- Details
- By HarperCollins Children's Books
Renowned author Nikki Grimes and debut picture book writer Stacy Wells (Choctaw) lend their resonant, lyrical voices to award-winning artist E. B. Lewis’s (Lenni Lenape) luminous watercolor illustrations in a deeply moving picture book that explores heritage, memory, and the enduring power of ancestral love.
Together, these celebrated creators craft a story that honors both Black and Choctaw histories, inviting young readers to reflect on how the past shapes who we are—and how it can guide us through our most vulnerable moments.
At the heart of the story is Dante, a thoughtful Black Choctaw boy who is troubled by recurring nightmares. Night after night, unsettling images disturb his sleep, leaving him anxious and exhausted. Dante’s mother understands that these fears are not just figments of a child’s imagination. She believes they are connected to deeper questions—about identity, belonging, and the weight of history that can quietly press on even the youngest shoulders. Hoping to comfort her son, she encourages him to learn more about their family’s past, trusting that knowledge can be a source of strength.
As Dante begins to explore his heritage, he discovers that the roots of his family tree run deep and wide, stretching across generations on both sides of his identity. His mother explains that their ancestors endured what she calls “daymares”—real-life horrors that took place in the daylight, far more frightening than any dream. These include stories of forced removal, enslavement, displacement, and the ongoing struggle for dignity and survival. Though painful, these histories are shared with care, framed not only by loss but also by resilience, courage, and hope.
Driven by curiosity and a growing need to understand himself, Dante takes the journey further on his own. He listens, reads, and reflects, piecing together fragments of family stories and historical truths. What he finds is not easy. The realities of injustice and suffering weigh heavily on him, and at first, they seem to deepen his unease. Yet alongside these hard truths, Dante also uncovers something unexpected: a powerful legacy of love. Across generations, his ancestors supported one another, protected their children, and carried forward traditions, values, and dreams even in the face of unimaginable hardship.
E. B. Lewis’s evocative illustrations bring this emotional journey vividly to life. His art captures quiet, intimate moments between Dante and his mother, as well as broader reflections of history and memory, blending past and present with warmth and grace. The illustrations serve as a visual bridge between generations, reinforcing the idea that ancestors are never truly gone—they remain present in stories, in bloodlines, and in the strength passed down to those who come after.
Through this growing understanding, Dante begins to see his nightmares differently. They are no longer just frightening images but signals pointing him toward something important: the unbroken line of resilience that connects him to his ancestors. With this realization comes comfort and empowerment. Knowing what his family survived—and how they endured—helps Dante reclaim a sense of safety and pride. Gradually, the nightmares loosen their grip, and he finds the peace he needs to rest.
This poignant picture book offers young readers a compassionate introduction to intergenerational history and trauma, while emphasizing healing, connection, and hope. It affirms that while the past holds pain, it also holds wisdom and strength—and that by understanding where we come from, we can find the courage to face our fears and sleep peacefully through the night.
Purchase "Stronger Than" here.
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