Woke Baby

by Mahogany L. Browne, Theodore Taylor III (Illustrator)

For all the littlest progressives, waking up to seize a new day of justice and activism.

Woke babies are up early. Woke babies raise their fists in the air. Woke babies cry out for justice. Woke babies grow up to change the world.

This lyrical and empowering book is both a celebration of what it means to be a baby and what it means to be woke. With bright playful art, Woke Baby is an anthem of hope in a world where the only limit to a skyscraper is more blue.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Social Justice, Storytime, Fiction, African American, Activism

22 pages, Board Book

First published December 31, 2018

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a board book! But it really has to come to this: for so long African American children have been so underrepresented in books - why not start out with board books! Hope this shows that there is always time to pay attention to change - old or young - still a long way to go!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Propaganda for the wee folks! Ensure your baby is angry by instilling the victim mentality from the get go. It's never too early!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't listen to the haters on this book, this book is all the babies that ain't sleep and refuse to be pacified with a pacifier!

Woke baby, y'all!

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Woke Baby, written by Mahogany L. Browne and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III, a baby book that aims to empower the youngest of bookworms.

A tiny baby wakes in their crib, peeking open their eye before the sun has even risen (the baby’s gender is kept ambiguous throughout). The narrator muses on each motion of waking the baby goes through, and the promise of power it shows: stretching out with fists raised to represent the strength of a panther, eyes open, wide and bright and seeing; feet kicking through glass ceilings, and hands reaching for what is theirs. Woke Baby is here, with limitless promise and possibility, and ready to take on the world.

I admit, on my first read-through of this book, I didn’t get it – tying the actions of a waking baby to the symbols and mores of social activism seemed a bit of a stretch. However, by the second time, I began to understand. I think a universal concern for parents is bringing a child into the world that seems to have so many problems, so much that is going wrong and so much that needs to be fixed; that baby needs to be protected from. This story challenges both the adult and little one to look at it a different way, positing that our power and capacity for change is innate, that it’s in every movement and gesture from the time we first raise our first, babble our first thoughts, and open our eyes – “woke” to the world around us. It’s a very subtle but ultimately encouraging and empowering message for little ones. The art is kept simple, using a limited color palette and a command of light and shadow to keep the titular baby as the visual focus. The length was fine for teeny tiny bookworms, and JJ enjoyed it as well. A minimalist book that inspires complex consideration, and very nicely done. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so a lot of people are hating on this b/c of the fact that its message is more aimed to the adult not the kid. Have ya'll read baby books and children's books? Quite a few fall into that category (Quantum Physics for babies, I'm looking at you), and I don't see a problem with that - particularly for babies - it's most important they hear and observe you reading, and the key to parents reading is enjoying what they're reading. The rhymes flow in this, the message is on point, and the illustration style is lovely. I feel it will see a lot of use in our collection, and welcome diversity.

[alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

i mean...i see what they were trying to do with this...and i like the concept..i just don’t think a book for a baby is the right place to use the term “glass-ceiling”

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is much, much better than similar books, but it is still vague and shallow. It also insists, as so many books do, that Baby should push back against all boundaries and take what is theirs. Without any context to ground this, it's a terrible message, because babies do not, in fact, thrive in the absence of boundaries. I know what the author's point is, but the book is too vague and general to send a real message. It just checks off the boxes for key buzz words and concepts that adults want to see in a picture book.

[Awr0910yahoo.Com · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to keep an open mind, but had a hard time. Wokeness is basically a religion, and obviously for "progressives" as the book states. Wokeness Is an Ideology based on anti-capatalism disguised as anti-racism. Let me preference by saying, I want everyone to grow up feeling empowered, to fight for justice and social equality. The poems are well written and the pictures are beautiful, however, I don't believe this is an empowering book.
For instance, the fist symbol is a KNOWN marxist/communist/socialist symbol, so I wasn't a fan of the poem and the "baby fist" depicting it as a sign of "justice" when that symbol has killed hundreds of millions through mass genocide via the "oppressor vs oppressed" narrative that is Marxism. So that poem really didn't sit well, and most certainly doesn't provide empowerment. Historically it has shown to create disgust and resentment. So unfortunately, this seems like Indoctrination. The similarity between the US Social justice warriors and the USSR pioneers is erie.
Now, I understand people have all kinds of "Indoctrination" books for their little ones depending on what religious children's books they read, but for me, this book is just a big no. Unfortunately, this type of education will not get us where we actually want to go, in terms of a better society for everyone, but it's seems to be heavily pushed. Our country will never become a Socialist country without mass Propaganda to convince people to vote it in and then it's a slippery slope to communism.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and beautiful testament to young Black children. "Up, up, up on each knee, bent like half-moons. Woke Baby, you are an awakened dream!" Perfect start for Black History Month.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book caught my eye in the library, so I read it. The baby is genderless (it is a *woke* baby, after all), but there is a reference to glass ceilings that should appeal to the feminists and some knee language that will please Kaepernick fans. Also, panther fists.

