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Picture Books by Black Authors
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Dancing in the wings
by Debbie Allen
Sassy, fearful of not being good, dances in the wings and waits for the right opportunity to make her debut, thus when the director of a dance festival comes to town, Sassy decides that the time has come and makes her presence known to all.
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How to read a book
by Kwame Alexander
Evocative poetry by the Newbery Medal-winning author of The Crossover and sensory artwork by the two-time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of The Right Word take readers on a lyrical adventure through the world of reading. 100,000 first printing
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Surf's up
by Kwame Alexander
While his friend Bro reads his book, Dude takes him to the beach, but when they get there, Dude wants to know how the story ends
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The undefeated
by Kwame Alexander
"The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree"
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The king of kindergarten
by Derrick D. Barnes
A Newbery Honor-winning author offers an empowering story about a confident little boy who takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, encouraging new students with a reassuring message about this exciting milestone. Simultaneous eBook.
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I Am Every Good Thing
by Derrick D. Barnes
Proud of everything that makes him who he is, a young Black narrator celebrates the creativity, adventurous spirit, humor and loyalty that shape his undeterred spirit and confident goals, even when people who do not understand try to limit his potential. By the award-winning creators of Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
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Where's Rodney?
by Carmen Bogan
..Rodney is a restless student, but when his class takes a trip to the park, he finally has something to sit still for
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Grandma's tiny house : a counting story!
by JaNay Brown-Wood
A rhyming concept book reinforces early counting skills through the number 15 in a story of a loving grandmother whose neighbors, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and grandkids crowd into her tiny house and pile the table with foods for a yummy feast. Ages 2-6.
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Imani's moon
by JaNay Brown-Wood
Little Imani of the Maasai people longs to do something great, like touching the moon, but the other children just laugh at her
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I Am Enough by Grace ByersA New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner! This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another—from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo.
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My hair is a garden
by Cozbi A Cabrera
After being teased yet again about her unruly hair, MacKenzie consults her neighbor, Miss Tillie, who compares hair care with tending her beautiful garden and teaches MacKenzie some techniques. Includes tips for shampooing, conditioning, and protecting black hair, and recipes for hair products
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All Because You Matter
by Tami Charles
A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and Brown children everywhere reminds them how much they matter, that they have always mattered and they always will. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
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Max and the tag-along moon
by Floyd Cooper
Saying good-bye after a visit with his beloved grandfather who reminds him that they both live under the same moon, young Max is astonished to observe the moon following him home and is comforted by the knowledge that the moon will always shine above everyone he loves.
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The ring bearer
by Floyd Cooper
An endearingly illustrated celebration of blended families finds little Jackson diligently preparing for his role as ring-bearer at his mother's wedding while looking out for his new stepsister, who is struggling with her duties as flower girl.
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Truck
by Donald Crews
Follows the journey of a truck from loading to unloading.
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Freight train
by Donald Crews
The train rolls along slowly at first, slowly enough to count the cars, name their colors, and identify their functions, until it starts to pick up speed, chug-chugging across the page in a blur of color, speed, and sound. Reprint. Caldecott Honor Book.
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Snowball
by Nina Crews
A child waits all week for the predicted snow to come.
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Welcome, Precious
by Nikki Grimes
Enhanced with detailed watercolors and poetic text, a sweet celebration of life captures a joyous family happily greeting their new addition and welcoming the newborn into the world.
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Happy to be nappy
by bell hooks
An exuberant, rhythmic, read-aloud celebration of the beauty and joy of "nappy" hair gives many reasons why young African-American children should be proud of who they are.
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Lottie Paris lives here
by Angela Johnson
Relates a day in the life of a little girl who lives with her Papa Pete in a house across from a park.
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Antiracist Baby
by Ibram X. Kendi
Illustrations and rhyming text present nine steps Antiracist Baby can take to improve equity, such as opening our eyes to all skin colors and celebrating all our differences
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Please, puppy, please
by Spike Lee
When two toddlers take on the responsibility of caring for their first pet, a precocious little pup, the little ones quickly realize that they are going to have their hands full as they chase after the energetic new family member who prefers to live by his own rules!
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Please, baby, please
by Spike Lee
Accompanied by energetic illustrations that capture the wonders of childhood, a delightful board book, from the Academy Award-nominated director and his wife, details the surprises and joys of parenthood by following a rambunctious little toddler as she wreaks havoc throughout the house.
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Albidaro and the mischievous dream
by Julius Lester
Chaos results when a dream tells all the children and animals of the world that they should do whatever they want without fear of adult reprisal, and it is up to Albidaro, Guardian of Children, and Olara, Guardian of Animals, to put everyone back where they are supposed to be.
