Toussaint! // Hero of the Haitian Revolution (Pre-order, Jan 5 2027)

This vibrant and compelling picture book biography tells the story of Toussaint Louverture, the Haitian hero who led his people to freedom. Ayiti, the Pearl of the Antilles, was once a pristine paradise. But in the 15th century, colonizers seized the island, dividing it in two and forcing enslaved Africans to labor in its sugarcane fields. For generations, the enslaved endured unimaginable suffering, all the while yearning for freedom. In 1743, a beacon of hope was born: Toussaint Louverture. Through extraordinary determination and resilience, Toussaint gained freedom for himself. And in 1791, when the call for revolution echoed across Haiti, he rose to lead. Forming international alliances, rallying his community, and working alongside Haitian generals, Toussaint led the charge for liberty—achieving the first and only successful slave revolution in history and inspiring change across the world. Jay Leslie graduated from Duke University with degrees in English, international comparative studies, and religion. After writing for Issa Rae Productions and being shortlisted for Chimamanda Adichie’s Farafina Trust, she co-authored a project on James Baldwin with Duke professor Dr. Adam Hollowell. She lives in Berlin, Germany. Rocky Cotard is an artist and illustrator born in Mirebalais, Haiti and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. His paintings and style reflect back to his identity and lineage, working to widen its representation across artforms. Some of Cotard's biggest inspirations span from artists like Phillipe Dodard and Ronald Mevs. Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Publish Date: January 05, 2027 Pages: 56 Language: English Type: Hardcover EAN/UPC: 9781250820594 Dimensions: 10 in H | 10 in W | 1 in T | 1 lb Wt BISAC Categories: Kids