Walk the Walk

We all have the power to make meaningful change! This story about one step in the civil rights movement - the Montgomery Bus Boycott - follows one boy's day walking the walk.

Dexter and his Papa have a long walk ahead to Dex's piano lessons. Dex sure wants to ride one of those buses that keep on passing by-just this once. But when it comes to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and standing up to segregation, Papa always says you can't just talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk, or else they'll keep moving you to the back of the bus. So Dex and Papa keep on walking to the beat of the street, marveling at the sights and the people they see, and discover that their destination is closer than they think.

Including engaging backmatter, this timely, accessible picture book demonstrates how ordinary people-like these characters-can walk the walk through their community as part of a movement to make meaningful change, and will inspire new generations of activists ready to walk the walk. Exciting new author R.J. Owens and New York Times bestselling illustrator Reggie Brown craft an engaging and relevant picture book about the ways we can all work to make change.

Author: R. J. Owens
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 04/14/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 9.80h x 11.00w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781547609604
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 42
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 03/30/2026
Booklist 04/01/2026

About the Author

R.J. Owens is an author who's been engaged as a community storyteller with the Oakland Tribune, a retail advertising copywriter, and an attorney editor for a legal treatise. Walk the Walk is inspired by his interest in the civil rights movement and in portraying the resiliency and courage of children in trying situations. R.J. is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a longtime resident of Oakland, California. He received a JD from Berkeley Law and pursued an MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. R.J.'s picture books include A Song So Black, So Proud!, Cowgirl Dreaming, and Sunshine's Coming Through. R.J. is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Reggie Brown is an artist and a New York Times bestselling children's illustrator. He has illustrated the picture books Kicks, Who Are Your People?, Santa In the City, Baseball Baby, and the Magnificent Makers chapter book series. He has a background in corporate graphic design, and is now focusing on illustrating for children. His multicultural upbringing as an African-American and Filipino man is what drives his true passion of illustrating children's stories and bringing underrepresented voices alive through his art. Reggie is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and lives in San Diego, California where he enjoys eating burritos, watching Star Wars, and spending time with his wife.
reggiebrownart.com
@reggiebrownart