Fannie Lou Hamer is a historical figure that I wish would get more attention. She was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, fighting for voting rights. Hamer doesn’t get enough credit for the role she played in American politics. Her fight to have her voice be heard was legendary. Full of Informative Imagery […]
Review: They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom by Lesa Cline-Ransome; illustrated by James E. Ransome What better way for a Black Book Influencer to kick off Black History Month than with a book that shares the history of why reading and literacy is so important? Told from the point of view of a young […]
Celebrate Juneteenth and support a young chef, entrepreneur and food justice advocate, Michael Platt. I first became aware of Michael Platt via his book, Michaels Desserts: Sweets for a Cause. It is a cookbook for both aspiring bakers and food advocates. “Michael is the founder of PLLATE, an initiative that creates snack packs for kids […]
Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King written by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds is a wonderful new picture book that will quickly become a Black History classic. This children’s book is pulled from her adult memoir, Coretta: My Life, My Legacy, My Love. The book takes you from Coretta’s […]
We Could Fly by Rhiannon Giddens is a companion to her last book Build a House. We Could Fly is a lyrical conversation between a mother and daughter. Their dialogue is musical like a Negro spiritual and has an ancestral connection. We Could Fly also speaks to the ongoing search for freedom that African-Americans experience […]
Have you ever wanted to engage in reading time with your child where you both read something about the same topic but in a book that on each of your own levels? This week I have put together a book pairing based on the life of Black Fashion Designer Ann Lowe. Parent-Child Book Pairings are […]
Build a House by Rhiannon Giddens and illustrated by Monica Mikai is a lyrical book about the triumphs and tribulations embedded in the history of Black people in the United States. The story illustrates the journey of a family from when they are enslaved to when they are freed and then to the challenges they face once they […]
We Are Here by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier is a beautiful celebration of Black joy and accomplishment through history. The lyrical style of the book lends itself to a beautiful read aloud. I love the musical catch phrases, like “cool like that!” that are spread throughout the book. It made it fun […]
It took me a while for me to write this review. I actually finished How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America this summer. But when I finished it I just had to sit with it for a while and sort through my thoughts and emotions that came from […]
Review: The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez and illustrated by Lauren Semmer is a colorful alphabet book that is packed with history from A to Z. It begins with the Black National Anthem and mentions movements like the Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights along with figures like Ruby Bridges, Jean […]