THE GRANDMOTHER OF JUNETEENTH
THE TRUE STORY OF THE GRANDMOTHER OF JUNETEENTH, Opal Lee, and what it means to be free by Alice Faye Duncan, portray the story of how Juneteenth began.
During a family gathering, Opal sat with her grandson and other children to tell the story of this joyous occasion.
From slaves being brought to this country, to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln, each child sat delightfully listening to her story.
It highlights the dedication and perseverance of Black people in America. She tells of slaves in Texas being freed two years, five months, and 18 days after the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865.
After hearing the news of freedom, black enslaved people celebrated with jumping, singing, barbecues, and music, along with tears. But Juneteenth isn’t only about Texas, it’s about freedom, and Opal spoke of how Juneteenth was for her as a child.
With bold, vibrant illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo, this book is absolutely marvelous and celebrates black freedom and makes a great addition to every home and classroom.
THE JUNETEENTH STORY
THE JUNETEENTH STORY by Alliah L. Agostini celebrates one of the most remarkable milestones in American history.
Juneteenth or Jubilee Day honors the day slaves in the state of Texas finally gained their freedom.
From the Emancipation Proclamation to the first-ever celebration of Juneteenth on June 19, 1866, this remarkable book portrays the strength and resilience of Black Americans.
Coupled with a timeline of events and Alliah’s ancestral connection to Juneteenth, the illustrations by Sawyer Cloud are absolutely vivid and magnificent.
They did not teach many of us about Juneteenth in school, so that book is a great addition to your school and every home.
MY POWERFUL HAIR
MY POWERFUL HAIR by Carole Lindstrom portrays the strength and resilience of indigenous people.
It features a little girl who can’t wait for her hair to grow and introduces us to the horrid history of hair being taken away or cut from indigenous people’s heads.
Hair is extremely important and growing your hair long symbolized, strength, memory, and power.
It celebrates the sacredness of tradition and love, and pays homage to their ancestors. With bold illustrations by Steph Littlebird, this book allows us to appreciate the rich culture of Indigenous People everywhere.
JUST HELP
JUST HELP by Justice Sonia Sotomayor encourages us all to build a better world by being great helpers.
The first act of help follows a young Sonia as she organized and sends care packages to American soldiers overseas for her school’s service project.
From park cleanups to recycling plastic bags, every child does their part to help. Whether you donate or volunteer, every bit of help goes a long way toward building a better and more beautiful world.
Beautifully illustrated by Angela Dominguez, this remarkable book is prefect for every home and classroom.
IDA B. WELLS, VOICE OF TRUTH
IDA B. WELLS, VOICE OF TRUTH by Michelle Duster celebrates the life and legacy of one of the most influential and iconic women in black history and her great grandmother.
Ida B. Wells was not only a journalist, feminist, and suffragist, she was also a civil rights activist and was one of the founders of the NAACP.
Born into slavery in 1862, she fought for inequality in the U. S and internationally and wrote articles of the truth in her very own newspaper that broke barriers and created change for black people and women.
With vivid and bold illustrations by Laura Freeman, this masterpiece is the perfect representation of strength and perseverance. It’s an inspiration to young readers and provides hope for a better future.
28 DAYS: MOMENTS IN BLACK HISTORY
28 DAYS: MOMENTS IN BLACK HISTORY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Charles R. Smith Jr., highlights the actions and events of many black icons who contributed to change in America and the world.
From the iconic moments of Bessie Coleman and Matthew Henson to the Brown v. Board of Education eliminating segregation in schools to Barack Obama becoming the first black President of the United States, black people have always created a tremendous impact on the world’s culture.
With vibrant illustrations by Shane W. Evans, this book is a great addition to classrooms and every home. Black History is American History.
THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY
THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY by Jacqueline Woodson is one of the most anticipated books of 2022.
What do you do when you’re stuck inside? For a girl and her brother, exploring their imagination was the answer, as per their wise grandmother’s advice.
