What Shall We Tell You? Hardcover by Wade Hudson; Illustrated by Tonya Engel

Product Details

• Publisher: Astra Young Readers (2026-10-27)
• Language: English
• Paperback: 32 pages
• ISBN-13: 9781662621109
• Item Weight: 408.24 grams
• Dimensions: 26.11 x 23.83 x 0.97 cm

A moving, hopeful picture book for ages 4–8, perfect for families, classrooms, and anyone seeking an inspiring story about kindness, belonging, and courage in the face of bigotry.

What do adults say when a child feels hurt, excluded, or afraid? In lyrical question-and-answer verses, this tender poem offers reassurance, naming hardship without turning away from it. Wade Hudson’s compassionate words, paired with Tonya Engel’s lush illustrations, create a gentle, deeply felt read-aloud about resilience, love, and the quiet strength that helps children endure difficult days. Poignant and uplifting, this beautiful picture book affirms that every child matters and that hope can rise even in dark moments. A heartfelt choice for shared reading, it is a moving reminder that love and kindness can help children feel seen, safe, and strong.

About the Author

Wade Hudson is the author of numerous books for children, including the memoir Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South, and is also the co-editor of the critically acclaimed collection Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life. He and his wife Cheryl are frequent co-authors and the co-founders and publishers of Just Us Books, a company dedicated to publishing books geared toward Black children.

Tonya Engel is an award-winning artist and illustrator of more than 30 children’s books, many of which feature Black women in history. Her books include Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste, Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, and Yaya and the Sea by Karen Good Marable, which was a 2024 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book. Tonya’s art can also be found on prints, greeting cards, and textiles.