Dawson Boyd, for ""making Black/ a good thing."" Among the standout entries are Walter Dean Myers's affecting tribute to his father, who, as the author learned after he had published many children's books, wasn't sufficiently literate to read his son's work; and Virginia Hamilton's articulate comments on the experience of marrying a white man and raising two biracial children. Unfortunately, a number of the book's offerings are rambling or ponderous, including a tedious interview with the two grown children of the late artist John Steptoe; and an oblique poem by Eugene B. Redmond, whose images and allusions are likely to elude most young readers. The illustrations, by a range of artists, include a collage-like painting by James E. Ransome, Ashley Bryan's composite woodcut inspired by family photos and Leo and Diane Dillon's stunning cover picture of a family dressed in armor (representing, according to the artists, ""battles won and lost, and endurance through the ages""). Given its level of sophistication and highly personal focus, this collection might be better suited to aficionados of African American literature than to children. All ages. (Feb.)