Girls

Meet Rocket–a plucky aspiring astronaut intent on getting her community to LOOK UP! from what they’re doing and reach for the stars in this auspicious debut picture book. Honored as a Chicago Public Library 2019 Best of the Best Book!

A comet will be visible tonight,…

In the spirit of Come With Me, this timely and charming tale about mask-wearing follows a little girl and her generous plan to find her own courage by helping those in her neighborhood find theirs.

In a changing world, little Sophie is feeling a bit worried.…

Dr. Winmilawe (A) and Tewodross Merchishua (ILT)

List Price: $11.99 (Paperback – Yoruba / Friendship / Character – 2012)

From the ancient stories of the West African Yoruba people comes the colorful children’s picture book “Obatala’s Daughter Discovers True Friends”. Obatala encourages his daughter Kemi to look for friends with good character.…

Anna McQuinn (A) and Rosalind Beardshaw (ILT)

List Price $16.99 (Hardcover / Lola Series / Caring For A Pet – 2017)

Lola wants a cat, but Mommy says taking care of a pet is a lot of work. So Lola does her homework. At the library she finds books about cats and pet…

From two bestselling creators comes a lyrical and heartfelt picture book about a multiracial family’s trip to the beach that’s an ode to family, community, diversity, and—most importantly—fabulous beach hair!

When I wake up with the wildest bed head
and Mommy and Daddy do too
Mommy says we all…

A timely picture book biography about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination to be the president of the United States.

Shirley Chisholm famously said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” This dynamic biography illuminates how Chisholm was a doer,…

Sadia Faruqi (A) and Hatem Aly (ILT) 

List Price: $7.99 (Paperback – Explorer Girl – 2019) 

Every explorer needs a map! Baba encourages Yasmin to make one of her own.  But when Yasmin loses sight of Mama at the farmer’s market, can her map bring them back together? (32 pgs) Ages 5-8

From beloved African American folklorist Zora Neale Hurston comes a moving adaptation by National Book Award winner and #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist and Antiracist Baby, Ibram X. Kendi. 

Magnolia Flower follows…

A moving tribute to the joy and grounding that fathers bring to their children’s lives.

What does a daddy do? From day one, this daddy speaks love to his little one. And along with that love, his words and actions speak many other things, too: like truth, joy, comfort,…

For me, brown is more than feeling proud.
It’s the color I see when I see me.

Zahra sees the world in vivid color. When she’s happy, she feels a razzle-dazzle pink in her hands. When she’s sad, she feels a deep blue behind her eyes. But she isn’t quite sure how…

Sasha Ariel Alston (A) and Vanessa Newton Brantley

List Price: $14.99 (Hardcover – STEM/ Tween / Learns to Code- 2017)

Selected for the 2018 Girls of Summer Reading List
Sasha Savvy Loves to Code is an early reader chapter book (ages 7-10). The main character, Sasha Savvy, is a super smart 10-year old…

Penned by the very first Crayon Activist, Bellen Woodard, this picture book will tug at readers’ heartstrings and inspire them to make a difference!

When Bellen Woodard’s classmates referred to “the skin-color” crayon, in a school and classroom she had always loved, she knew just how important it was that everyone understood that “skin…

From Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind She Persisted, comes a new book featuring women athletes who overcame and inspired–just in time for the Olympics!

Throughout history, women have been told that they couldn’t achieve…

Edwidge Danticat (A) and Shannon Whright

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Mother’s Loving Care – 2019)

My Mommy Medicine is a picture book about the comfort and love a mama offers when her child isn’t feeling well, from renowned author Edwidge Danticat.

Whenever I am sick,
Or just feel kind of gloomy or sad,
I…

From bestselling, award-winning creators Renée Watson and Bryan Collier comes a stunningly crafted picture book chronicling the life of poet and activist Maya Angelou.

This unforgettable picture book introduces young readers to the life and work of Maya Angelou, whose words have uplifted and inspired generations of readers. The author…

Bursting with inspiration and affirmation, Kheris Rogers’ debut picture book encourages children everywhere to love the skin they are in.

