Fresh Princess by Denene Milner

Fresh Princess by Denene Milner, Gladys Jose (illustrator)

Based on The Fresh Prince created by Will Smith, Destiny is the Fresh Princess. Meet Destiny—a cool, energetic, and strong-willed young girl who approaches every day with her own signature style! That is, until she moves to a brand-new neighborhood, where nothing looks quite the same as it did at her old house. Even with new challenges and new friends to make, Destiny always has a plan. With a few reminders from her loving family and after remembering what being the Fresh Princess is all about, she may just take the leap and jump right in! Written by celebrated author, blogger, and editor Denene Millner and illustrated by Gladys Jose, Fresh Princess is the perfect book to encourage kids to proudly stand out and be themselves! Ages 4-8.

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#freshprincess #denenemilner #energetic #strong-willed #stylish #family #imagesmatter #representationmatters #youngreaders #childrensbooks #loveofreading #joyofreading #storiesofacolorfulworld #supportblackwomenauthors #supportwomenillustrators #letsgetkidsreading

She's Got This by Laurie Hernandez

She's Got This by Laurie Hernandez, Nina Mata (illustrator)


From gold-medal-winning Olympic gymnast and bestselling author Laurie Hernandez comes a picture book about chasing your dreams and never giving up.

Even Olympians have to start somewhere. And in this charming illustrated book, Laurie Hernandez tells the story of Zoe, a little girl who dreams of flying—and becoming a gymnast. When Zoe sees a gymnast on TV, she realizes that gymnastics is just like flying. But when she first goes to class and falls off the balance beam, she discovers that following her dreams is harder and scarier than she thought. Through this heartwarming and inspirational story, featuring vibrant art from Nina Mata, Laurie imparts important lessons she learned on her way to Olympic glory: You always have to get back up and try again, and you always have to believe in yourself. Ages 4-8

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#shegotthis #lauriehernandez #gymnast #followyourdreams #perseverence #Olympian #youngreaders #childrensbooks #loveofreading #storiesofacolorfulworld #letsgetkidsreading

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Keturah A. Bobo (illustrator)



I Am Enough is the picture book everyone needs, and it's now a New York Times bestseller and the picture book winner in the Goodreads Choice Awards!

This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another—from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. This is the perfect gift for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it. Ages 4-8

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#Iamenough #gracebyers #keturahabobo #weareenough #purpose #selflove #imagesmatter #representationmatters #youngreaders #childrensbooks #loveofreading #storiesofacolorfulworld #supportblackwomenauthors #supportblackwomenillustrators #letsgetkidsreading

Sasha Savvy Loves to Code by Sasha Ariel Alston

Sasha Savvy Loves to Code by Sasha Ariel Alston; Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

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 African-American girl, who lives in Washington, DC. Sasha must choose which class to take for summer camp. Her mom discovers that the camp is offering a new class for girls on how to code. Sasha thinks this will be boring and doesn't believe that she is good at computer stuff. Despite this, she decides to give it a chance and convinces her best friends Gabby Reyes and Ashley Webster, to attend the coding camp with her. Sasha's mom, a Software Developer, gives her a unique formula to help her remember how to code but will it be enough to get her through a challenging first day of camp with bugs everywhere, computing errors, that is. Ages 7-10

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#sashasavvylovestocode #sashaarielalston  #STEM #coding #womencoders #softwaredevelopers #girlswhocode #blackwomenauthors #reading #loveofreading #readinglife

#supportblackwomenauthors       

                                  

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Laura Freeman (Illustrator)

Based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award–nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winner Laura Freeman bring the incredibly inspiring true story of four black women who helped NASA launch men into space to picture book readers!

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good.

They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as "colored computers," and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career. Ages 4-8

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#hiddenfigures #margotleeshetterly #dorothyvaughan #maryjackson
#katherinejohnson #mathemeticians #NASA #spacerace  #leadership
#herstory#blackwomenauthors #womentinmath #STEM #inspiration #awardwinner #readinglife #loveofreading #supportblackwomenauthors

Honoring Women's History Month pt. 20: Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors:

Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison

"Meet 40 trailblazing women who broke barriers of race and gender to pave the way for future generations. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History is important, timely, and written in style that kids will enjoy. " - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor

This beautifully illustrated New York Times bestseller introduces readers of all ages to 40 women who changed the world.

An important book for all ages, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of forty trailblazing black women in American history. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash.

Among these biographies, readers will find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things - bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn't always accept them. 

The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something big and amazing, inspiring generations to come.  Ages 8-11.

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#littleleaders #vashtiharrison #blackgirlmagic #leadership #ourstory #history #americanhistory #blackwomenauthors #womenshistorymonth #imagesmatter #readers #readinglife #reading #loveofreading #supportblackwomenauthors

Honoring Women's History Month pt. 2: Happy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors.

Happy Hair by  Mechal Renee Roe

African American girls and their beautiful hair are celebrated in this bright, joyful read-together picture book that will have girls everywhere repeating the book's chorus: "I love being me!"

African American girls will love seeing strong, happy reflections of themselves in this vibrant, rhythmic picture book celebrating the diversity of beautiful black hair. From a cute crop to pom-pom puffs, adorable illustrations of girls with gorgeous braids, blowouts, and bantus grace each page, side by side with a call-and-response affirmation that will make girls cheer. It's a great read-aloud to promote self-esteem for girls of all ages, building and growing the foundation of self-love (and hair love!) and letting every girl know "You are made beautiful!"

