OUR GRACIE AUNT

Woodson narrates her picture book with sure timing and emotional stresses that increase the story's poignancy. Woodson voices the confusion and innocence of viewpoint character Johnson. This contrasts with the prickly, defensive attitude of his older sister, Beebee. Eventually the children are taken to their Gracie Aunt, an unfamiliar relative. Woodson expresses Gracie's warmth as Johnson and Beebee eventually find comfort in a home with a tire swing, tuck-ins, snuggling, and crying together. When Johnson and Beebee return to see their mother, she seems smaller as she tells them, "Even when a mama loves you, she can't always take care of you." Certain in this powerful, tender, hopeful story is that there is plenty of love surrounding these siblings. [Published: JANUARY 2026]