Text Set for
Children of Color pg. 2
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Johnson, Angela. 1990. When I Am Old with You. New York City: Orchard Books.
Spending time with his grandfather is the most important thing in the world to the young boy in this story. He tells his grandfather about all the things they will do together—from fishing in the local pond to playing cards and games with friends and neighbors all night long. This book is a loving tribute to the special relationship between many grandchildren and their grandparents. But more than that, it reminds us how important it is for every young child to have at least one significant adult to spend time with and to learn from, whether that adult is a grandparent or not. "A small child imagines a future when he will be old with his Granddaddy and will sit beside him in a rocking chair and talk about everything... The poignant reality that time will never allow these two to coexist at the same age is softened by the fact that they do not have to be the same age in order to share happy times...
The African American child and grandfather are...recognizable to anyone who has ever shared the bond of family love across generations."
Spending time with his grandfather is the most important thing in the world to the young boy in this story. He tells his grandfather about all the things they will do together—from fishing in the local pond to playing cards and games with friends and neighbors all night long. This book is a loving tribute to the special relationship between many grandchildren and their grandparents. But more than that, it reminds us how important it is for every young child to have at least one significant adult to spend time with and to learn from, whether that adult is a grandparent or not. "A small child imagines a future when he will be old with his Granddaddy and will sit beside him in a rocking chair and talk about everything... The poignant reality that time will never allow these two to coexist at the same age is softened by the fact that they do not have to be the same age in order to share happy times...
The African American child and grandfather are...recognizable to anyone who has ever shared the bond of family love across generations."
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Crews. Donald. 1998. Bigmama's. New York: Greenwillow Books
Four African American children travel with their mother, and when the train arrives in Cottondale, Florida, the summer at Bigmama's house begins! Donald Crews brilliantly evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of a memorable childhood experience. Beautifully and richly illustrated, this is a wonderful choice for family reading and classroom sharing.
Four African American children travel with their mother, and when the train arrives in Cottondale, Florida, the summer at Bigmama's house begins! Donald Crews brilliantly evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of a memorable childhood experience. Beautifully and richly illustrated, this is a wonderful choice for family reading and classroom sharing.
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Diggs, Taye. 2011. Chocolate Me!. New York : Square Fish
The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is.
For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!, a book based on experiences of being African American, feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.
The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is.
For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!, a book based on experiences of being African American, feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.
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Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2017. Clayton Byrd Goes Underground. New York: Amistad Harper Collins
Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And she has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Except really, it's for black girls. From "bad" neighborhoods. And just because Maxine, her college-graduate mentor, is black doesn't mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.
Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And she has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Except really, it's for black girls. From "bad" neighborhoods. And just because Maxine, her college-graduate mentor, is black doesn't mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.
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Watson, Renee. 2017. Piecing Me Together. London: Bloomsbury
Jade Butler, an African-American artist-in-the-making, lives with her mother in Portland, Ore., and travels by bus to a private school, where she is both grateful for and resentful of the opportunities presented to her. This text is written In short, poetic chapters that depicts Jade pondering her family, school, and neighborhood relationships, wondering where she fits in: “How I am someone’s answered prayer but also someone’s deferred dream.” Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And she has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Except really, it's for black girls. From "bad" neighborhoods. And just because Maxine, her college-graduate mentor, is black doesn't mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference. - Imagery is used throughout this picture book Rearranging reality, redefining, covering, disguising. Tonight I am taking ugly and making beautiful.” Jade’s narrative voice offers compelling reflections on the complexities of race and gender, class and privilege, and fear and courage, while conveying the conflicted emotions of an ambitious, loyal girl. Teeming with compassion and insight, Watson’s story trumpets the power of artistic expression to re-envision and change the world.
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Lester, Julius. 1969. Black Folktales. New York City: Grove Press
Twelve remarkable folktales, culled from the black experience in Africa and America, are freshly retold in the thoroughly original voice of Julius Lester. The twelve tales including in this text are of African and Afro-American origin include "How God Made the Butterflies," "The Girl With the Large Eyes," "Stagolee," and "People Who Could Fly.Arranged by topic – Origins, Love, Heroes, and People – the tales will delight readers of all ages with their universal themes and uncanny wisdom. Some of these stories have been around for centuries and many were passed down by slaves.
