Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes, came out in summer of 2020. The book highlights the life of Harris from a child to the end of her run for president. I am not sure how updated the final results were, as I was reading a reader copy, but in the end, that is a little less important than how she became the first woman of color to hold her position. The fact that we follow a young girl named after a flower from birth to history is the main point.
According to the publisher content this was the first picture book biography of Harris. Poetically filled with the facts of her life, this is an interesting look into the life of a not just a Senator, or the life of a woman, or even a woman of color. It is the story of someone who wanted to kick some tail-feathers and did it. She did not sit back, and watch history being made, she made it.
Regardless of your feelings for Harris, this is a fairly even approach to the life and times of this person. Grimes even mentions a few times where Harris failed, though mostly focuses on the wins. Grimes has created a book that you can learn from as well as being entertained by.
Laura Freeman rounds everything off with some lovely illustrations. They are detailed, busy, colorful, and complimentary of the subject. I had not realized how many books I had read that Freeman has illustrations, and that is due to the fact it looks like they do not have a “signature style” to their work but fit the images to the work.
Overall, this book can be for all ages, but the format is aimed at the older reader. Having it read to a classroom might be the best way to present it.
