Sam Cooke’s Civil Rights Anthem Motivates a Stunningly Illustrated Children’s Book

Drawing inspiration from Sam Cooke’s legendary protest anthem, artist Nikkolas Smith has vividly brought A Change is Gonna Come to existence. Smith, whose “artivism” has earned him recognition and admirers including the Obamas, embraced the challenge of creating this children’s book filled with profound significance.

As Cooke’s uplifting lyrics materialize through the pages, Smith delivers a visual story that guides us through the Civil Rights movement. Through the perspective of a young boy capturing moments with his camera, Smith effectively utilizes an artistic technique that engages readers of all ages and is bound to ignite conversations.

“I approached the meaningful task of visually interpreting this soulful piece with great care,” reveals Smith. “I achieved this by embedding the lyrics within a newly crafted narrative, set in the 1960s. The classic artistic style and expansive brushwork of each page evoke the essence of a mid-twentieth-century oil painting, heavily inspired by the famed photographer Gordon Parks, a close friend of Sam Cooke. I wished for the main character’s journey to resonate as if seen directly through the lens of Parks’s Voigtländer Brillant camera.”

The book strikingly balances the triumphs and challenges of the Civil Rights movement, offering a sense of hope while also recognizing hardships. Thus, A Change is Gonna Come serves as a remarkable introduction for young readers to the intricate history of racial relations in America.

Even the estate of Cooke is in support. “We aspire for this book to be a source of inspiration as well as a catalyst for significant discussions—around social justice, compassion, and the collective influence we all possess to forge a brighter future,” expresses Nicole Cooke-Johnson, a granddaughter of the singer, in a note accompanying the book.

With pages showcasing historical figures (who are thoughtfully identified and explained at the end of the book), A Change is Gonna Come is likely to become a vital resource for educating the upcoming generation about the progress we have made—or not made—since the civil rights era.

A Change is Gonna Come is currently available for purchase on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and major retailers across the nation.

A Change is Gonna Come is a fresh illustrated children’s book by Nikkolas Smith.

Inspired by the memorable Sam Cooke protest song, his lyrics weave through the pages as Smith depicts the highs and lows of the civil rights era.

“Our aspiration is for this book to serve as not just a source of inspiration but also a prompt for significant discussions,” notes Cooke’s estate, which has endorsed the book.

My Modern Met has given permission to showcase images by Little Bee Books.

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