They imagined flying through the city and dreaming of flowers. Through every season, their imaginations grew. Remembering the beauty and brilliance of their ancestors and learning to overcome any situation.
With magnificently vibrant illustrations by Rafael Lopez, this motivational book sparks creativity and reassures us that there will always be a brighter outcome.
It’s relatable and a total gem to start the new year. Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books. AGE 4-8.
WE ARE STILL HERE!
Most of what we’ve been taught in school about Native American Culture is false.
WE ARE STILL HERE by Traci Sorell if loaded with a plethora of valuable information about Native American Culture.
From their hardships and struggles through assimilation and their fight for religious freedom, the determination and perseverance of indigenous people inspire us all.
With bold and vibrant illustrations by Frané Lessac, this book is absolutely remarkable and should be in every home and classroom. Publisher: Charlesbridge AGE 4-8.
STELLA’S STELLAR HAIR
We couldn’t wait to receive STELLA’S STELLAR HAIR by Yesenia Moises. Based on the vibrant illustrations alone, we were hooked.
Stella has big curly hair, but has no idea how to style it for the Big Star Little Gala. Her mommy suggested visiting her aunties on other planets for their help.
As she hovered through the solar system, she meets her aunts and they each gave her suggestions. Aunt Ofelia, who lives on Mercury, suggested a poofy-smooth style and her Aunt Rubi on Mars suggested an elegant crown, but none made Stella feel like herself.
After several planet-hopping visiting aunties, she arrives at the Sun to visit her Auntie Solana who assures her that sometimes hair just wants to have fun and doesn’t need to change.
Feeling motivated and inspired by her aunties, Stella styled her hair just the way she liked it.
STELLA’S STELLAR HAIR is about family and support. It’s so much fun to read and the vibrant, intergalactic illustrations are magical.
It encourages self-acceptance and hair love while teaching children about the solar system. Publisher:Imprint AGE 4-8.
THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR by Christine Platt is a middle grade book portraying the life of Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
From his early years, witnessing injustice to his march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery, it inspires children to speak up for equality and justice.
This book spreads a message of unity and strength and encourages people to stand against injustice, no matter your age or race.
Standing up for what’s right can help create positive change in this world. This book is powerful and a total must-have for every home. Publisher: Rockridge Press Age (8-12).
EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS
EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS by Joanna Ho is such a heartwarming ode to family, told through the eyes of an Asian girl.
Her eyes aren’t like her friend’s eyes, her eyes kiss at the corners. So do her Mama, Amah, and sister Mei Mei. Through their eyes, she experiences joy and love and stories of her ancestors.
Like most, their eyes say what they feel. From warm eyes that welcome sisterly bonds to eyes that provide hope for the future.
This book is magnificent and is a wonderful celebration of self-acceptance and pride. It celebrates the rich heritage and the strength of Asian culture, and it’s perfect for every classroom.
The illustrations by Dung Ho are absolutely stunning, with vibrant hues that transition through every page. Publisher: Harper Collins AGE 4-8.
WATCH ME
WATCH ME by Doyin Richards is a wonderful inspirational story of hope and resilience.
Joe immigrated from Sierra Leone to America to fulfill his dreams. He persevered through many challenging times, including hateful situation and discouragement from his peers.
He thrived and succeeded through it all, and his story and the story of many others like him inspire other immigrants seeking a better life.
This book is for anyone who feels ridiculed for their will to succeed. People may doubt you, but as long as you don’t doubt yourself and work hard, then that’s all that matters.
It’s perfect for children adjusting to a new country, and the bright, vibrant acrylic illustrations by Joe Cepeda captures the entire essence of this book. Publisher: Feiwel & Friends AGE 4-8.
ME AND THE WORLD
Did you know that people in India read the most and that Hong Kong is the most visited city in the world?
ME AND THE WORLD by Mireia Trius is a magnificent infographic book about this beautiful and diverse world we live in.
From the different types of families to different jobs, homes, school uniforms, and even playground games, this book highlights our differences, and what makes each country, each culture, and each person special?
