The Book of Mean People (20th Anniversary Edition)

A book about mean people, written by Toni Morrison and illustrated by Slade Morrison, explores how children experience meanness and anger in our world. The wise young narrator shows that meanness can be a whisper or a shout, a smile or a frown, and includes parents, siblings, and bullies of various varieties. The book encourages embracing optimism, kindness, and joy despite any meanness encountered, and is as relevant today as it was when it was originally published 20 years ago.

Format: Hardback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

A fresh edition of one of literary legend Toni Morrison's first picture books, written in collaboration with her son, Slade Morrison, is now available for a new world. This book delves into the realm of meanness, exploring the various manifestations of this trait across different individuals, regardless of their size. Some mean people are large, while others are small.

In Toni Morrison's second illustrated book collaboration with her son Slade, she presents a humorous and insightful exploration of how children encounter meanness and anger in our world. The Morrisons recognized that the world and its language can be confusing to young readers. Meanness can take on various forms, sizes, and sounds to a child. The wise young narrator demonstrates that meanness can manifest as a whisper, a shout, a smile, or a frown, as the list of mean people grows to include parents, siblings, and bullies of various kinds.

Today's young readers are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of meanness and will find solace in having their perspective championed in The Book of Mean People. Moreover, the book's message of embracing optimism, kindness, and joy in the face of any meanness encountered will provide heartening guidance for these readers. Adult readers, too, will likely recognize some of these situations from their own lives.

The Book of Mean People, originally published 20 years ago, remains as relevant today as ever. With whimsical yet sophisticated art by bestselling illustrator Pascal Lemaitre, this book offers a timeless and enduring exploration of human behavior. The new cover and back matter, which includes an afterword by bestselling and critically acclaimed author Jewell Parker Rhodes, further enhances the appeal of this captivating tale.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 238 x 249 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316349673