Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake Reviewed by Alisun Meet Hazel Bly. Hazel watches her little sister Peach like a hawk, doesn’t like risk or danger, and carries a first aid kit with her wherever she goes. Hazel suffers from crippling anxiety and worry. This is made painfully clear in […]
Let the Children March
By Monica Clark-Robinson Illustrated by Frank Morrison Reviewed by Mary Bishop This wonderful children’s story has me wondering, “where was this material when I was growing up?” Teaching the Civil Rights Movement by relaying the biographies of singular heroes has its merits, but showing how children, the brave and uncredited many, were a pivotal part […]
Mae Among the Stars
Mae Among the Stars written by Roda Ahmed Illustrated by Stasia Burrington Reviewed by Jane Lyons (MAT 2022) Mae Among the Stars is a historical fiction picture book inspired by Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space. The story begins with Mae as a little girl. She was working on an assignment for school […]
The ABCs of Black History
Written by Rio Cortez Illustrated by Lauren Semmer Reviewed by Emily Richardson “M is for march, for lifting our feet, taking the movement, the cause to the street. Black lives matter. Every breath, every dream – Every thought, each idea, each impossible scheme. The might of our message is easy to hear: The drumbeat of […]
Town Is by the Sea
Written by Joanne Schwartz Illustrated by Sydney Smith Reviewed by Lindsey Smith It’s hard to find good children’s books about working class people. Sí Se Puede by Diana Cohn and A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams come to mind of course, but they’re lonely exemplars in a sparse field. Town Is by the Sea […]
Black is a Rainbow Color
Written by Angela Joy Illustrated by Ekua Holmes Reviewed by Miles Hartfelder Black history is rich, vibrant, and filled with heroes. Famous figures intermingle with famous movements and describe a story of a marginalized population persevering through deep injustice. With this book, Black is a Rainbow Color, the Black experience is retold in powerful poetry […]
Under The Same Sun
Under The Same Sun Written by Sharon Robinson and illustrated by AG Ford Reviewed by Lucie Wharton-Moeur Early Elementary Picturebook The book Under The Same Sun is a beautiful story about an extended family living on separate continents. According to the author’s note, the story is based on the author’s lived family experience. The story […]
Many Shapes of Clay, A Story of Healing
Written and Illustrated by Kenesha Sneed Reviewed by Melody Falleur-Fettig (2021-2022) A picture book provides many avenues to access the content. The images, ideas, and written words are carefully tailored by an author to tell their story. The book, Many Shapes of Clay, a Story of Healing, is a master work of meaning integrated delicately […]
Born on the Water
Authors: Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renèe Watson Illustrator: Nikkolas Smith Reviewed by: Erin Healy This story is powerful. A part of the 1619 Project, this book tells the origin story of Black Americans from Ndongo before they were enslaved. We see people who had full, rich lives. Who had knowledge and culture and joy. Until one […]
Black Lives Matter
Written by Duchess Harris Reviewed by Sofia Puorro It can be challenging for elementary school teachers to find books that dig into heavy topics such as systemic racism and oppression without being overly simplified, White-washed, or in service of promoting color-blindness. However, Duchess Harris, the author of many racial justice centered books, has managed to […]