Thanks to the vibrant and vivid illustrations by Joana Casals, this is the perfect pictorial Encyclopedia for children and even adults.
Teachers and Educators will love it, we couldn’t put this book down. AGE 4-8.
A PLACE INSIDE OF ME
A PLACE INSIDE OF ME by Zetta Elliot celebrates black lives, even during moments of struggle.
It features a boy, his skateboard, and his many emotions. From the joys of playing with his friends in the summer, to the sorrow and sadness that befalls him in autumn when someone gets shot by police in his neighborhood.
His fear, then turns to anger that makes him realize that he hungers to be free and won’t stay silent. This fills him with pride and strength because he ultimately emerges triumphant and full of peace.
This book is absolutely captivating with radiant and vivid illustrations by Noa Denmon.
The poem resonated to the core of what black people experience in their own community and provides hope. The transitions between each page takes the reader on a journey into the life of the boy as he navigates his feelings.
Through all the pain and anger, he still has LOVE in his heart for everyone and everything and most importantly…himself.
It’s a perfect representation of what some black children experience and also provide a way to create discussions among them that may provide insights into how they feel.
We need to protect our children and allow a safe and free space for them to express their emotions.
AGE 4-8.
EARLY SUNDAY MORNING
EARLY SUNDAY MORNING by Denene Millner is about love, family, and community. It features a girl named June as she prepares for her choir solo at church on Sunday.
June loves to sing and does it every chance she gets, but she is a little scared of singing in front of an entire congregation.
People from the village give her tips on what she should do, such as pretending the congregation has watermelon heads. Though she’s jittery, she remembers her father’s advice about focusing on one thing to get the job done. He reassures her she would do great.
On Sunday as her family prepares for church, her father pretends he isn’t able to see her sing, but to her surprise, before she sings he burst through the door to cheer her on.
I was smiling through this entire book because it reminds me of my childhood growing up in the church and singing in the choir. The illustrations by my favorite illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton captures the entire essence of this book.
The food, the mood, and the nostalgia are a positive representation of a typical black family that people can relate to. AGE 4-8.
LET THE CHILDREN MARCH
LET THE CHILDREN MARCH by Monica Clark- Robinson is the story of the civil rights movement through the eyes of the children.
After being inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the children of Birmingham Alabama marched for justice and freedom.
They gathered on May 2nd with inspirational signs and marched, singing songs of hope.
Through arrests and taunts with water and dogs from police, they persevered and kept on marching, never giving up hope, and their actions inspired other children to keep marching.
This book is a powerful message of Hope, Unity created change for African American’s. The vivid life-like illustrations by Frank Morrison are captivating.
You are never too young to stand up for justice, peace and for change. AGE 5-10
WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS
WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS by Carole Lindstrom sends a powerful message of unity and strength. When the government tries to run pipelines through indigenous lands, the people unite to defend the earth they depend on for everything.
It features a motivated girl who rallies the villagers to stand against this company, who she refers to as a gigantic snake. Lindstrom outlines the sacredness of water to the people and the destruction the pipeline will cause.
Change can be great, but when it affects animals and the livelihood of people, then they should speak up against it.
The illustrations by Michaela Goade are vibrant, with purple and blue hues that capture the essence of the story.
Many companies sometimes take advantage and destroy people who they think might be weaker than them, but uniting for change makes a tremendous difference. AGE 4-8.
JUST ASK!
JUST ASK! by Sonia Sotomayor is by far the most INCLUSIVE book ever written. It’s a celebration of each child’s unique difference and how by simply asking questions one can make the world a better place.
In the book, Sonia and her friends are planting a garden and like in a garden, every flower and fruit are different, so is every child. It is extremely hard to read this book without crying because it features children from all walks of life.
The book celebrates the beauty of being different, and how being different can change how people view the world. This book is extremely important and should be in EVERY SINGLE HOME, whether you have children or not. Apart from the vibrant, exuberant and vivid illustrations by Rafael Lopez, there are so many things to love about this book. It encourages children, and people in general, to embrace diversity and individuality. I love that it portrayed and highlighted the strength of the children who some people might think are weak. I absolutely love that. THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF BEING DIFFERENT.
