Man, you're picky. That's not always a bad thing, either. You know what you want so you choose deliberately, carefully, with plenty of thought behind it. What's right for you is right for you and you won't take anything less. ...

When you're a kid, there are so many things to learn. Someone has to teach you your A-B-Cs, and to count to a hundred. You have to learn to tie a knot and set the table and stay safe. And ...

One step at a time. That's how you get anywhere: methodical, with purpose, one foot in front of the other until you get where you're going. You never waver. You never take shortcuts, side roads, or easy-outs, and as in ...

Wild-eyed and panicked. You must've been a sight last year, two days before the holidays, and with four final what-do-I-give presents to find. That's when you stop, deep-breathe, and find yourself a bookstore, for these great last-minute gift ideas... Let's ...

The holidays this year are going to be, well, unique. Some family members won't be there. Others are coming, regardless of whatever's going on in the country. Still others are sending their regards and a box of presents, which is ...

You had every intention to stand still that night. Nice try. Your shoulders were shimmying ten seconds after you stepped to a beat, left foot, right foot, through a wall of thump that came from speakers taller than you. You ...

Your birthday card had a Black History postage stamp on it. As always, it was from Grandma and though it's kind of corny, you look forward to it ever year: a blue or red envelope outside, a sentimental saying with ...

You can't stand to watch another happily-ever-after movie again. You're done with all those romancy novels, tender songs of love, and dreams of flowers every Valentine's Day. Statistically speaking – and being realistic – that stuff isn't in the cards ...

"Excuse me. It's my time to talk." Ugh, it's frustrating when someone doesn't honor your voice or respect your ideas. When it's your time to speak, they should at least be quiet, and you shouldn't feel bad for wanting to ...

These days, helping others is on point. It's the best thing to do – not just for them, but for you. Everybody's happy when you work together because it makes the task a little easier, and learning is better when ...

You're beat down. Tired, ready to rest, just plain done. So much racism, so many politicians doing so many things. You're wiped, laid low with no more go, and you're not sure you have the energy for more of this. ...

Please and Thank You. Those were The Magic Words you learned at your mother’s knee, the ones that opened doors and gained favors. That was also when you learned something important, as you’ll see in “My Own Words” by Ruth ...

Either, or. The choice is yours: do you pick one thing, or take the other? Stay where you are, or reach for better? This or that, any way, you always have to decide: do you take either, or... as in ...

Did you see that? Sure you did. You couldn't miss it, actually, because you can spot hatred, discrimination, and bad trouble a mile away. You know when something's wrong and you saw it; saw it coming, in fact, and you ...

Sometimes, things change in a minute. You look, and it's one way. You look again, it's different, and you didn't even see the change happening. You might not like it but that never matters. As in the new picture book ...