Keep Your Head Up - by Aliya King Neil (Hardcover)

About the Book

D wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, but discovers after a long day at school that while not every day will be a good day, the bad ones will pass.

Book Synopsis

Teach little ones that it's okay to have a bad day in this brightly illustrated, gently affirmative picture book about keeping our heads up and letting things pass.

When a child wakes up late one day, it's only the first in a series of things to go terribly awry. But the people around them show them that what's important is being kind to yourself and getting through rough days. Because, after all, tomorrow is a fresh start.

Review Quotes

"Palmer's expressive acrylic paintings offer lush, vibrantly multilayered spreads... the resonant narrative gently encourages patience and compassion for readers doing their best to keep their own heads up."--Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW "October 18, 2021"

"Palmer's vigorous painterly strokes give the acrylic illustrations compelling power."--BCCB "September 1, 2021"

"Readers will recognize their own feelings of anger, disappointment, and loss of control through Neil's empathetic text, laden with sensory metaphors...an excellent book for teaching children the importance of showing themselves grace and kindness."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

About the Author

Aliya King Neil is an award-winning journalist and the author and coauthor of books for teens and adults. Her work has appeared in Vibe, Giant, Uptown, Essence, King, Ms., Us Weekly, and Teen People, among others. Keep Your Head Up is her first picture book. Visit her at AliyaSKing.com.

Charly Palmer, a graduate of the American Academy of Art, is a nationally recognized fine artist whose work is in private and public collections, including those of McDonald's Corporation, the Coca-Cola Company, and Vanderbilt University. His illustrative work for Mama Africa! earned him the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator of the Year award. Palmer's art is inspired by his children and grandchildren. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.