Ultimately, this was a rallying cry that didn't tell me what to cry out for, other than the amorphous "justice." I'm sure this will be great for book sales, as it's a message that can resonate with anybody who reads it, so long as they don't know any actual babies.

You see, babies...are not actually independent, they don't do well without boundaries, and they have no idea what true justice requires, much less a desire for it.

So the book is kind of ridiculous from that standpoint. But we've also got it pushing the ancient, false narratives that you, dear reader, are independent, that boundaries are inherently tools of oppression, and that the world can be cured of what ails it through human effort.

It's a feel-good book, but not a good-for-you book.

[This Kooky Wildflower Loves a Little Tea and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Browne's board book, she writes of a baby's awakening to each new day, alert, happy, joyous, and aware of what it brings. Perseverance, determination, and hope permeate this short book to future generations awaiting the dawn.

4.5/5

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised. I am glad to see the point that babies are inherently "woke", we all just need to catch up.

[Good Citizen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a great book if you would like to teach your baby they are a victim and defined by their race. I guess "woke" is the new dog whistle for "racist"? Let's unite no divide. Let's empower, not victimize. Stop teaching hate.

[Julia Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's never too early to start teaching kids about activism and justice! I wanted more of this book, so I really hope there is a series made.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES. This manages to make you laugh and warm your heart at the same time. YES. YES. YES.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute🤗

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to get to purchase this book. It celebrates children having their own agency and voice, while also encouraging the caregivers to view the baby’s actions as precursors to future activism. It’s definitely not a book for everyone, but most books aren’t. I think it would have made more sense as a board book considering that it’s targeted for babies, but it’s still effective this way.

For: readers wanting a book for starting the conversation about activism very early; readers wanting books with diversity and complex topics.

Red flags: pushes for activism that some readers may find too liberal.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Playing off the slang for being aware or having one's consciousness raised or being woke, as my students like to say, this picture book follows one baby's daily activities, from the moment he awakens to when he takes a brief rest. There are references to how he goes through life, always pushing boundaries and taking what is his. I liked the idea for the book, but didn't particularly like the follow-through. I wish there had been a bit more to it. Still, books like this just might nurture future social activists and resisters of the status quo.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and depiction of a baby waking up before the sun and being aware of his own body and movements. The very obvious message of activism appeals to the adult reader, yet is still a gentle message to young readers past babyhood.

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BABY IS FUGGIN WOKE!

[Lindsay Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To those raising and teaching our babies to stay woke and to rise."

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I am the correct audience for this one..I understand the intent and what the book is trying to say, but I found it too forced and had a hard time connecting with it.

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, this book is adorable, and the message of Black empowerment is needed. I'm not sure if I agree with the use of "woke" in this instance though, which seems to be held as synonymous with self-empowerment in the face systemic oppression here. It's questionable, but probably too much analysis for a toddler board book. Further, I am aware that the message really doesn't apply as well to my white daughter, but again, I'm probably putting too much thought into this. Glad that it is in my daughter's library.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wished for a toddler picture book that incorporated the glass ceiling? Have you ever looked at your sleeping, wiggly baby and thought that they move like a revolutionary? If yes is your answer, this brilliant book is for you.

I squealed with delight *and* laughed out loud while reading it.

[David]

I love reading this book to my son because it is all about empowerment put in terms of a baby's life and that resonate with my dreams for him as a parent. The rhythm of the text reminds me of slam poetry and the illustrations are bright. It does a great job of encouraging empowerment tempered with justice so it does not come off as raising an entitled child.

[Christina Olivares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!!

[Kaylee Taunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this is a very true and beautiful book. I however I wish the illustrations were more detailed or colorful.

[Eli Millette · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate teaching kids about activism, but I find this picture book a bit cheesy for my taste.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cute. Enjoy the illustrations.