Picture Books for Littles for Juneteenth — and on!
Murals @ Loyola Park in Rogers Park, Chicago, IL, Various Artists
I’m an Adult Librarian, but I’ve heard many times since moving to Chicago that I would make a great Children’s Librarian! I’m not sure what my career future holds, but I know that I want to be a mother one day. The older I get, the more I set aside time to visit recent children’s literature publications to see what I may want add to my future child’s home library. Below are some books that would be perfect additions to any kiddo’s bookshelf to teach them about the Black American experience and activism in a way they can understand — and the last book is perfect for reminding little Black children in particular that they matter.
Picture Books for Littles for Juneteenth — and on!
They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park – Written by Tonya Duncan Ellis & Illustrated by Jenin Mohammed
They Built Me for Freedom is a book with absolutely gorgeous illustrations that tells of the history of Juneteenth. The history is told in an interesting way, through the perspective of the Third Ward, Houston, Texas park – called “Emancipation Park.” The author treats the park like the main character in the story, letting it narrate how it came to be. The picture book traces the timeline from start to present day, from June 19, 1865 when freedom reached Black enslaved people in Texas two years after the Emancipation Proclamation to now. I got chills reading, “While they enjoy my beautiful grounds, they recall their ancestors and all they overcame. Standing strong. Walking proud. Singing songs of jubilee… running free.”
The Artivist – Written & Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
The Artivist is a read to empower young minds! Painterly and at times abstract illustrations explore themes of racism and prejudice, inequality, gentrification, pollution and deforestation, gun violence, and more in a way young minds can understand. The young boy main character combines his art and activism and coins himself an “artivist.” He then shares how others can become “artivists” through music, writing, film work, and more. The narrative empowers young readers to challenge the mentioned themes leading with intersectionality, empathy, and compassion. Inspire littles to do what is right with and for their community with this book!
I briefly met Nikkolas Smith at a library convention and got his autograph for the illustrations he did for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream in partnership with author Frederick Joseph. I gifted the signed copy to my little cousins for their home library and know they will enjoy the beautiful storytelling at work in the illustrations by Smith!
Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change — Written by Brittney Cooper & Illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson
Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change helps littles learn about Black women and girls who made strides for the rights of future generations of Black femmes. The picture book shares short bios of the following Black “sheroes”: Mum Bett, Phillis Wheatley, Ida B. Wells, Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Prathia Hall, Lelia Foley, Bree Newsome, and Mari Copeny. Some stories well-known, others forgotten or overlooked, Stand Up! tells young readers that, “We stand up for the things we love” and that, “History has your back.” The book serves as an introduction to learning about Black women who changed history. The intro and outro bookending the bios are sure to inspire littles to “stand up” wherever their journeys may lead them.
I saw Brittney Cooper speak at The University of Kansas’s Hall of Humanities on a tour of her book Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpowers while completing my undergrad in Creative Writing. I remember leaving the event that night so inspired! I know little girls will feel the same when reading this picture book. How I wish I could have read this book as a little girl! How glad I am that this book exists now.
Soul Step – Written by Jewell Parker Rhodes & Kelly McWilliams & Illustrated by Brianna Mukodiri Uchendu
“Stop, clap, flip flap, go hard, snap back!” Soul Step is a love letter to sisterhood in the Black community. Soul Step speaks to using the art form of dance for self and communal expression, honoring tradition and heritage, and healing. One of my favorite pages of the book shows a community organizer protesting police brutality and violence. Showing children at a young age the reality that we have to be loud and proud about the change we want to see in the world is important. The book ends with a history of the Step dance form and a timeline of moments of Black female empowerment in the United States. With vibrant illustrations and fun characters, this book is sure to step its way into your child’s library.
I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids — Written by Natasha Williams & Illustrated by Sóf’ya Glushkó
I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids by Natasha Williams is the most beautiful ABC children’s book I’ve read in years. The book covers mantras that are good for people of any age, honestly, and I imagine for Black families that reading them aloud to your little would be a fulfilling experience. In a nation where the odds are stacked up against Black children, this book is a necessity to remind little Black kids that their thoughts, feelings, and lives matter. The book holds empowering affirmations that hit home taking charge of your own self-worth in a country where unfortunately many people may try to make Black children feel like their worth is small, small, small. This book reminds them that the worth of all children – including Black children whose lives and basic needs are often threatened – are so, so, so BIG! Heavy topics are handled with care and written in a way that children can comprehend.
One of the pages of I Affirm Me references a Maya Angelou quote, “The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free,” on a child’s sign. With this in mind, I hope we all remember that Juneteenth is, yes, a day celebrating the emancipation of Black people, but it is also a celebration of freedom at large.
On this past “Freedom Day” and those to come, remember the importance of supporting freedom. I work at a library branch in a Black neighborhood in Chicago, and your gift to the Chicago Public Library Foundation helps us improve the resources we can offer to the children who enter our library building. When considering at one time in the U.S. that Black children and families were not able to enter a library — let alone become a librarian like I did — it’s a big deal! Thank you for any help you may provide to our or your local library.
Additionally, during times of distress in America, we must remember to see intersectionality not only in identity but in the struggles we face – and on a global scale. Please consider donating to my friend’s dear friends who parent amidst the struggles in Gaza here and here. While reading Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis, I learned that the tear gas used in Ferguson were the exact tear gas canisters used in Palestine and, again, the importance of seeing intersectionality in shared struggle. Remember: “No one of us can be free until everybody is free.” Also, please comment any links to individuals and/or organizations in need of donations for children and families impacted by ICE raids, crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth, and more underrepresented populations that need our help to feel truly free.
There is so much injustice going on in America at this time that can feel overwhelming. Remember to take time to recharge and remind yourself that it is through learning and acting together as a collective that we make change. After all, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was inspired to use, “I have a dream” in his speech thanks to Preacher Prathia Hall. All of our work and passion inspires more work and passion.
Take care, friends.