JUST ASK is the perfect book for teachers, educators and a great addition to our favorite book-list. Diversity makes the world interesting and fun. JUST ASK! AGE: 4-8
THE NIGHT IS YOURS
THE NIGHT IS YOURS by Abdul-Razak Zachariah is another one of our favorites for the year. It features a little girl named Amani who sets out to play with her friends before bedtime. As they jump rope and play double dutch, the light and people from the building’s apartments breathe rhythm and life into the night. They play hide-and-seek and Amani is “it” and with the help of the moonlight, she finds her friends.
This wonderful story is told by her father who looks out the window as she plays and exalts his daughter.
THE NIGHT IS YOURS is about strength and family and a community that unites to protect their children.
With illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo this book is fun and playful with vibrant colors of the night. AGE 3-8
HOME FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR
HOME FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR by Wei Jie and Xu Canis is a delightful story of family and love. Written in both English and Chinese, it features a little boy named Jaijun awaiting the return of his father on Chinese New Year.
His father works at a construction site and was very excited about going home after he got his ticket. When the time came to travel, there were so many people at the train station and everyone rushed.
This book showed the distance a father traveled to get home to see his son. First, by train, then a long-distance bus, followed by a three-wheel motorcycle, a ferryboat and on foot through heavy snow. Along the way, Jaijun’s father lost his water bottle, apple, and scarf, but he made sure to secured Jaijun’s New Year gift in his pocket.
It is a Chinese tradition for everyone to return home on New Year’s Eve to reunite with their family and enjoy a reunion dinner. No matter the circumstance, Jaijun’s father persevered and made it home in time, even though he had to leave soon after.
HOME FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR teaches perseverance and is full of hope and love and portrays the dedication a father has to his son and family. The illustrations are realistic and vibrant and capture the spirit of the entire story. AGE: 4-9
THE SEED OF COMPASSION
THE SEED OF COMPASSION by His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivers a valuable lesson in Compassion.
It features his life as a boy in Tibet and the lessons his mother taught him.
She taught him the importance of sharing and showing compassion to everyone around them. She raised him on a diet of love and always give to those less fortunate.
It shows his life as a Buddhist and the many lessons that the monks taught him. No matter how many lessons he learned, he always remembered the seed of compassion that his mother planted in him as a child.
The Dalai Lama has done many remarkable things, and we see his compassion throughout the world. This book is amazing and is a perfect example of what we need in the world today.
Anyone can learn to be compassionate, and this book teaches children that Compassion isn’t just giving goods but it’s also giving a genuine smile with a genuine heart.
The illustrations by Bao Luu are so realistic. It vibrant and sets the scene for the entire book. AGE: 6-12
SATURDAY
In SATURDAY by Oge Mora, Ava’s mom works all week, so Saturdays are the day she gets to spend the most time with her.
They plan to visit the library for storytime, then picnic at the park, salon time and later a puppet show at the theater. Ava couldn’t wait, but things don’t always go as planned. The library storytime was canceled, but they had a wonderful time at the salon, only to have their hairdo ruined by water from a passing car.
Determined to give Ava the best Saturday, they head to the park, but it was too loud, and she had forgotten the theater ticket, so there would be no puppet show either. Her mom was dismayed, thinking she ruined their Saturday. Finally, Ava reassured her that the day may have been ruined, but at least she got to spend it with her.
SATURDAY is a marvelous book about love and family and a special mother-daughter bond that can never be broken. The illustrations are extremely vibrant bright and guaranteed to be a favorite for working parents and single parents as well. AGE 6-9
ISLANDBORN
I love love love ISLANDBORN by Junot Díaz. Not only because it’s such a beautiful story, but the illustrations by Leo Espinosa are the best… ever! It’s full of color and definitely reminds you of the Islands.
In the book, Lola has to draw a picture that reminds her of the island she came from, but unlike the other children, she can’t seem to remember, so she sets out on a mission to find out everything about the island from her family and by asking people in her neighborhood.
