Shades of Black : A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney

Shades of Black : A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney (author), Myles Pinkney (illustrator)

I am Black / I am Unique / I am the creamy white frost in vanilla ice cream/ and the milky smooth brown in a chocolate bar...
Using simple poetic language and stunning photographs, Sandra and Myles Pinkney have created a remarkable book of affirmation for African-American children.


Photographic portraits and striking descriptions of varied skin tones, hair texture, and eye color convey a strong sense of pride in a unique heritage. A joyous celebration of the rich diversity among African-Americans. Ages 5-7

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Lullaby (For a Black Mother) by Langston Hughes

Lullaby (For a Black Mother) by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Sean Qualls

With a few simple words as smooth as a song, the poet Langston Hughes celebrates the love between a Black mother and her baby. The award-winning illustrator Sean Qualls’s painted and collaged artwork captures universally powerful maternal moments with tenderness and whimsy. In the end, readers will find a rare photo of baby Hughes and his mother, a biographical note, further reading, and the complete lullaby. Ages 0–4.

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#lullabyforablackmother #langstonhughes
#seanqualls #culture #poetry #family
#motherhood #love #blackauthors
#blackillustrators #blackpoets #imagesmatter
#loveofreading #joyofreading #readinglife
#youngreaders #supportblackauthors
#supportblackillustrators

Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins

Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Bryan Collier brings this classic, inspirational poem to life, written by poet Useni Eugene Perkins.

Hey Black child,
Do you know who you are?
Who really are?
Do you know you can be
What you want to be
If you try to be
What you can be?

This lyrical, empowering poem celebrates Black children and seeks to inspire all young people to dream big and achieve their goals. Ages 3–10.

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#blackchildren #imagesmatter

#respresentationmatters #blackpoets

#blackauthors #awardwinners

#loveofreading #readinglife #joyofreading

#youngreaders #supportblackauthors

#supportblackillustrators

Happy by Pharrell Williams

Happy by Pharrell Williams

Nominated for an Academy Award in 2014, “Happy” hit number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 list, and has topped the charts in more than seventy-five countries worldwide. Now Pharrell Williams brings his beloved song to the youngest of readers in photographs of children across cultures celebrating what it means to be happy. All the exuberance of the song pulses from these vibrant photographs of excited, happy kids. This is a board book full of memorable, precious childhood moments that will move readers in the same way they were moved by the song.

Happy” has had the world dancing ever since it first hit the airwaves, and now the irresistibly cheerful tune will come to life on the page with Pharrell Williams’s very first picture book! A keepsake and true classic in the making. Ages 4+

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#happy #pharellwilliams #boardbook #joy #love #music

#peace #songs #musicians #loveofreading #readers

#joyofreading #supportblackauthors

Honoring Women's History Month pt.12: Welcome, Precious by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier

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

Welcome, Precious by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier:

Literary award winners Nikki Grimes and Bryan Collier celebrate life, love, and family with this gorgeous new picture book.

"Welcome, Precious. Welcome to the warm circle of your daddy's arms, the slippery kisses of your giddy grandmother, and the cool tickle of Mommy's nose rubbing against your belly button."

Lulling, poetic text and captivating illustrations welcome a new baby to the wonders of the world, from peanut butter to moonlight. A perfect gift for expecting parents, big brothers- and sisters-to-be, or anyone who wishes to remember life's first magical moments.Ages 0–3.

 Buy it here.

#welcomeprecious #nikkigrimes #poet #blackwomenauthors #womenshistorymonth

 #supportblackwomenauthors #imagesmatter #blackcharacters #readers #readinglife #reading #loveofreading

Honoring Women's History Month pt.4: Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

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


Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold   

This enchanting story follows the adventure of 8-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot after she flies over her apartment- building rooftop,  the “tar beach” looking down on 1939 Harlem. Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture.  Ages 5-8

Buy it here.

#tarbeach #faithringgold #Harlem #adventure #quilts #poetry #culture #WomensHistoryMonth#blackauthors #blackwomenauthors #imagesmatter #representationmatters #readinglife #stories