Reeves, Howard W. We the People Is All the People. Duncan Tonatiuh, Illus. Abrams, 04/2026. [36]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-7649-6. GRADES Kindergarten–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
This unusual free verse poetic essay offers a modern interpretation of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution’s opening phrase “We the People.” The text gives many examples, including people of various faiths, ethnicities, abilities, and occupations using a clipped, dynamic text: “People who look different ways, love different ways, and communicate different ways.” The colorful, distinctive folk art style illustrations contribute as much as the text does, depicting the vast diversity of the United States. This will be useful for patriotic holiday celebrations, social studies class discussions, and families seeking ways to describe the struggles in U.S. history. The book ends with notes from the author and illustrator that spell out how the original Preamble only included some white males, not all the people.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool