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Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and one of the best ways to celebrate is to take a look at some of the wonderful children's books that honor the numerous achievements of African Americans and the contributions they have made throughout history.
In this roundup we pay tribute to African Americans from different walks of life who courageously spoke out against slavery, racism and discrimination, and fought tirelessly for equal rights. They include such prominent figures as Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, and baseball great Jackie Robinson, whose actions both on and off the field were nothing short of heroic and inspirational. We're also featuring some compelling works of fiction that convey the tremendous hardships so many African Americans had to endure just because of their skin color.
After reading these selections, we think you'll agree that the rich heritage and accomplishments of African Americans should be recognized and celebrated every single day of the year.
 BIG JABE
Jerdine Nolen
illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Amistad Press
ISBN: 0060540613
Ages 6-up
32 pages
When a young slave named Addy goes fishing one spring day, she doesn't catch any fish. Instead, she finds a little boy in a basket floating in the river. But Jabe is no ordinary boy: in a few short months, he grows to be a big, strong man. Believe it or not, he can pick an entire field of cotton by himself in just one night and day. He even has the power to turn a tired old workhorse into a young filly ready to race! So when slaves begin to miraculously disappear from the Plenty Plantation, Addy knows in her heart who's behind it.
 BLACK IS BROWN IS TAN
Arnold Adoff
illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
Amistad Press
ISBN: 0064436446
Ages 4-8
40 pages
When it was originally published in 1973, BLACK IS BROWN IS TAN featured the first interracial family in children's books. Now, over 30 years later, Amistad Press has released an enlarged and reillustrated edition of award-winning poet Arnold Adoff's tribute to our multicultural world. This version features bright watercolor paintings by Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully that depict a family of the 21st century, in addition to an afterword that touches upon segregation, interracial marriage, and the growing interracial population in the United States.
 FISHING DAY
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion
ISBN: 0786807660
Ages 5-9
32 pages
Reenie and her mama love to go fishing down by the river. But often their quality time together is interrupted by the appearance of Peter Troop and his daddy. One of the main differences between these two families is their skin color --- the Troops are white; Reenie and Mama are black. Unfortunately they're living in the Jim Crow South, where people of different races rarely communicate or spend time with one another. One day though, when the Troops' fishing reel breaks, Reenie overcomes their mutual fear and mistrust to help Peter --- an act that holds the promise of friendship and understanding.
 GOD BLESS THE CHILD
Billie Holiday
illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Amistad Press
ISBN: 0060287977
Ages 4-8
32 pages
The song "God Bless the Child" was first performed by legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday in 1939 and remains one of her enduring masterpieces. In this extraordinary book, renowned illustrator Jerry Pinkney has created images of a family moving from the rural South to the urban North during the 1930s at the height of the Great Migration. A free CD of Billie Holiday's timeless recording of "God Bless the Child" accompanies the book for all to enjoy.
 HARLEM STOMP! A Cultural History of the Harlem Renaissance
Laban Carrick Hill
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316814113
All ages
160 pages
This meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated book --- packed with poetry, prose, photographs, full-color paintings and reproductions of historical documents --- brings the Harlem Renaissance alive for young people. It chronicles the work of prominent Harlem Renaissance artists, activists and writers including Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Sargent Johnson and Marcus Garvey.
Featuring a striking cover by illustrator Christopher Myers and a foreword by renowned poet Nikki Giovanni, HARLEM STOMP! is a rich exploration of one of the most important and exciting periods in American cultural history.
 I'VE SEEN THE PROMISED LAND: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Walter Dean Myers
illustrated by Leonard Jenkins
Amistad Press
ISBN: 0060277033
Ages 5-8
40 pages
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most important and celebrated leaders of the twentieth century. His crusade for nonviolent social justice inspired millions of people to seek equality through peaceful protests. Come celebrate the accomplishments of this American hero and his dream, as Walter Dean Myers tells the story of King's tireless pursuit of racial equality during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history.
 MAJOR TAYLOR, CHAMPION CYCLIST
Lesa Cline-Ransome
illustrated by James E. Ransome
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689831595
Ages 6-10
40 pages
At the age of 13, Marshall Taylor landed a job at the famous Indiana bike shop Hay and Willits, thanks to his ability to perform many stunts --- such as riding forward and backward, even on handlebars. By the age of 18 Major Taylor --- as Marshall became known --- turned pro and just three years later went on to win the world championship title. But life was anything but smooth for Marshall. He battled racism and extraordinary odds to become one of the world's greatest cyclists.
 MALCOLM X: A Fire Burning Brightly
Walter Dean Myers
illustrated by Leonard Jenkins
Amistad Press
ISBN: 0060562013
Ages 5-8
40 pages
Malcolm X was one of the most influential and controversial leaders of the civil rights movement. This compelling biography, available now for the first time in paperback, explores Malcolm's childhood, his life on the streets, his religion, the time he spent in prison, and his role as leader in the struggle to achieve equality for black people. Walter Dean Myers also includes direct quotes from Malcolm's speeches to help us better understand exactly what he stood for.
 POWERFUL WORDS: More Than 200 Years of Extraordinary Writing By African Americans
edited by Wade Hudson
illustrated by Sean Qualls
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439409691
Ages 9-12
192 pages
POWERFUL WORDS is an impressive collection of writings --- in the form of letters, speeches, poetry, novels and songs --- by more than thirty African-Americans from colonial times to today. They include Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison. Readers can explore the many important aspects of the African-American experience in America --- the courageous struggle against slavery, discrimination and racism; the emergence of a national African American community; and the enormous contributions African Americans have made to help our country grow and prosper.
 A PRIDE OF AFRICAN TALES
Donna L. Washington
illustrated by James Ransome
Amistad Press
ISBN: 0060249293
Ages 6-10
80 pages
This lavishly illustrated, full-color collection of African tales has something for everyone. There are stories about wisdom, foolishness, anger and forgiveness, as well as both funny and scary stories set in Ghana, Nigeria, the Congo, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In each, storyteller Donna L. Washington's writing brings to life the richness of African culture, while Coretta Scott King Award winner James Ransome's vibrant paintings reflect the diversity and landscape of each region.
 PROMISES TO KEEP: How Jackie Robinson Changed America
Sharon Robinson
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439425921
Ages 9-12
64 pages
Sharon Robinson shares memories of her famous father in this warm and loving biography of the man who made history by breaking the color barrier in baseball. Jackie Robinson was an outstanding athlete, a devoted family man and dedicated civil rights activist. His daughter talks about his victories both on and off the field, and the inspiring effect he had on his family, his community, and his country.
PROMISES TO KEEP also includes photos from the Robinson family archives and family letters that have never been published before. This intimate and uplifting book is a keeper for children and adults of all ages.
--- Compiled and written by Tom Donadio
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