When her confidence is shaken by peers who say they are scared of her because she’s “too dark,” Imani turns to her sister for a loving reminder that she’s <span class="a-text-italic"…

Mary Hoffman (A)

List Price: $5.99 (Paperback – Friendship / Grief and Loss – 2112)

The spirited little girl with a big imagination who stars in Amazing Grace has two fun chapter books! In Encore, Grace!, when Grace’s family and group of friends change, Grace turns to her imagination to cope with things…

Alice Walker (A) and Queenbe Monyei (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Poetry – 2022)

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and activist Alice Walker invites readers young and old to see the world—and our place in it—through new eyes in this new edition featuring art from Queenbe Monyei.

With beautifully poetic…

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Mariame Kaba (A) & Bria Royal (ILT)

List Price: $18.95 (Hardcover – Missing Father – 2019)

“This book is a crucial tool for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the well-being of children who, through no fault of their own, are forced to bear the consequences of our country’s obsession with incarceration.…

Winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award!

In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother–whose face bears traditional tribal markings–to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school!

It is Grandparents Day at Zura’s elementary school, and the…

Cozbi Cabera (A) and (ILT) 

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Healthy Hair Tale – 2018)

After a day of being taunted by classmates about her unruly hair, Mackenzie cant take any more and she seeks guidance from her wise and comforting neighbor, Miss Tillie. Using the beautiful garden in the backyard as…

Jenny Lombard (A)

List Price $7.99 (Paperback – Teen Fiction / Friendship / Ethnic Background – 2006)

Drita and her family come to New York as refugees from war-torn Kosovo. Even though she barely speaks English, Drita can’t wait to start school and make a new…

Toni Morrison (A) and Slade Morrison (A) and Joe Cepeda (ILT) 

List Price: $19.99 (Hardcover – Nana Time – 2009)

Snuggle, snuggle.
Time to rest.
Nana joins us in her nest.

Description:There is no one like Nana in the whole wide world. She is the best. Nana knows how to take an ordinary…

Helaine Becker (A) and Tiemdow Phumiruk (ILT)

List Price: $19.99 (Hardcover – Mathematician / NASA Genius – 2019)

The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures.

You’ve likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know…

Connie Schofield-Morrison (A) and Frank Morrison (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Girl / Rhythm All Day – 2014)

On a simple trip to the park, the joy of music overtakes a mother and daughter. The little girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her- from butterflies, to street performers, to…

Jacqueline Woodson (A) and James Ransome (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Family / Incarcerated Parent – 2002)

In this moving picture book from multi-award winning author Jacqueline Woodson, a young girl and her grandmother prepare for a very special day–the one day a month they get to visit the girl’s father in…

H. Chuku Lee (A) and Pat Cummings (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover (No Jacket Cover) – Fairy Tale 2014)

In this remarkable retelling of Beauty and the Beast, award-winning illustrator Pat Cummings creates an enchanted fairy-tale world flavored by the art, architecture, and culture of West Africa, while writer H. Chuku Lee stays…

Farhan Zia (A) and Stephanie Fizer Coleman (ILT)

List Price: $7.99 (Paperback – Identity Story / Discovery – 2022)

A vivacious and endearing story of identification, values, and the rewards in looking closely and thinking imaginatively.
Lali finds a little feather in the field. Who might it belong to? Lali sets out to…

Betty K. Bynum (A) and Claire Armstrong Parod (ILT)

List Price: $17.95 (Hardcover – Self-Esteem – 2013)

I’M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL!

Introduces adorable Mia, who wakes with her hair just-a-going every which-a-ways! With her abundant energy and joy leading the way, readers follow Mia as she plays with her friends who…

The inspirational true story of Ruby Bridges.

Please, God, try to forgive those people. Because even if they say those bad things, They dont know what theyre doing. This is the true story of an extraordinary 6-year-old who helped shape history when she became the first African-American sent to first grade in an…

Derrick Barnes (A) and Vanessa Newton Brantley (ILT) 

Lists Price:$18.99 (Hardcover – Intro to Kindergarten – 2022) 

A stunning, poetic debut picture book from Pasha Westbrook about honoring one’s roots and the unbreakable bond of familial love, brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight.

