Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready!

by Raphael G. Warnock, TeMika Grooms (Illustrator)

From Georgia's first Black Senator Raphael Warnock comes an inspiring picture book about finding your dreams and making your mark in the world.

Before Raphael Warnock became a pastor and the first Black senator from Georgia, he was a little boy whose father told him to get up, get dressed, put on his shoes, and get ready! So that’s what he did, along every step of his journey. From his work boots to his marching band shoes to his shiny lace-ups, Senator Reverend Warnock found the right shoes to fit his feet and to carry him toward his dreams.

This inspirational story, with bold, brilliant art by TeMika Grooms, follows Raphael Warnock’s journey from Savannah, Georgia, to the United States Senate and shows young readers that they, too, can find the power to be themselves and make a difference when they have the shoes that fit their feet.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, African American, History, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 10, 2023

Reviews

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The esteemed Senator Warnock tells the story of a childhood steeped in working hard in every task to be done in the right pair of shoes, from working with his dad in the family business, attending church where his dad preached, attending Morehouse College to become a preacher like his dad and his role model, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and finally to become the state of Georgia's first black senator, Warnock challenges children to put their shoes on and get ready to work.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what it was about this book my son (4.5 years old) loved, but he made me read it every night for the week we borrowed this book. It was a worthwhile bio to read, but man, I struggled reading this one aloud. Like, I couldn’t find the cadence and stumbled through the sentences. Does that make sense?

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this inspirational picture book, the minster and Georgia's first Black Senator uses his life journey to inspire children to realize their dreams and make their own marks in the world. The shoes metaphor is thoroughly worn out by the end of the narrative, but the relentless positivty and humor are appealing.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading My Library Quest: Renton Highlands Library, Easy Reader Biography

This book by Senator Warwick works well as a picture book, using the metaphor of putting shoes on to convey jumping into each day prepared for the tasks ahead, whether working in a car lot or preaching or being a senator. Good story, good pictures.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about the many different jobs we have at different stages in our lives. Also, I like the idea of walking your own life path with your own shoes. You have to put in the work. No one will do it for you, this book seems to say. Sweet book.

#BlackHistoryMonth

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 332

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we begin to celebrate Black History Month, this was the perfect book for children. I hope they learned the lesson they can do or be any thing they choose if they Get Up! , Get Ready, and Put Their Shoes Own.

Love the illustrations.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

How a saying from his father, inspired Warnock's life focus.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great metaphor and message.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important picture book about the life of Raphael G. Warnock who made great strides in the many shoes he wore and followed his father's words to find his own way.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - Beautifully illustrated! I greatly admire Rev. Warnock and was excited to read this as I was intrigued by his metaphor to inspire civic action. Unfortunately the story felt choppy and the figurative language just didn't completely work for me. Still, a worthwhile biography based on the life of an important, faithful, and artful American for all young readers to remind us of traits we should all mirror.