You Have A Voice

by Vera Ahiyya, Fabiana Faiallo (Illustrator)

You Have a Voice celebrates the power every child naturally holds in using their voice to make change for good and empowers both kids and grown-ups to use their voice. Inspired by Vera Ahiyya’s viral video that has been viewed by millions comes her powerful debut children’s book.

Genres: Picture Books, Social Justice, Childrens, Cultural, Activism

36 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2022

About the author

Vera Ahiyya (née Corbett) was born in Germany and raised in El Paso, TX with her wonderful mother and amazing grandparents. Originally a pre-med student, Vera realized her calling as an educator at Austin College in Sherman, TX, where she majored in History and Psychology and earned her MA in Education. Vera has taught Kindergarten and first grade for the last 15 years in Austin, Boston, and Brooklyn. Vera’s online presence is dedicated to influencing other educators by spreading her vast knowledge and love of diverse children’s books. Vera’s unwavering commitment to social justice and diversity is also the focal point of her professional development presentations for other educators. Vera lives in Brooklyn with her husband Lonnell and her dog, Mozi.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just lovely. I love the illustrations and the mantra throughout the book. Highly recommended.

[Cassie Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children’s books to read with my son and in my kindergarten classroom. Not only is it a great conversation starter, but we revisit the refrain repeated in the book regularly in the course of a week. “You know what’s right, you know what’s wrong. You have a voice. So stand up, be strong!“ has become a mantra in our classroom.

This book is beautifully illustrated and thoughtful written. The pictures are inclusive and represent so many children and experiences.

Cannot recommend this book enough! A must have for every child’s library.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good message about even young children knowing what's right & wrong and being encouraged to be strong and speak up about racism. The inconsistency in the rhyme schemes made the read aloud not flow as much as I would have hoped/expected.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text of this book is strong, clear, and empowering. In rhyming text, a teacher explains what racism is to their classroom of youngsters, and exhorts them to do what they can to stop it in the course of their daily life. However, some of the illustrations struck me as problematic. One of the pages shows members of the classroom dressed up as different activists, lawyers, inventors, astronauts, and other ground-breaking people, and one of the vignettes in the spread shows a boy who appears White dressed up as Garrett Morgan (not with blackface, thank god-- rather in old fashioned clothing and with the label "Garrett Morgan" below him). This just seems quite odd in a book about racism! Even if the kiddos are supposed to be presenting a report on a historical figure, for example, there would be no need for them to dress up as the focus of their report; in this particular instance it just comes off as very strange and a whitewashing of Garrett Morgan. The text in this book is fine, so it could certainly still be used as long as you're ready to add a little context to the illustrations and clarify that Garrett Morgan was a Black inventor.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have a voice, so speak up, be strong! This 36 page picture book for ages pre-school and up, is framed as a teacher talking to her class about racism and how we all need to work to make it disappear. The author is an educator, and I happily joined her class and felt empowered, inspired, and eager to lend my energy to making a difference. The book explains what racism is, what you can do to stop the injustice, and reaffirms that you do know what is right and what is wrong, so trust that instinct and act on it. Even small children will be motivated toward action, especially by seeing the illustrated classroom filled with children that look like them, including an adorable #muslimintheillustrations. 📚A fun rhyming read, covering an important topic in a kid engaging way!💜happy Reading y’all💜#islamicschoollibrarian #muslimsintheillustrations #blacklivesmatter #2022

[James Donald]

This book revolves around skin color having privileges. Racism is talked about. Your voice must be heard to make a difference in the world (Ahiyya, V., & Faiallo, F. (2021). You have a voice. Hightree Publishing).

This book would be suitable for kindergarten to fourth grade because of the subject matter. It has a very sensitive topic that is presented in an intelligent manner.

I selected this book because it covers a very serious topic that should be presented as early as possible. It will let children know that skin color should never matter in reaching your goals and dreams. It also encourages children to speak up.

[The Library Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yup, I have a voice, only I'm not using it out loud. Inside though I am screaming.

This book has inspired a new bookshelf "All Agenda, No Story." As for the art, the illustrator apparently does stuff like this to pay the bills and just uses the usual digital crap--the liner notes say she "saves" real artwork for her own personal work. A bright colorful book that checks off all the boxes, the sort that I am obliged to buy, knowing how ephemeral it will be.

[Nikki Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL COVER!!!! This book is excellent and sends a POWERFUL message on how all children have a voice and should feel empowered. This would give a great empowerment for the students to speak up on racism and injustices. I purchased this book and will have it in my classroom to give the students an exploration towards their voices and would love to give this book to teachers as gifts. There are different students that are diverse and have different abilities.

[Lexi Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about understanding racism and how it is wrong. It is summed perfectly up for a young child to understand and speak up when they see racism.
I would use this book as a discussion point. I would use this during circle time and have many conversations with it. I think children understanding they have a voice and they can use it is very important and is one of our jobs as educators. It's also important to discuss large topics like racism with young groups of kids.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books that are high concept with a rhyming scheme don't work. This one does. The rhyme scheme is just enough for kids to remember the words. Words like Racism are defined appropriately for young readers, as is the action described to combat it. All in all, very worthwhile for your shelves. Inclusion is done very well.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up because of a friend's recommendation. Read it out loud to my kindergartener and now it needs to go in my picture book collection. Beautiful pictures full of diverse children. But more than that is the message that each person has a voice to stop racism and make a difference in the world! ❤

[Jasmine Gaydos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book encourages children to speak out against racism and to use their voice to make change in the world. I think this is a good book to introduce to children because it gives them a sense of encouragement to use their voices to make that change in the world for the better. I would use this in my classroom.

[Natalie Nowak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book! It was diverse and that was so nice for my heart! It talked about how everyone has a voice and everyone should be able to use it. But, sometimes depending on your skin color you might have a smaller voice. That shouldn't put you down though, it should make you want to fight even harder! I can use this book in my classroom for any occasion!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonderful introduction to what racism is for the younger kids (K-2).

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important message and great illustrations, but the rhyme scheme was inconsistent.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously, what is the deal with all the social messaging books having lovely art but getting ruined by awful scansion? Books for children don't have to rhyme.

Love that art, though.

[Abby Houk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The images showed children from many different cultures and with different abilities. This book can teach children that everyone is equal. We are all valuable.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorably illustrated picture book urging kids to stand up against racism. It was a fun read, and I love the inclusive cast of characters.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 6 year old and we both loved it. The artwork is amazing and the message is one more people not just children need in their lives. This is a must read for people of all ages.