Picture Book Review: Do You Know Them

 

While this book shares an important piece of Black history, it's important to acknowledge these stories year round and not just in February. 

Lottie lost track of her family. They had been sold before the end of the war. Now she's desperate to find them. She works all the odd jobs she can to save money for an advertisement in the newspaper. She's hoping that someone will know where they are.

This is a heartbreaking story with lovely illustrations, but it's so powerful and important to read. Lottie is an inspiration in a dark time. She's determined and she gives others hope. There's nothing more powerful that hope. This is an important book to share with readers. 

* This book was sent for review

This is a must have picture book for your library's collection.

Picture Book Wednesday: Black Experience

Again, these books are great for Black History Month and also all year round. 

One family work together to serve the last stand at the farmer's market. All the other stands have closed. But one day, Papa is too tired to make it. The first week, the boy makes a mess of things. But the second week, he starts to problem solve. The community comes together to support the stand and the family.

This is a sweet story about community, farms, and trying to make it. The author's note is touching and eye opening. 

A grandmother and her granddaughter share love that shines bright and that love crosses the universe. 

I love how the pair go through seasons together. While this book doesn't have many words, it pacts a powerful punch in terms of the message. Family love is always there and strong. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous.  

*This book was sent for review 

After work, Roy DeCarava would travel the streets of Harlem looking for beauty. When he would it, he would snap a picture. 

There is a great message here about beauty catching someone's eye, the truth catching someone's eye and a moment captured forever. Roy DeCarava captured these moments and became a famous photographer with photos from everyday life. This book inspires me both to look at the world a little differently and also to research his photographs. 

Couple walking, Park Avenue, 1960 (Credit: Estate of Roy DeCarava. Courtesy David Zwirner)

I Can Read Book:

Parker is having a hard day, which comes with BIG feelings. She needs some time to herself to calm her feelings. 

I love how Parker and her mom come up with ideas to make her feel better. There's an end note that talks about feelings and how to help yourself clam down.

**This book was sent for review 

After a trip to a museum where they talk about Martin Luther King Jr., the class talks about their big deals. 

This is an inspiring read. The kids had lovely dreams; we need to find a way to make those dreams come true. 

*** This book was sent for review 

Picture Book Review: Black Biographies

 

Just a few books perfect for Black History Month:

Obviously, these books are perfect all year round. I love reading picture books biographies because I was not familiar with many of these important figures. 

Ernie could speak through his art, but he football gave him a career. He kept sketching, even though his coach wasn't a fan. He became an official artist for the AFL. 

I love that he did both - playing football and creating art. 

Zelda Jackson was an artist who wrote and drew for the Pittsburgh Courier. She created comic strips that pushed boundaries. She used her pen to make statements.

I love how she made her statements in the press. She pushed back on racism and shares hope. 

A biography of the great poet Langston Hughes. I enjoyed learning more about him. My favorite of his poems is Mother to Son. I read that in middle school and it's stayed with me. 

Eunice Johnson grew up with style. She used that love of style to create her own fashion. She and her husband created a magazine - including EBONY. There Eunice used her love of fashion to create fashion spreads and fashion shows. The money raised helped Black organizations and raise awareness. An amazing look at this magnificent woman. 

Toni Morrison listened, learned the stories, and then shared them. I love that she had a library job but got lost in the words of the book and had to get a different job. She wrote her history and the history of her people. She shared her stories. 

Mae Reeves designed and created clothes for her dolls. She traveled North where she learned how to make hats. Black ladies wore hats as a chance to be seen. Mae created those hats; first in another shop and then in her own shop. She had loyal followers who traveled with her when she moved shops. Famous ladies: Marian Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horn all wore her hats. She helped Black organizations and the neighborhoods dream for better places.

Picture Book Wednesday: Black History Month

 

These books are picture book biographies that are perfect all year round - but especially for Black History Month. 

A young girl isn't sure of her family tree which she's creating for a school project. Her grandmother shares the history of slavery and Black America.

Wow, this is a powerful book. I love how the poems spoke about pride, shared knowledge, and survival. A beautiful book that should be in every school and public library.

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly's skill with the needle made a huge difference in her life. She bought her freedom from slavery with her skills and she created dresses for the First Lady. 

This book positioned the horror of slavery next to hope. Obviously, this story ended well, which makes this a great discussion topic. I loved the illustrations as some pieces looked like stitches and fabric. Another great book for public libraries and schools. 

Opal Lee shares the story of Juneteenth with her great-grandson and his friends. She talks about the first celebration, and she talks about the celebrations from her childhood. Both inspired her to help the day become a National Holiday.

I loved how this book shared the past moments in history with storytelling. A great book about the history and celebration of this holiday. Another great book for sharing in schools and public libraries.

* This book also includes a recipe for Red Punch and a timeline of Juneteenth 

Elijah Cummings knew the world wasn't fair from a young age and he wanted to do something about it. So he did, but it wasn't always easy and his parents helped instill lessons in him that he would always remember. 

I admired the Congressman and enjoyed learning about his childhood. Of course I loved how the library brought him a sense of peace and quiet. But I also loved how the Congressman kept his roots and always wanted to make a better world for people. This is an important biography for school and public libraries. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Black History Month

 

It's Black History Month!

We're talking about picture books with Black main characters. Last week, we talked about books celebrating Black Joy.

This week we're talking about nonfiction picture books and some nonfiction books. These are great books for the entire year, not just in February. 

I bought a bunch of nonfiction biographies for the library and they haven't come in yet, But be on the lookout for those on the blog later. 

Picture Books:

This book starts with an empowering quote and finishes with a glossary of important terms and people mentioned in the alphabet. With the bold colors and important information, this book is a must have for schools and public libraries.

If you're a basketball fan, you wan to read this picture book about the Harlem Globetrotters. They changed the game of basketball because they weren't allowed to play in the white leagues. 

I've talked about this book previously but it's worth another mention. Simon Biles is one of my favorite athletes and this book was so inspiring. 

This beautifully illustrated book about Aretha Franklin says a lot without many words. I love how it spells out the main sentiment on the page. It's impossible to read this book with out hearing the song in your head. 

This one made me cry. Tired of not being able to vote and not having a say in the community matters, Reverend F.D. Reese organized a march full of teachers and professionals. He wanted the country to take notice. He wanted to bring attention to the need for voting rights for Black people. And he did.

Nonfiction:

A short biography of Thurgood Marshall that's the perfect introduction to this great lawyer. This book is full of information accompanied by wonderful pictures.

I'm so glad I purchased this book for the library. It's important to have modern day heroes alongside historical heroes. I love that Lizzo shares her love for her body and herself. I really enjoyed learning more about this impressive singer.

Part of the Who Was series...this new series with the orange banner is about people still living - and these books are about half the length of the other books in the series. I really liked learning a little bit more about our current Vice President. 

This book talks about 25 historical marches; these marches reach across cultures and races. The marches raise important issues that should be in the history books. There are marches I was unfamiliar with, some introduced in this book and some like the Capital Crawl I learned about recently. We can all learn from the past.

* Sent for review