AGES 4-8 / GRADES K-3

Useni Eugene Perkins (A) and Laura Freeman (ILT)

List Price: $17.95 (Hardcover – 1st President of Ghana – 2021)

On a humid March night in 1957, Kwame Nkrumah made history. While thousands of people cheered, including dignitaries from round the world, he announced his country’s independence. After many years of British rule,…

This joyous and loving celebration of family is…

Robert D. San Souci (A) and Brian Pinkney (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Folktale/ Mermaid – 1996)

Sukey’s new step-pa is a mean, bossy man. Every day Sukey wakes at dawn to work in the garden. All her step-pa ever does is watch her and yell if she so much as stops…

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From parents and actors Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill comes a picture book filled with beautiful, inspiring affirmations reminding kiddos of their infinite wonder. Perfect for children of any age!

I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.
Every child, no matter their age, needs…

Julius Lester (A) and Karen Barbour (A) and (ILT) 

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Race / Similarities and Differences – 2005)

This gorgeous book—great to read with kids of any age—allows for open-ended conversation and questions.” (Brightly.com)

In this acclaimed book, the author of the Newberry Honor Book To Be a Slave shares his…

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,…

Mary Chamberlin and Richard Chamberlin (A) and Julia Cairns (ILT)

List Price: $9.99 (Paperback- East African Culture / Kenya/ Mother and Son / Cooking / Generosity – 2006)

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Mama Panya and her son, Adika, are all ready for market day where Mama is planning on using her few coins to buy the…

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…

A moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas—and the origins of Juneteenth.

When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.

They built me to remember.

On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in…

Collected by Zora Neal Neal Hurston and Adapted by Christopher Myers (ILT)

List Price: $7.99 (Paperback – Folk Lore – 2015)

Back in the day, there were liars who could lie so good, you didn’t even want to know the truth. And we have Zora Neale Hurston to thank for collecting…

Joyce Carol Thomas (A) and Floyd Cooper (ILT)

List Price: $16.99 (Hardcover – Poems / African American Identity – 2008)

We are color struck
The way an artist strikes
His canvas with his brush of many hues
Look closely at these mirrors
these palettes of skin
Each color is rich
in its own…

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Jesse Owens, the great track and field star.

The youngest of ten children, Jesse grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama. Discovered by his high school track and field coach, Jesse quickly rose to…

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Bunmi Laditan (A) and Tom Knight (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Family – 2018)

From Bunmi Laditan, the creator of the Honest Toddler blog, The Big Bed is a humorous picture book about a girl who doesn’t…

Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee (A) Kadir Nelson (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Toddlers with Puppy – 2005)

In page after page of tail-wagging fun, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Beacon Award-winning producer Tonya Lewis Lee, take a close-up look at what happens when a couple…

2024 Golden Poppy Award Winner

An intimate look at Juneteenth, this story is a warm exploration of a family and a community. 

Juneteenth is the smell of brisket filling the air. Juneteenth is the sounds of music, dancing, and cheering ringing from the parade outside. It is love. It is prayer. It is friends…

Shauntay Grant (Author) and Jenin Mohammad (Illustrator)

Joanna Ho (A) and Dung Ho (ILT)

 List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Multicultural Bilingual – 2021)

This lyrical, stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes, in the spirit of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, and is a celebration of diversity.

A young…

Anne Rockwell (A) and R. Gregory Christie (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Biography / African American Hisotry / Abolitionist / Women Rights – 2002)

Powerful picture book biography of one of the abolitionist movement most compelling voices.

Sojourner Truth traveled the country…

Ellen Levin (A) and Kadir Nelson (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – African American History /Escape to Freedom – 2007)

A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist.

Henry Brown doesn’t know how old he…

David Wisniewski (A) and (ILT)

List Price: $9.99 (Paperback – African King / Mali – 1999)

In the thirteenth century, Sundiata overcame physical handicaps, social disgrace, and strong opposition to rule the West African Sudanese trading empire of Mali. During his reign he established the territorial base of the empire and laid the…

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.…

Jonah Winter (A) and Bryan Collier (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Supreme  Court Justice / Brilliant Lawyer – 2019)  

Thurgood Marshall–the first black justice on the Supreme Court and a giant of the civil rights movement–jumps to life in this inspiring picture-book biography from an award-winning author and six-time Coretta Scott…

A perfect picture book about perseverance, overcoming challenges, and working hard to achieve your goals!

