In Daddy’s Arms I AM TALL: African Americans Celebrating Fathers
Illustrated By: Javanka Steptoe
“When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him.”
– Ashanti Proverb
This book is a mass collaboration of poems written by 12 different authors. Each poem takes a different approach in talking about fathers, but they all highlight the importance of a father’s presence. Every illustration provides the necessary visuals to bring each written piece to life for the reader. Unfortunately, the narrative that has been written for African-American fathers in America has not been of positive discourse and that has to change… particularly because there has been little to no efforts in showing the other side. What is the other side you ask? Well the one that consists of Black fathers who exemplify everything in this book: supportive, loving, hard-working, compassionate, reliable, and the strongest people we know. That is who I know. That is my brother, your brother, your dad, cousin, uncle etc. Today, I am happy to see social media pages who’ve taken on the task to appropriately celebrate our fathers, and I am even more touched to see movements like The Black Man Can –which focuses on educating, inspiring, and celebrating boys and men of color. See more here: www.theblackmancan.org.
Jamaica Louise James
By: Amy Hest
Illustrated By: Sheila White Samton
Okay, so first off can we talk about what a DOPE name this little girl has!? It was the first thing I saw and of course her stylish apparel. Jamaica is an 8-year-old artist who enjoys drawing the many things she sees along the New York City streets. On her birthday, her mom and grandma gift her with a paint set and she is ecstatic. Her grandma works down in the subway station on 86th and Main veerrryyy early in the morning, and sometimes Jamaica peers out her window and watches her go down the steps to the underground world. One thing she can’t stand is how lifeless and bland the walls are down in the subway station… so she has a very special idea of how she can spice things up! This story is playful, colorful, and inspiring. It demonstrates the importance of nurturing children’s gifts and giving them the freedom to be creative and think for themselves. You feel the passion Jamaica has for art in every page of this book, and her close-knit family reminds us of our own. A fun and humorous read that will instantly stimulate imagination.
We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song
By: Debbie Levy
Illustrated By: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
They started to protest.
They brought a church song, “I Will Overcome”, to the streets.
But since they were marching and working together, they sang “WE will Overcome.”
We, together, will overcome.
This book tells of the history of a song we all should know, We Shall Overcome. This song stood as the anthem during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, yet dates all the way back to slavery. During the slavery era, our people had nothing to call their own –except their song. With each day, they endured more and more cruelty and oppression… but they still sang. There is something really special about music and singing that can release a multitude of emotion and speak for us when we cannot. Not surprisingly, this song reached all across the world to other countries where people were faced with adversities. This song has not only crossed borders, but also color, creed, race, and religion. While it stands as the foundation hymn for African Americans in their fight for equality, it also serves as an invitation to all people of all backgrounds to join in on the fight. We are always stronger together and every link matters… this book conveys that exact message.
Our Children Can Soar
By: Michelle Cook
“It is a story for everyone. For it is on the backs of our ancestors that every child is raised.”
George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens, Hattie McDaniel, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Barack Obama are all featured as the Pioneers of Change in this book. It is so important for children to be aware of the history of their people and how far we’ve come. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the scholar and historian called “the Father of Black History,” once said “those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” It’s almost like not knowing who your family is… who you are, why you are the way you are, why you do things the way you do, why you LOOK the way you do. Family ties tell us a lot about ourselves whether we like it or not, and furthermore, so do our ancestors. Personally, being aware of the struggle people of both my race and ethnicity (Haitian) have experienced, gives me the motivation to be my best self every. single. day. I am encouraged to be a positive example and mentor for the next generation of black children. Our children can soar, and they WILL soar, as long as we equip them with the knowledge and tools to do so. An inspiring and hopeful read.
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story of the Underground Railroad
By: Ellen Levine
Illustrated By: Kadir Nelson
Caldecott Honor Book
“Henry Brown wasn’t sure how old he was.
Henry was a slave.
And slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays.”
WOW. WOW. WOWWWWWW!! Do you know about the story of Henry “Box” Brown!? The man who MAILED himself to freedom! Well, if you don’t I suggest you read this book. I never heard of this man prior to reading this book and I am honestly sitting here wondering how this got past me. This is a true story about a man born into slavery who loses everything he loves, and immediately makes a radical decision to ship himself to freedom by traveling in a wooden box. Your eyes will be glued to each page as the story unfolds and you will probably finish the book sooner than you expect because it’s just THAT GOOD, but please don’t rush through it! It makes you think… the amount of persecution and abuse slaves faced must have been unimaginable, to the extent that they desired to be birds, whom –at times flew aimlessly– but still flew freely. Freedom was the answer and Henry knew that in order to get it, he had to potentially risk his life in the process. In life, sometimes we have to put ourselves in uncomfortable positions to achieve great things. This story calls attention to the ambition and conviction that Henry possessed –which also lives within us.
