Mandel Library: 20 Children’s Picture Books To Read During Black History Month And Beyond

From the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach:

01/31/2021

Read By Our Children's Librarians

To celebrate Black History Month and beyond, Children’s Librarians Kristine, Danielle, and Jeanne present these stories honoring the accomplishments of African American artists, musicians, scientists, and voices. Visit our Black History Month virtual library where you can hear stories by clicking on each book! All the books are also available at the library.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

“Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building rooftop, the ‘tar beach’ of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem. Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one’s world by flying over it. A practical and stunningly beautiful book." – (starred) Horn Book

Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, A Young Artist in Harlem by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts

“Jake Makes a World follows the creative adventures of the young Jacob Lawrence as he finds inspiration in the vibrant colors and characters of his community in Harlem. From his mother's apartment, where he is surrounded by brightly colored walls with intricate patterns; to the streets full of familiar and not-so-familiar faces, sounds, rhythms, and smells; to the art studio where he goes each day after school to transform his everyday world on an epic scale, Jake takes readers on an enchanting journey through the bustling sights and sounds of his neighborhood.” – From the publisher

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

“Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Now, award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe's vivid text and bold artwork echoing Basquiat's own introduce young readers to the powerful message that art doesn't always have to be neat or clean--and definitely not inside the lines--to be beautiful.” – From the publisher

Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka

“The jazzy, rhythmic, bestselling picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Chris Raschka is just right for young kids who love to listen to the beat! Charlie Parker is swinging and spinning all over the pages, and Charlie's cat is waiting, waiting for him to come home. The infectious jazzy text is just right for young listeners.” – From the publisher

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed (Writer) and Stasia Burrington (Illustrator)

“Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space. This book will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars, to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination.” – From the publisher

Thank You Omu by Oge Mora

“Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu’s delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself? Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu’s stew, with an extra serving of love. An author’s note explains that “Omu” (pronounced AH-moo) means “queen” in the Igbo language of her parents, but growing up, she used it to mean “Grandma.” This book was inspired by the strong female role models in Oge Mora’s life.” – From the publisher

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes (Writer) and Gordon C. James (Illustrator)

“The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He’s got big plans, and no doubt he’ll see them through–as he’s creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he’s afraid, because he’s so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you–and shows you–who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!” – From the publisher

Read-Alongs on hoopla digital

You might know that hoopla digital provides a wide selection of ebooks for both kids and adults – with no holds and no waiting. But did you know that you can find read-along books? Books with read-along technology are perfect for emerging readers! Just hit "play" to have the book read to you while the text is highlighted. These are the featured read-along books on our virtual library:

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles (writer) and Jacqueline Alcántara (illustrator)

“Every year, Haitians all over the world ring in the new year by eating a special soup, a tradition dating back to the Haitian Revolution. This year, Ti Gran is teaching Belle how to make the soup — Freedom Soup — just like she was taught when she was a little girl. Together, they dance and clap as they prepare the holiday feast, and Ti Gran tells Belle about the history of the soup, the history of Belle’s family, and the history of Haiti, where Belle’s family is from. In this celebration of cultural traditions passed from one generation to the next, Jacqueline Alcántara’s lush illustrations bring to life both Belle’s story and the story of the Haitian Revolution. Tami Charles’s lyrical text, as accessible as it is sensory, makes for a tale that readers will enjoy to the last drop.” – From the publisher

A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream by Kristy Dempsey (Writer) and Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

“Little ballerinas have big dreams. Dreams of pirouettes and grande jetes, dreams of attending the best ballet schools and of dancing starring roles on stage. But in Harlem in the 1950s, dreams don’t always come true—they take a lot of work and a lot of hope. And sometimes hope is hard to come by. But the first African-American prima ballerina, Janet Collins, did make her dreams come true. And those dreams inspired ballerinas everywhere, showing them that the color of their skin couldn’t stop them from becoming a star. In a lyrical tale as beautiful as a dance en pointe, Kristy Dempsey and Floyd Cooper tell the story of one little ballerina who was inspired by Janet Collins to make her own dreams come true.” – From the publisher

A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley (Writer), Amy Nathan (Writer), and Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

“A Ride to Remember tells how a community came together—both black and white—to make a change. When Sharon Langley was born in the early 1960s, many amusement parks were segregated, and African-American families were not allowed entry. This book reveals how in the summer of 1963, due to demonstrations and public protests, the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland became desegregated and opened to all for the first time. Co-author Sharon Langley was the first African-American child to ride the carousel. This was on the same day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Langley’s ride to remember demonstrated the possibilities of King’s dream. This book includes photos of Sharon on the carousel, authors’ notes, a timeline, and a bibliography.” – From the publisher

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford (Writer) and Eric Velasquez (Illustrator)

“Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro–Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk’s life’s passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg’s collection became so big it began to overflow his house (and his wife threatened to mutiny), he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world.” – From the publisher

Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons (Writer) and Daniel Minter (Illustrator)

“Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do? Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text explores the power of history and family traditions, and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor- and Caldecott Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multi-generational family.” – From the publisher

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson (Writer) and Frank Morrison (Illustrator)

“In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. They protested the laws that kept black people separate from white people. Facing fear, hate, and danger, these children used their voices to change the world. Frank Morrison's emotive oil-on-canvas paintings bring this historical event to life, while Monica Clark-Robinson's moving and poetic words document this remarkable time.” – From the publisher

Magnificent Homespun Brown by Samara Cole Doyon (Writer) and Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator)

“Told by a succession of exuberant young narrators, Magnificent Homespun Brown is a story -- a song, a poem, a celebration -- about feeling at home in one’s own beloved skin. With vivid illustrations by Kaylani Juanita, Samara Cole Doyon sings a carol for the plenitude that surrounds us and the self each of us is meant to inhabit.” – From the publisher

Read by Celebrities

Seeking more read-aloud videos? The television series Bookmarks features Black celebrities and artists reading children's books by Black authors. The videos are available free without subscription on the Netflix Jr. YouTube page. You can also find these titles available in print or as ebooks on our catalog.

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi (Writer) and Ashley Lukashevsky (Illustrator)

“With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.” – From the publisher

I Am Enough by Grace Byers (Writer) and Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator)

“This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.” – From the publisher

Firebird: Ballerina Misty Copeland Shows a Young Girl How to Dance like the Firebird by Misty Copeland (Writer) and Christopher Myers (Illustrator)

“American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young ballet student, with brown skin like her own, by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful when she was starting out, and that some day, with practice and dedication, the little girl will become a firebird, too. Includes author's note about dancers who led her to find her voice.” – From the publisher

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o (Writer) and Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)

“Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.” – From the publisher

On cloudLibrary

cloudLibrary is your go-to app for brand-new ebooks – including bestsellers – as well as older favorites. Children’s Librarian Jin has curated a shelf of Black History Month titles for children. Here are two of the titles on the shelf:

That Is My Dream!: A Picture Book of Langston Hughes's "Dream Variation" by Langston Hughes and Daniel Miyares (Illustrator)

“‘Dream Variation,’ one of Langston Hughes's most celebrated poems, about the dream of a world free of discrimination and racial prejudice, is now a picture book stunningly illustrated by Daniel Miyares. An African-American boy faces the harsh reality of segregation and racial prejudice, but he dreams of a different life--one full of freedom, hope, and wild possibility, where he can fling his arms wide in the face of the sun.” – From the publisher

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander (Writer) and Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

“Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.” – From the publisher

This press release was produced by the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.