You came bustling into the world,
a mighty bundle of energy, ready to do great things.
And no wonder—you stand on the shoulders
of those who came before, and you, too, were BORN TO SHINE.
You come from laughter and love.
From a big family—by way of the bayou—who ate
crawdads at the crab boil after Sunday service.
From a mother who’s as warm as a brassy African sunset
and a father whose emboldened strength lies
just beneath his tender heart.
And you?
You embody a spirit that soars with delight over
new possibilities. You can go anywhere.
YOU CAN BE ANYTHING.
Copyright © 2023 by Sara Chinakwe; Illustrated by Ken Daley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.