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 […]
Tag: #hard history
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 […]
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 […]
When We Were Alone
Written by David A. Robertson Illustrated by Julie Flett Reviewed by Lindsey Smith Why does the child’s grandmother wear such colorful clothes? Why is her hair so long? Why does she spend so much time with her brother? Why does she sometimes speak Cree? In this simple yet haunting dialogue between a child and grandmother, […]
Fatty Legs
Written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton Illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes “This book is a rare book” proclaims the first line of the foreword in this book. And it is. Fatty Legs is the true story of an Inuit girl, Olemaun (or Margaret) who leaves her home in the Arctic Circle to attend a […]
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
The Undefeated written by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Reviewed by Isabelle Grant. “This is for the underdogs and the uncertain, the Unspoken but no longer untitled” The Undefeated is an illustrated poem honoring the incredible strength of the African American community. With sharp, smooth prose alongside masterful, oil painted illustrations, The Undefeated […]