Black Lives Matter. Stories to share with young readers birth through second grade.
Bedtime bonnet
Nancy Amanda Redd
jE/Redd
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter, Diverse Characters
As family members braid, brush, twirl, roll, and tighten their hair before bedtime, putting on kerchiefs, wave caps, and other protective items, the little sister cannot find her bonnet.
Crown : an ode to the fresh cut
Derrick D. Barnes
jE Barnes
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair.
The roots of rap : 16 bars on the 4 pillars of hip-hop
Carole Boston Weatherford
jE Weatherford
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter, Black History
Presents the history of hip-hop including how it evolved from folktales, spirituals, and poetry, to the showmanship of James Brown, to the culture of graffiti art and breakdancing that formed around the art form.
Black is a rainbow color
Angela Joy
jE Joy
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on"--
Hey black child
Useni Eugene Perkins
jE Perkins
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"A lyrical, empowering poem that celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young ones to dream big and achieve their goals"--
That is my dream! : a picture book of Langston Hughes's "Dream variation"
Langston Hughes
jE Hughes
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"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"--
In your hands
Carole Boston Weatherford
jE Weatherf
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"A prayer from mother to son that he will always in safe hands"--
The King of Kindergarten
Derrick D. Barnes
jE/Barnes
Picture Books
Instilled with confidence by his parents, a young boy has a great first day of kindergarten.
The youngest marcher : the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a young civil rights activist
Cynthia Levinson
jE Levinson
Picture Books, Black History, Black Lives Matter
Presents the life of nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks who became the youngest known child to be arrested for picketing against Birmingham segregation practices in 1963.
Overground railroad
Lesa Cline-Ransome
jE Cline-Ransome
Picture Books, Black History, Black Lives Matter
"A girl named Ruth Anne tells the story of her family's train journey from North Carolina to New York City as part of the Great Migration"--
A girl like me
Angela Johnson
jE Johnson
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"Empower young readers to embrace their individuality, reject societal limitations, and follow their dreams. This inspiring picture book brings together a poem by acclaimed author Angela Johnson and Nina Crews's distinctive photocollage illustrations to celebrate girls of color" --
I am enough
Grace Byers
jE Byers
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another.
The undefeated
Kwame Alexander
eBOOK
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter, Black History
"The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree"--
Magnificent homespun brown : a celebration
Samara Cole Doyon
jE Doyon
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
Joyful young narrators celebrate feeling at home in one's own skin.
Cool cuts
Mechal Renee Roe
jE Roe
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"An illustrated, joyful celebration of African-American boys' hairstyles"--
Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO
Tamara Pizzoli
jE Pizzoli
Picture Books
Tallulah the Tooth Fairy, a black businesswoman who runs one of the most successful tooth collecting organizations in the world, finds herself unexpectedly stumped when six-year-old Ballard Burchell leaves a note instead of his tooth under his pillow.
Lift every voice and sing : a celebration of the African American national anthem
James Weldon Johnson
jE Johnson
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter, Black History
An illustrated version of the song written by civil rights leader and poet James Weldon Johnson in 1899 that has come to be considered the African American national anthem.
Baby says
John Steptoe
jBOARD BOOK Steptoe
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
A baby and big brother figure out how to get along.
This is the rope : a story from the Great Migration
Jacqueline Woodson
jE Woodson
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter, Black History
A rope passed down through the generations frames an African American family's story as they journey north during the time of the Great Migration.
Hair, it's a family affair!
Mylo Freeman
jE Freeman
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
Join Macy as she describes her family and their hairstyles, from Afros to purple hair.
Brown baby lullaby
Tameka Fryer Brown
eBOOK
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
An illustrated lullaby featuring a busy, independent, beloved brown baby being prepared for bedtime.
I am a super girl!
Kelly Greenawalt
eBOOK
Early Readers
In rhyming text Princess Truly, super girl, uses her super powers to help her friend Lizzie celebrate her cat's first birthday, and when things go a little wrong, she gives Lizzie the confidence to believe that she too is a super girl.
Don't touch my hair!
Sharee Miller
eBOOK
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
Aria loves her soft and bouncy hair, but must go to extremes to avoid people who touch it without permission until, finally, she speaks up. Includes author's note.
Lola gets a cat
Anna McQuinn
jE Mcquinn
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter, Diverse Characters, Animals
More than anything Lola would like a cat, but first she must learn how to care for it.
I love the Lola and Leo books by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw. The books in these two series are always the perfect size and length for lap or small group sharing with toddlers.
- Casey
Big Papa and the time machine
Daniel Bernstrom
jE Bernstro
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
Discover the true meaning of being brave in this tender and whimsical picture book from Daniel Bernstrom (One Day in the Eucalytus, Eucalyptus Tree) and Shane Evans (Chocolate Me!) that follows a grandfather and grandson who travel through time in a beloved 1952 Ford.
Benny doesn't like to be hugged
Zetta Elliott
jE Elliott
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"A little girl uses rhyming verse to describe the unique traits of her autistic friend."--Back cover.
Firebird
Misty Copeland
jE Copeland
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
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.
Knock knock : my dad's dream for me
Daniel Beaty
jE Beaty
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
"A boy wakes up one morning to find his father gone. At first, he feels lost. But his father has left him a letter filled with advice to guide him through the times he cannot be there"--
Farmer Will Allen and the growing table
Jacqueline Briggs Martin
jE Martin
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
The story of former basketball star and current urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, whose vision of gardening from abandoned urban sites led to a grassroots feeding craze.
Max and the tag-along moon
Floyd Cooper
jE Cooper
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
When Max leaves his grandfather's house, the moon follows him all the way home, just as Grandpa promised it would.
Sulwe
Lupita Nyong'o
jE Nyongo
Picture Books, Black Lives Matter
When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.
I can't wait to see this one when it gets in!
- Casey