Father braids my hair, just like his,

scented of coconut oil, the familiar tug of fingers on my scalp,

love in every twist…

As a young…

Sharee Miller (A and ILT) 

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – It’s About Hair and Personal Boundaries – 2019) 

An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair.

An inspirational and empowering book about what mothers, especially Black mothers, want their daughters to know.

This inspiring book gives girls permission to let their lights shine. They want all girls to know that there are no limits on what they can achieve.

One by one, common misconceptins are flipped and replaced by empowering…

Adapted from one of Bob Marley most beloved songs, One Love brings the joyful spirit and unforgettable lyrics of his music to life for a new generation.

Readers will delight in dancing to the beat and feeling the positive groove of change when one girl enlists her community to help transform her neighborhood for…

A magical story starring three Black mermaid sisters who each wish to wear the underwater crown! Perfect for fans of Little Mermaid and Oona.

Anaya, Shante, and Kianna are sisters.

And these mermaid princesses couldn’t be more different!

One day, when a problem too big for any of them to…

From New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles and rising star illustrator Sharon Sordo comes the second book in a charming picture book series about a fun, spunky girl with strong opinions, big ideas, and a huge heart!

Zuri Ray is back! And this time, she’s got a party to plan.…

Marlon McKinney (A and ILT)

List Price: $9.99 (Paperback – Comic Book/ Graphic Novel  A Fantasy Story – Queen of Sheba – 2021)

A beautiful Ethiopian princess must use courage, strength, and leadership to conquer a dangerous enemy set on destroying the wealthy Kingdom of Sheba.

Princess Makeda was born into a loving royal family…

Carole Lindstrom (A) and Michaela Goade (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Native American/ Water Conservation – 2020)

Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal
New York Times Bestseller

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to…

Quvenzhane Wallis (A) and Vanessa Brantley-Newton (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Mother and Daughter Adventure – 2017)

From Academy Award–nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis comes a story about glitz, glamour, and the most important thing of all—family.A very talented little girl has a very special night ahead of her. A night where she’ll…

Ekiuwua Aire (A) and Alina Shabelnyk (ILT) 

List Price $24.99 (Hardcover – Africa / Queen IDIA of Benin – 2020)

Join Idia of the Benin Kingdom as she molds herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to becoming the Queen of the ancient African Kingdom of Benin. Discover the journey…

Susan Verde (A),  George Badiel (A) and Peter H. Reynolds (ILT)

List Price: $18.99  (Hardcover – An African Princess Dreams – 2016)

Based on supermodel Georgie Badiel’s childhood, a young girl dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is…

Kamala Harris (A) and Mechal Renee Roe (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Biography / Senator and Presidential Candidate – 2019)

From Senator Kamala Harris comes a picture book with an empowering message: Superheroes are all around us–and if we try, we can all be heroes too. Now a #1 New York…

This stunning children’s book from the photographer behind the Instagram sensation Brown Girls Do Ballet, combines irresistible photos of young ballerinas of color with inspirational text that empowers all children to express their true selves through movement and music.

When TaKiyah Wallace-McMillian went to enroll her three-year-old daughter into her first ballet class,…

Matthew Paul Turner (A) David Catrow (ILT)

List Price: $12.99 (Hardcover – Spiritual / Illumination – 2018)

From the author and illustrator of the best-selling When God Made You comes a new illuminating message about God’s design affirming young readers.

‘Let there be light!’ that’s what God said. And light began shining and then started…

A young biracial girl looks around her world for her color. She finally chooses her own, and creates a new word for herself―honeysmoke.

Simone wants a color.

She asks Mama, “Am I black or white?”

“Boo,” Mama says, just like mamas do, “a color is just a word.”

She asks Daddy,…

The New York Times bestselling team behind Parker Looks Up returns with this Level 1 Ready-to-Read about trying to make a good day out of a bad one.

Parker is not having a good day.  All she wants is some time alone to read her book, but her brother and sister will not stop following…

Chris Barton (A) and Eukua Holmes (ILT) 

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover –  Biography / Congresswoman Barbara Jordan – 2017) 

When Barbara Jordan talked, we listened.” —Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton

Congresswoman Barbara Jordan had a big, bold, confident voice—and she knew how to use it! Learn all about her…