Library Program: Black Inventors

 This year at the library, we wanted to do something more than the usual displays for Black History Month. So, we decided to have a Take & Make Craft Bag each week featuring a craft of a Black invention. We included a mini biography of the inventor and how they created or improved the invention.

Here's a sample of our social media posting:

And the four crafts:

Traffic Light:

Elevator Doors: 

This one we created ourselves.

Potato Chips:

Roller Coaster (invention the 3rd rail)

It was just a different way for us to highlight Black History Month.

And I should have kept it up and did the same for Women's History Month and AAPI month....

Picture Book Wednesday: Black History Month

 

February is Black History Month, but honestly, these books should be read year around.

Today I'm talking about books celebrating the joy and happiness in every day life within the Black culture.

Four Friends, Four Hair Styles.

This is a gorgeously illustrated board book about four friends having fun after getting ready for the day. 

A must have for your library's collection!

* sent for review

Henley doesn't like reading. When a teacher gives an assignment to bring in favorite books, he doesn't know what to do. He asks for help but no one can find him the perfect books. 

A great story about reading and finding your favorite book. I love the message before the story about how reading takes practice and hard work. 

This one is great for early elementary school readers. 

* won a copy

A child spends the day with her mother. And even though it's raining, they make the day bright.

A very sweet story about family and being together. 

* sent for review

This book celebrates the Dominican Republic with bright colors and cultural ideas. 

Another great book for your collection that shares so much with the concept of colors.

* Sent for review

When the sun goes down, a family takes special care of their hair. But the little girl can't find her bedtime bonnet.

A funny and sweet family story that centers around hair maintenance.  This celebration story is perfect for school and public libraries.

Review: Little Leaders

Mini biographies of 40 African American Women who broke boundaries and achieved greatness.

There's a mix of women everyone's heard of and some lesser known (but no less important) women.

My Thoughts: I adored this book - for the variety of women and the knowledge it shared. But mostly I loved it for the art work. Vashti Harrison art work is stunning. I can't wait to see what she does next and I'm so happy more Little Leader books are in the works.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries!

Picture Book Review: Maya Angelou

A short biography of Maya Angelou which talked about her happiness with books and words. Especially after she overcame her troubled childhood. The fun illustrations make the story pop with a smart successful woman who has dreams and hopes for both herself and the world. This is a great early biography for readers. Grab this one for your school and public libraries.