Sydney learns to conquer her fear of public speaking at school, in this affectionate father-daughter story referencing inspiring role models who dealt with similar issues.

Sydney wants to be a great leader when she grows up. There’s just one…

Kathryn Erksine (A) and Charly Parker (ILT)

List Price: $22.50 (Hardcover – South Africa / Singer / Activist – 2017)

Miriam Makeba, a Grammy Award–winning South African singer, rose to fame in the hearts of her people at the pinnacle of apartheid―a brutal system of segregation similar to American Jim Crow laws. Mama…

Michelle Cook (A) and the following Contributing Illustrators: A.G. Ford, Bryan Collier, Charlotte Riley-Webb, Cozbi Cabrera, Diane Dillon, E.B. Lewis, Eric Velasquez, Frank Morrison, James Ransome, Leo Dillon, Pat Cummings, R. Gregory Christie, Shadra, E. B. Lewis, Marian Wright Edelman (Introduction)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback -Highlights11 African American Achievers…

Anna McQuinn (A) and Rosalind Beardshaw (ILT)

List Price $16.99 (Hardcover / Lola Series / First Day of School – 2019)

Spunky Lola embarks on a new adventure–the first day of school!

Lola and her family prepare for the first day of school the night before, then get up early, take pictures, and head to…

Vashti Harrison (A and ILT) 

From the author of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History comes the highly anticipated follow-up, a beautifully illustrated collectible detailing the lives of women creators around the world.

Featuring the true…

In the latest Lola Reads book, Lola learns about urban beekeeping in this simple and charming introduction to the importance of bees.

Lola is buzzing with excitement! She is off to visit beekeeper Zora and meet her honeybees.

At Zora’s, Lola goes up to the roof to see the hives. Lola wears a special…

Patrick Adom (Creator and Founder)

List Price: $23.00 (Jig Saw Puzzle – Continent of Africa – 2018)

Puzzles are a great way for you and your family to bond with children.  The Africa Map Puzzle is definitely something that can be enjoyed by all.  Each country on the continent of Africa is…

Todd Parr (A)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Virtues of Reading – 2009)

Reading makes you feel good because…
You can imagine you are a scary dinosaur,
You can make someone feel better when they are sick,
And you can do it anywhere!

Description: Reading Makes You Feel Good will inspire and encourage…

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…

Julie Gassman(A) and Andy Ekerton ILT)

List Price: $14.95 ( Hardcover – Playful Behavior Advice – 2016)

Have you ever thought about bringing your dragon to the library? Don’t do it! You might have the best intentions, but that dragon will cause nothing but trouble. Using rhyming text and a diverse cast of…

Natasha Tarpley (A) and E.B. Lewis (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – African American Boys / Hair Care / Pride and Self Esteem- 2009)

In this companion book to the bestselling I Love My Hair!, a young boy, Miles, makes his first trip to the barbershop with his…

Get ready for the ride of your life, as The ABCs of Black Wall Street takes readers on a front-row, all-inclusive tour.

The ABCs of Black Wall Street Coloring Book takes readers on a nostalgic trip through the heart of Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District. From Madam C.J. Walker and O.W. Gurley, to Williams…

June Peters, is a vibrant ten year old girl who understands the importance of giving. She’s determined to make a difference in the world and will do whatever it takes to complete her mission.

However, she learns a valuable lesson about talking to strangers and giving away her lunch money. June is still eager…

This joyful, intergenerational love story celebrates Black hair, self-care, and cultural pride. Perfect for fans of Hair Love and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.

It’s wash day―Tasha’s least favorite day of the week!

Wash day means stinging eyes, aching back, and water everywhere, even in Tasha’s ears!  But with…

Mary Kay Carson (A)

List Price: $19.99 (Paperback – African American History and Activity Book- 2008)

An Inspiring story of brave people and their lives

The heroic struggles of the thousands of slaves who sought freedom through the Underground Railroad are vividly portrayed in this powerful activity book, as are the abolitionists, free blacks, and…

A picture book biography about the barber shop of woodcarver Elijah Pierce, recipient of the highest folk art honor in the United States.

“Creeeeak!” goes the screen door to self-taught artist Elijah Pierce’s barbershop art studio. A young boy walks in for an ordinary haircut and walks out having discovered a lifetime of art.

…

Chris Barton (A) and Don Tate (ILT) 

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Biography / Inventor –  2016)

You know the Super Soaker. It’s one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie…