Watch Me by Doyin Richards and Joe Cepeda (Review)

Title: Watch Me
Author: Doyin Richards
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Type: Nonfiction
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
(Macmillan Publishers)
Date published: January 12, 2021

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A picture book about immigration, Watch Me is based on the author’s father’s own story.

Joe came to America from Africa when he was young. He worked hard in school, made friends, and embraced his new home. Like so many immigrants before and after him, Joe succeeded when many thought he would fail.

In telling the story of how his father came to America, Doyin Richards tells the story of many immigrants, and opens the experience up to readers of all backgrounds. Here is a moving and empowering story of how many different people, from different places, make us great. Acclaimed artist Joe Cepeda brings the story to life with beautiful paintings, full of heart.

⤖ My Review ⬻

Books like Watch Me by Doyin Richards and Joe Cepeda are so important! Not only did this book touch on the stories of people of colour, but it talked about immigration as well. Reading about the difficulties faced by the main character in Watch Me simply due to the colour of his skin broke my heart! Understanding why people are racist and hateful, and why this is considered okay by a good portion of our society, is something that I always struggle with.

This nonfiction children’s book telling the story of the author, Doyin Richards, father cover topics that I know I definitely want to expose my children to (once I have them). Embracing people from all walks of life, all parts of the world, no matter their skin colour, religion, culture, etc. etc. is such an important part of being a decent human being in my opinion, and it is my hope that books like Watch Me will teach readers of all ages about the importance of understanding and loving one another.