Twelve remarkable folktales, culled from the black experience in Africa and America, are freshly retold in the thoroughly original voice of Julius Lester. The twelve tales including in this text are of African and Afro-American origin include "How God Made the Butterflies," "The Girl With the Large Eyes," "Stagolee," and "People Who Could Fly.Arranged by topic – Origins, Love, Heroes, and People – the tales will delight readers of all ages with their universal themes and uncanny wisdom. Some of these stories have been around for centuries and many were passed down by slaves.
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Woodson, Jacqueline. 2012. Each Kindness. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books
Each kindness makes the world a little better. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different--she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she'd shown a little kindness toward Maya.
Each kindness makes the world a little better. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different--she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she'd shown a little kindness toward Maya.
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Andrews, Troy. 2015. Trombone Shorty. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Hailing from the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Along with esteemed illustrator Bryan Collier, Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography about how he followed his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, until he reached international stardom. Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music." 2016 Caldecott Honor Book 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustration Award Winner.
Hailing from the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Along with esteemed illustrator Bryan Collier, Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography about how he followed his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, until he reached international stardom. Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music." 2016 Caldecott Honor Book 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustration Award Winner.
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Johnson, Angela. 2005. A Sweet Smell of Roses. New York: Simon & Schuster
A Sweet Smell of Roses is the story of two young sisters who sneak out of the house in order to be part of a civil rights march in their town. The two young girls get to witness amazing things, like getting to see and hear Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to clap and sing with the crowd they march with, and to be carried on the shoulders of some members of the crowd as they travel through the streets. They also get to experience the negative aspects of the march, in the form of words of hate that are yelled at the group along the way. By the end of the book, they make their way back home to an anxious mother who is very happy to see them. Throughout the book, we hear about the sweet smell of roses that is constantly in the air.
A Sweet Smell of Roses is the story of two young sisters who sneak out of the house in order to be part of a civil rights march in their town. The two young girls get to witness amazing things, like getting to see and hear Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to clap and sing with the crowd they march with, and to be carried on the shoulders of some members of the crowd as they travel through the streets. They also get to experience the negative aspects of the march, in the form of words of hate that are yelled at the group along the way. By the end of the book, they make their way back home to an anxious mother who is very happy to see them. Throughout the book, we hear about the sweet smell of roses that is constantly in the air.
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Hill, Carrick Laban. 2013. When the Beat Was Born. New York City: Roaring Book Press
When the Beat was Born by Laban Carrick Hill, is a stunning example of just how wonderfully diverse the world of children's biographies is getting. This picture book offers a look into the life of DJ Kool Herc, one of the founders and innovators of hip-hop music.
Hill's words, when combined with Theodore Taylor III's crisp, colorful illustrations, depict how a boy named Clive left Kingston, Jamaica, for the Bronx. Clive wanted to be a DJ, slinging an arsenal of records and getting crowds amped up at parties.Clive's athletic build and affinity for sports led to kids calling him Hercules. A couple of slight alterations led to Clive finally finding the perfect stage name: DJ Kool Herc. Herc started setting up his own parties, borrowing his father's stereo. He learned that if you had two turntable record players running simultaneously, you could spin two copies of the same record. By focusing on a certain instrumental part, you could make a ten-second piece last as long as you want. Someone starts chanting over the music, and you have the beginnings of rap. The book manages to concisely explain the earliest beginnings of hip-hop culture, including dance moves and how the movement's influence erupted. Pretty soon a bunch of people like Afrika Bambaataa, Grand Master Flash, and Jazzy Jeff were wanting to be DJ's, too, except they were all looking up to Clive now.
Hill also has a splendid author's note in the back explaining why Herc's music is so important to him. There's also a timeline for the evolution of hip-hop up from 1973 to 1986. Ultimately, it is so refreshing to see how children's biographies are starting to focus on a greater variety of subjects. When the Beat Was Born would be as effective for an elementary school biography project as any president's story. It would also have a much better soundtrack!