You’ll be amazed at all the things Lola learned. From the music to the food to some beautiful moments in history and also some terrifying ones.
The book is completely relatable and absolutely relevant. It’s important to teach children about their ancestors and where they came from. Knowing your culture and heritage is beautiful.
Younger children will love the beautiful, vibrant pictures and older children will love reading it too. A must-have for every home. AGE 5-10
SULWE
In Academy Award Winner Lupita Nyongo’s debut children’s book called SULWE, she provides a memoir of her childhood and her experiences dealing with colorism.
In this powerful book, Sulwe has a darker complexion than everyone in her family and some kids at her school. Her sister has caramel skin and is called names like Sunshine and Beauty. Whereas, Sulwe is called names like Blackie, Darky and Night. This made Sulwe very sad because she felt secluded and alone.
Sulwe is one of those children’s books that every home should have, whether you’ve experienced colorism.
What we love most about this book, is that it makes it easier to speak to children about issues such as these. Children learn from what they hear and see and having a relatable story when explaining self-love and acceptance is necessary, especially when dealing with colorism.
Apart from the breathtaking illustrations by renowned illustrator Vashti Harrison, Sulwe encourages children to love themselves and to be happy in their own skin. AGE: 4-12
YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK
Jamia Wilson’s YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK, celebrates the life and achievements of 52 Black Hero’s who have greatly contributed to their country.
It not only features African American‘s but also Black people from many countries around the world. Some include Brian Lara from Trinidad and Tobago, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from Nigeria and Usain Bolt from Jamaica. Zoom in to view the Hall of Famers.
The book is literally full of Color(pun intended) due to the brilliant vibrancy of Andrea Pippins Illustrations.
Young, Gifted and Black is perfect for teaching diversity and great for parents and educators who want to introduce different cultures at an early age. AGE 6-10
MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE
Isabel Quintero’s MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE, features a girl named Daisy expecting her Papi from work.
He works hard all day, yet still has enough time to take her for a spin around the neighborhood on his motorcycle. As they ride, her papi smells like work and the dust from his hair and clothes leave a trail behind them. They explore the history of their neighborhood, like the supermarket and businesses old and new, and even get chased by dogs. They rode past murals that tell stories of immigrant workers and road races that happened long ago.
This book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, with illustrations by Zeke Peña that are vibrant and breathtaking.
Children will love this book because they get to ride along on the journey that’s full of history, culture and community. It’s perfect for little mechanics and children who love cars and bikes. Written in both Spanish and English and a dedication to her own father. How awesome is that? AGE 6-10
JUST LIKE ME
JUST LIKE ME by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is the most inclusive book of the year so far and features girls from all walks of life and their many attributes.
From country girls to city girls, shy girls to weird girls, they are all celebrated with beautiful poems on vividly illustrated canvas-like pages.
Among other things, each poem celebrates their strengths and promotes body positivity and self-acceptance.
JUST LIKE ME is about sisterhood, love, support, and everything that makes a girl unique.
Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s illustrations are always bright and vibrant, so it adorns each page with paintings that make girls feel welcomed and women feel nostalgic.
This poetic ode to girlhood is a guaranteed favorite for parents and educators and encourages self-love and is a true representation of girls everywhere. If you don’t have this book, you are truly missing out. AGE 6-10
EMMANUEL'S DREAM
EMMANUEL’S DREAM by Laurie Ann Thompson is the story of Ghanaian cyclist Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah.
Emmanuel was born with one deformed leg but it didn’t stop him from going to school and playing soccer with his friends or even riding a bike.
Though he had a rough childhood, his mother taught him to always reach for his dreams. He loved cycling and in 2001 decided to ride four hundred miles across Ghana in just 10 days, proving that you can still achieve your dreams even if you have disabilities.
Omg the illustrations by Sean Qualls are bright and realistic and the book is perfect for any child and sends a powerful message to children that one person is enough to make a difference and change the world. AGE:6-10
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