There is no doubt that we are all aware of the impact Dr. King has made on our nation. He envisioned a better future for his children, and he fought for it without hesitation. What excites you the most? What gets you up in the morning? What is it that makes you look forward to a new day, a new year, your future? This book brings all of this to a personal level and states how, you too, can be King. It encourages readers to acknowledge their own unique gifts, and use them to positively impact our world. It reminds us to, “keep the faith, know that bigotry hurts, learn as much as you can, march to your own conscience.” We don’t have to conform to what society currently praises, no. We should be embodying everything that we already ARE. Let’s raise up the next generation of Martins and Rosas… although times have changed we still have something to fight for, right?
Chiilleeee, this book is going to have you grinning ear to ear. The story has such a classic and timeless feel to it. Kameeka is the beautiful black girl on this book’s cover who plans on beating her main competitor, Jamara, at a hula-hooping contest so she can become The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th street. Unfortunately, Kameeka finds herself in some trouble when she can no longer face-off with Jamara because of an important birthday party she has to plan… will she ever find the time to earn the special title? Another story based in Harlem, New York! YASSS, and you get all the feels of community, family, laughter, fun… all things that make for the most memorable childhood experiences. The intensity of Black culture is also ALL OVER this book. Our beauty (from young to old), our language, our fashion, our forever-young spirits, and most importantly our love. This is a book I especially enjoyed… yes, I was a hula-hooper myself ; ).
Tears flowed as I read this. While I am not a parent yet, I am an aunt and we just LOVE our nieces, nephews, cousins, siblings, we love our children unconditionally. The pain that a parent must feel knowing they cannot help their child in a situation where they may not be able to fend for themselves… unbearable. This tells the true historical events of The Children’s Crusade March of Birmingham, Alabama in May 1963. After Dr. King urges folks to fight for their freedom and march, a number of adults expressed their fears of losing their jobs… so the children stepped in. Dr. King proclaimed, “Let the children march. They will lead the way.” May 2nd was the beginning of 8 consecutive days of marching. Children were attacked by dogs, hoses, people, and thousands were imprisoned. On May 10th, Dr. King was able to reach an agreement with city leaders to begin the process of desegregation in Birmingham. The children’s resilience and energy, led to a great victory. This book makes you think about the things you might hold the little people in your life back from… let them lead. Children have the power to change the world, we just need to trust them with it.
This book has such a fun-loving, upbeat, and SWAGGED out feel to it! And the illustrations are dope, having been done in collage and oil on pallete paper. It all JUMPS out right at you and I love it! It also has very humorous aspects that made me chuckle a number of times as I flipped through the pages. You watch all of the different ways Jomar and his brother Franklin say hello to people in their neighborhood. Then, you hear how Jomar says hello to Grandpa, haha! Who sets that boy straight. Another book set in the concrete jungle of New York City, the cool vibes of the Hip-Hop influenced culture spews out in every part of this book. Different places and activities commonly seen in urban neighborhoods are also represented in this book; from the infamous Spanish Bodega, to B-boys break dancing on the side walk. This is an awesome book for a little black boy or girl! Who lives in or is familiar with the culture of an urban city, as the images and language used in this book easily mirrors people and places within these cities. Being able to have real life examples and books representative of personal life experiences are invaluable resources for children to have when building literacy skills. If you’re looking for a quick, hip, easy, and fun read –Yo, Jo is the way to go, go!
This book tells of the triumphant life of Raven Wilkinson, the first African-American ballerina to ever dance with a major American touring troupe. Misty Copeland regards Ms. Wilkinson as her inspiration, as she helped pave the way for many Black ballerinas. Although very fair-skinned, Raven did not always go below the radar and encountered threatening incidents, simply from being a member of an all-white troupe. In the foreword, Misty states, “the lack of diversity and representation in classical ballet is an ongoing issue,” as is in a number of other sports. One that immediately comes to mind is Tennis, where trailblazing sisters Venus and Serena Williams have unapologetically brought every part of their Blackness onto those courts with them (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON). I’m grateful Raven Wilkinson’s story is being told, as I had never heard of her until I discovered this book. There’s a quote that says, “You cannot BE what you have not SEEN.” It becomes this collective victory for our people when someone Black makes history because then it becomes OUR history, and then it sparks the next generation to MAKE history. This is a beautiful and inspiring book for your aspiring ballerina.
sweetSARendipity 