Alice Faye Duncan’s picture book Just like a Mama (Millner/Simon, 3–7 years), illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, explores the special bond between a young girl and her “right now” caretaker Mama Rose, who is “just like a mama to me.” The story was inspired by Duncan’s own family and is...
Just like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan; illus. by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow Preschool, Primary Millner/Simon 32 pp. 1/20 978-1-5344-6183-3 $17.99 e-book ed. 978-1-5344-6184-0 $10.99 An homage to all the African American women who are mothering children not biologically their own. Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose because “Mommy...
Hands Up!by Breanna J. McDaniel; illus. by Shane W. EvansPreschool, Primary Dial 32 pp. g1/19 978-0-525-55231-4 $17.99 In this affirmation of self-love for children of color, an exuberant brown-skinned girl recounts many situations in which she puts her “hands up”: playing peek-a-boo as a very young child, then, as she gets...
What Is Given from the Heartby Patricia C. McKissack; illus. by April HarrisonPrimary, Intermediate Schwartz & Wade/Random 40 pp. g 1/19 978-0-375-83615-2 $17.99Library ed. 978-0-375-93615-9 $20.99e-book ed. 978-0-375-98800-4 $10.99 From the late Patricia McKissack, a story of giving — even when it seems one has nothing to spare. James Otis and his...
Leader: Hey Nick.Nick: Yeah!L: Hey Nick.N: Yeah!L: Can you Gruff?N: Gruff-a-what?L: Can you Gruff?N: Gruff-a-lo.N: My hands are high, my feet are low, and this is how I Gruffalo. [Nick dances]All: His hands are high, his feet are low, and this is how he Gruffalos! [Everyone mimics Nick’s dance]All: Gruff-a-lo,...
Martin Rising: Requiem for a Kingby Andrea Davis Pinkney; illus. by Brian PinkneyIntermediate, Middle School Scholastic 128 pp.1/18 978-0-545-70253-9 $19.99A creative poetic celebration of the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. that also, as a song for the dead, includes a meticulous explanation of how and why he died. Henny...
I Am Lovedby Nikki Giovanni; illus. by Ashley BryanPrimary Dlouhy/Atheneum 32 pp.1/18 978-1-5344-0492-2 $17.99e-book ed. 978-1-5344-0493-9 $10.99A legendary pair presents a volume of verse worth remembering. Bryan’s recognizably vibrant, colorful, and moving illustrations accompany a selection of Giovanni’s poems (both new and previously published). The electric blue, sunny yellow, warm...
Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story!by JaNay Brown-Wood; illus. by Priscilla BurrisPreschool Charlesbridge 32 pp.8/17 978-1-58089-712-9 $16.99e-book ed. 978-1-60734-868-9 $9.99No matter how big Grandma’s extended family grows, she always finds room for relatives and friends. The young, brown-skinned narrator describes in (generally) metered verse a gathering at Grandma’s house. The...
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cutby Derrick Barnes; illus. by Gordon C. JamesPrimary Millner/Bolden Books/Agate 32 pp.10/17 978-1-57284-224-3 $17.95e-book ed. 978-1-57284-808-5 $17.95Brown skin, a dimpled smile, and a fresh haircut worthy of a standing ovation. Barnes takes a weekly, mundane activity for an African American boy — a trip...