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: social studies picture book
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 […]
Sweet People Are Everywhere
Written by Alice Walker Illustrated by Quim Torres Reviewed by Miles Hartfelder Often in elementary classrooms, students only learn about other countries and the people who live there during geography or history lessons. While this book doesn’t dive into the distinct cultures of individual countries, it does provide an opportunity for students to expand their […]
Malala’s Magical Pencil
Written by Malala Yousafzai Illustrated by Kerascoet Reviewed by Jane Lyons This biography tells the story of Malala as a young girl growing up in Pakistan. The picture book begins with a simple question. Do you believe in Magic? Malala shares that she wished for a magical pencil to solve life’s problems when she was […]
Radiant Child : The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Written and Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe Reviewed by Mary Bishop Winner of the Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award, this wonderful picture book tells the story of Jean-Michel’s early life as an artist. Steptoe’s accolades are well deserved, his sparse and poetic word choice evoke the bold and alluring style of Basquiat himself. […]
ENOUGH! 20 Protesters Who Changed America
ENOUGH! 20 Protesters Who Changed America Written by Emilie Easton Illustrated by Ziyue Chen Reviewed by Jane Lyons This children’s book wonderfully illustrates historical and current protesters who have stood up to injustices in America. Emilie Easton’s inspiration for this story grew from her cousins who attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. […]
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Reviewed by Isabelle Grant. “When Dad went to a bank to borrow money to open a bookstore for black people, the banker said no. He said Dad could have a loan to sell fish and chips or […]
The Undefeated
The Undefeated By Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. The Undefeated is an illustrated poem that serves as “a love letter to black life in the United States.” The book begins by honoring the resiliency of Black Americans in the face of “unspeakable” tragedies since enslavement, then proclaiming the fierce bravery of activists who changed […]
Are there “good” Thanksgiving books?
You want to know about Native people? Do you really want to know about us? Or do you just need/want us so you can ‘do your thing’ (celebrate Thanksgiving)? You want me to tell you what I do for Thanksgiving. I understand that, but I think it more important that you ask about (in my case) the Pueblo people. Who are we? Where are we? What are OUR celebrations? When are they? What are they about? Debbie Reece
Rad Women Worldwide
Written by Kate Schatz and Illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl Rad Women Worldwide is a sequel to Rad American Women A-Z which features 26 different rad American women, one for each letter of the alphabet. In Rad Women Worldwide, the scope has been broadened. As author Kate Schatz writes in the book’s introduction, “think about […]