Full 'fro, cute bow! I love being me! Smart girl, cool curls! I love being me! Ages 4-7

Buy it here.

#happyhair #mechalreneeroe  #womenshistorymonth #womenauthors  #blackauthors#blackwomenauthors #hair #kinks #coils   #curls #imagesmatter #selflove #youarebeautiful #blackgirlmagic

Honoring Women's History Month pt. 18: Princess Hair by Sharee Miller

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors:

Princess Hair by Sharee Miller

"A welcome new picture book about princesses, Princess Hair is about a variety of styles, textures, and attitudes to be found under the crown. Fun for any reader and particularly well-suited for little princesses of color who will see themselves in the pages." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor

Princesses with curls wear pearls.
Princesses with head wraps take long naps.
And princesses with teeny-weeny Afros wear teeny-weeny bows.

Celebrate different hair shapes, textures, and styles in this self-affirming picture book! From dreadlocks to blowouts to braids, Princess Hair shines a spotlight on the beauty and diversity of black hair, showing young readers that every kind of hair is princess hair.

Debut author-illustrator Sharee Miller encourages confidence and pride in this playful, colorful picture book that teaches readers to love every bit of themselves.  Ages 5-6

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#princesshair #shareemiller #blackhair #healthyselfimage #coils 

#curls #kinks #headwraps #puffs  #blackwomenauthors 

#womenshistorymonth #imagesmatter #blackcharacters 

#readers #readinglife #reading #loveofreading #supportblackwomenauthors

Honoring Women's History Month pt. 16: Princess Cupcake Jones and the Queen’s Closet by Ylleya Fields

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors:

Princess Cupcake Jones and the Queen’s Closet by Ylleya Fields

Princess Cupcake Jones loves exploring her mom’s closet and trying on shoes. In the closet she finds herself in a transforming make-believe world of fun. When Cupcake discovers a special box that she hasn’t seen before, curiosity propels her to explore what lies within the mystery box. And once she looks inside, she finds herself in a shoe-filled situation that is more than she could have imagined.  Children will delight in Cupcake’s discovery and will enjoy searching for the special word (“love”) hidden in each illustration. This is part of the Princess Cupcake Jones series. Ages 5-7

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#princesscupcakejones #ylleyafields #adventure #discovery #empowerment #blackwomenauthors #womenshistorymonth 

#imagesmatter #blackcharacters #readers #readinglife

 #reading #loveofreading #supportblackwomenauthors

Honoring Women's History Month pt. 14: Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors:

Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen

Sassy is a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream. When a famous director comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy's persistence, she just might be able to win him over. Dancing in the Wings is loosely based on actress/choreographer Debbie Allen's own experiences as a young dancer.  Ages 4-8

Buy it here.

#dancinginthewings #debbieallen #dreambig #empowerment 

#blackwomenauthors #womenshistorymonth 

#imagesmatter #blackcharacters #readers #readinglife #reading

#loveofreading #supportblackwomenauthors

Honoring Women's History Month p.11: Pritsy and Purrdy by Sharina Stanley and Amarri Stowbridge

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors.

Pritsy and Purrdy by Sharina Stanley and Amarri Stowbridge

It's a heartbreaking day for Pritsy as she leaves her home in Sweet Lips, Tennessee and has to move north. It becomes even harder to adjust when she gets to Hope Elementary where it feels like all the kids are bullies. When she meets a little furry friend on this new move, will this help Pritsy adjust to her new home? Find out in Pritsy and Purrdy.
Ages 5-6

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#pritsy&purrdy #sharinastanley #amarristowbridge #adventure #empowerment #blackwomenauthors #womenshistorymonth 
#imagesmatter #blackcharacters #readers #readinglife #reading #loveofreading #supportblackwomenauthors

Honoring Women's History Month pt.10: Penny and the Magic Puffballs by Alonda Williams Illustrated by Tyrus Goshay

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors.

Penny and the Magic Puffballs by Alonda Williams  Illustrated by Tyrus Goshay

Penny wanted to wear her hair "down" like all of the other girls in her class. She wondered why her friends had long straight hair and she did not. Feeling different made her feel sad. Penny's mom assured her that her hair is perfect. Just because her hair is different from her friends hair, it didn't mean that it was bad. Penny's mom decides to style her hair in puffballs, magic puffballs. Penny learns through a series of fun adventures, that wonderful and magical things happen when she wears her puffballs. Join Penny as she discovers the magic of her puffballs.  Ages 4-8

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#pennyandthemagicpuffballs #blackgirlmagic #curls #kinks #coils #puffs #blackhair #beautifulhair #blackauthors #womenshistorymonth #imagesmatter #blackcharacters #readers #readinglife #loveofreading

Honoring Women's History Month pt.9: I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl by Betty K. Bynum Illustrated by Claire Armstrong Parod

In honor of women's history month, a celebration of children's books by black women authors



I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl by Betty K. Bynum Illustrated by Claire Armstrong Parod

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 are all shades, shapes and sizes. There's tall Kia, Keisha the reader, Charlotte her best friend, Dina Rose-Marie the artist, Imani the dancer, Anna who loves sports, Ruby the singer, and honey-haired Tracy. Mia finds that Pretty is within herself and her friends, and being pretty is way beyond what the mirror shows. Ages 6 and up.  Ages 5-8

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#I'maprettylittleblackgirl #bettykbynum #blackgirlmagic #curls #kinks #coils #hair #blackhair #beautifulhair #selflove #blackwomenauthors #womenshistorymonth #imagesmatter #blackcharacters #readers #readinglife #reading #loveofreading