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Black Books for Kids- Where Do I Start?
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| The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World |
| by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen |
| Hyperion Books, 2001 |
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| This collection diverges from blues to show its areas of
influence, with stories about Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson,
Robert Johnson, Ray Charles, James Brown, Muddy Waters, Billie
Holiday and more. Lester doesn’t look away from moonshine or
lynchings or other heartbreaking realities that made the blues, but
the biographies are told elegantly, with soul. This volume
poetically describes the blues: “Well, the blues are like having the
flu in your feelings…The words of a blues song might be sad, but the
music and the beat wrap around your heart like one of your
grandmother’s hugs.” “Bessie Smith…She was a big woman with a voice
as wide and long as the sky.” Lester, who is on board of directors
at the Newport Folk Foundation, and a folk singer himself, gives a
list of recommended listening, so the music can come alive while you
share the stories. |
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| Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry |
| Atheneum, 2001 |
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| This primer of poetry for kids under eight years is a favourite
of teachers. It introduces the poems of Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn
Brooks, Audre Lord and more. Bryan chooses to organize the poetry by
theme in alphabetical order. A mixture of rhythms and vivid
illustrations make this a staple in kid’s literature. |
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| Folktales from Africa: the Girl Who Married a Lion
(Illustrated Edition) |
| by Alexander McCall Smith |
| Canongate Books, 2005 |
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| This charming collection of fables gives helpful lessons about
people and animals to curious kids of all ages. McCall Smith is not
black, but he is African. He was born in then-Zimbawbe, and was a
professor at the University of Botswana. Smith is one of the most
prolific writers around, best known for his No. 1 Ladies’ Detective
Agency series. All of his work has the kind of simple but profound
storytelling reminiscent of parables. His love for the people and
scenery of Africa runs deep, and he shares that joy with easy,
subtle humour. This whimsical illustrated version brings the stories
alive. |
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| Barack Obama, Son of Promise, Child of Hope |
| by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier |
| Simon and Schuster, 2008 |
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| Whatever one’s personal political persuasion, the election of a
black president in the United States of America is a major
historical landmark. With biracial parentage, divorced parents, and
a multicultural-multigenerational upbringing, Obama’s story shows
how diverse heritage can enrich a person instead of marginalizing
identity. This book is wonderfully illustrated, depicting a young
Barack (called “Barry”) exploring his world by the sea, inside of
books, in the Bible, and abroad. This biography is a very simplified
version of Obama’s biography, Dreams from My Father. It shows how
faith, hard work, and courage to risk change can positively impact
the world. Grimes doesn’t go into too much detail about politics,
making it totally appropriate for the earliest readers. |
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| A Drawing in the Sand: A Story of African American Art |
| by Jerry Butler |
| Zino, 1998 |
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| For kids eight and up, this visually inspiring book chronicles
the author’s own journey as an artist, using the stories of famous
black artists to navigate his way. While the graphic layout of the
book has been criticized as confusing, others enjoy the
not-always-linear approach and the jumble and tumble of colours. A
must have for kids interested in art, and a great overview for
others. |
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| African Beginnings |
| by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, illustrated by Floyd
Cooper |
| Amistad Books, 1998 |
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| This unique and beautiful book fills a major gap in education by
showcasing for children the history of African’s ancient empires.
Recommended for grade three and up, “up” can include seniors and
even history buffs who may already know that there were many other
civilizations besides Egypt’s. Empires like Ghana, Timbuktu, Kush,
Nubia and more are brought to life, along with slavery, dance,
music, religion, and trade. Floyd Cooper’s art is breathtaking. |
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| African-Canadian Children’s Literature |
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http://www.yorku.ca/aconline/literature/children.html |
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| York University has compiled a brief but helpful list of kids’
books by black authors. |
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| Multicultural Kids’ Lit and Other Special Themes |
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http://frankrogers.home.mindspring.com/multi.html |
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| Frank Rogers organizes themes to help get you to the literary
list you need. From the home page, you can click on Latino books,
books with Islamic themes, books featuring strong girls, gay and
lesbian themes, Asian themes, rural themes, and many more. |
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| Children’s Literature: Independent Information and Reviews |
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http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/th_af.html |
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| This is an extremely helpful resource for tracking down stellar
kids’ books on African-American themes. (The site covers children’s
lit of all kinds, so a wander to other sections can only enrich your
library.) By placing a cluster of reviewed books by themes, you can
search for your child’s area of interest (or yours), or pick out
topics you don’t know much about, so you can learn together. In
African History, for example, you’ll discover histories of specific
regions or events in Africa; in Africa Today, you’ll find books
about individual countries or people; in African American Musicians,
there are so many resources that you will rediscover for yourself
the greats of jazz, blues, gospel, and beyond as you share them with
your children. This site shares folktales, military, current events,
fiction, and more for all ages, laid out in themes with helpful
reviews. While the focus is on Africa and African-American themes,
Canadians won’t run out of interesting reading material. |
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| Coretta Scott King Author Awards |
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| Since 1970, The Coretta Scott King Award has honoured
African-American authors and illustrators for their distinguished
contributions to children’s literature. Like the prestigious Newbery
Award, the Coretta is a highly recognized and coveted distinction.
Choosing from the honourable mentions and awarded books from the
past forty years will give your family an exciting education. Look
for titles with the help of a librarian, or visit the site for more
information: |
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http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/cskbookawards/index.cfm
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| Recommendations? Let us know about your children’s favourite
books!
thegirlcanwrite@hotmail.com |
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