I’m From (signed by Gary R. Gray during his visit on October 6 to Whittier Elementary)

by Gary R. Gray Jr., illustrated by Oge Mora

When purchasing a book, please choose PICKUP AT PHINNEY BOOKS as your shipping option, but know that the books will get picked up by Ms. Newcomb, our school librarian.  All  books will be given to students the day of the event, where they will get to meet Gary and have him sign it. The deadline for purchasing a book is Tuesday, October 3^rd. Thank you!

(Balzer & Bray, hardcover, 2023)

A poetic, heartwarming ode to the small, defining moments of a boy's life, by a brilliant new debut and a Caldecott Honoree. For fans of Last Stop on Market Street.

Early morning wakeups and homemade pancakes,

Raucous bus rides and schoolyard games,

Family games and bedtime rituals...

These are the small moments that shape a child's day. I'm From is an invitation into the vivid world of one small boy, a poetic account of all the people and places and things that shape who he is and define where he is from.

Gary Gray, Jr., is a Black Canadian poet and educator who writes for young children and adults, and he's the host of the podcast ItsPersonal. Gray's love for literature stems from told and untold stories within his hometown of Preston, Nova Scotia, the largest Black community in Canada. He and his wife have been international educators for more than ten years. You can visit him online at garyrgrayjr.com.

Oge Mora graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration. Her debut picture book, Thank You, Omu!, was a Caldecott Honor Book, a New York Times Notable Book and Editors' Choice, and a Junior Library Guild selection. She is also the author-illustrator of Saturday as well as the illustrator of The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read. Oge lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and invites you to visit her website at ogemora.com.