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Chugga-chugga choo-choo
by Kevin Lewis
A rhyming story tells about a freight train's day, from loading freight in the morning to retiring to the roundhouse after the day's work is done.
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Hands up!
by Breanna J. McDaniel
"A young girl lifts her hands up in a series of everyday moments before finally raising her hands in resistance at a protest march"
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Goin' someplace special
by Pat McKissack
Set in the South in the 1950s, 'Tricia Ann is delighted to be able to go "someplace special" all by herself, but when she is faced with signs reading "For Whites Only," she must find the courage inside to continue her journey to the public library, where everyone is welcome. A Coretta Scott King Award Book.
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Don't touch my hair!
by Sharee Miller
Aria loves her soft and bouncy hair, but must go to extremes to avoid people who touch it without permission until, finally, she speaks up. Includes author's note
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Princess hair
by Sharee Miller
Little girls pretending to be princesses celebrate the different shapes, textures, and styles of their black hair
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If you plant a seed
by Kadir Nelson
An acclaimed, award-winning author/illustrator presents a resonant, gently humorous story about the power of even the smallest acts and the rewards of compassion and generosity as two little animals learn the value of kindness while planting seeds in their garden.
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Baby Bear
by Kadir Nelson
Trying to find his way home, a lost bear cub receives wise, comforting advice from the forest animals he encounters, from "trust yourself" to "listen to your heart." By the Coretta Scott King Award and Caldecott Honor-winning artist of Henry's Freedom Box.
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Raising dragons
by Jerdine Nolen
Although her parents are initially leery about their daughter's new friendship with Hank, the baby dragon, their opinion changes with time as they discover just how wonderfully charming, helpful, and friendly Hank truly is.
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Thunder Rose
by Jerdine Nolen
Unusual from the day she is born, Thunder Rose performs all sorts of amazing feats, including building fences, taming a stampeding herd of steers, capturing a gang of rustlers, and turning aside a tornado
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Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong'o
The Academy Award-winning actress presents the story of a little girl with beautiful, midnight-colored skin that makes her feel different from everyone, until a magical journey in the night sky transforms her perspective. Illustrated by the creator of Little Leaders. 250,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
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Hey black child
by Useni Eugene Perkins
The six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient presents a celebration of the wonder and potential of black children, applying his signature evocative cultural imagery to Perkins' inspirational poem. 30,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.
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Max found two sticks
by J. Brian Pinkney
Although he doesn't feel like talking, a young boy responds to questions by drumming on various objects, including a bucket, hat boxes, and garbage cans, echoing the city sounds around him.
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Puppy truck
by J. Brian Pinkney
Wanting a puppy but receiving a toy truck instead, a little boy pets his truck, puts a leash around it and takes it to the park, where he struggles to figure out how to keep it from just sitting still. By the award-winning illustrator of Hand in Hand. 25,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook
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On the ball
by J. Brian Pinkney
"Owen loves soccer, but isn't the best at playing it. After a particularly disastrous day on the field, Owen is benched. He is feeling so low that he doesn't notice the ball rolling away from him until it's too late. In his effort to get it back, he discovers that he has more skills than he realizes"
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Little Red Riding Hood
by Jerry Pinkney
Set in a winter wonderland, this classic retelling of a little girl's visit to Grandmother's house and her encounter with a sly fox is presented in accessible verse with brilliant illustrations.
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The three billy goats Gruff
by Jerry Pinkney
Three billy goats must outwit the big, ugly troll that lives under the bridge they have to cross on their way up the mountain.
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The lion & the mouse
by Jerry Pinkney
Vibrant illustrations bring to life this wordless adaptation of this classic Aesop fable about a merciful lion who spared a mouse's life and the unexpected reward he received for his good deed from the tiny hero.
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These hands
by Hope Lynne Price
Illustrations and simple text describe some of the many things the hands of a young African-American girl and her family can do.
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Cool cuts
by Mechal Renee Roe
The best-selling illustrator of Kamala Harris’ Superheroes Are Everywhere depicts uplifting examples of African American boys and their culturally inspired hairstyles on spreads that repeat the inspiring refrain, “I am born to be awesome!” Illustrations.
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Happy hair
by Mechal Renee Roe
Featuring an empowering call-and-response format, a celebration of self-esteem and diversity by the best-selling illustrator of Kamala Harris’ Superheroes Are Everywhere depicts an assortment of strong African American girls and their beautiful braids, blowouts, puffs and bantus. Illustrations.
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You Matter
by Christian Robinson
The Caldecott Honor- and Coretta Scott King Honor-winning illustrator of Last Stop on Market Street shares empathetic depictions of people from different world regions to highlight the importance of understanding other viewpoints. 200,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
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I got the school spirit
by Connie Schofield-Morrison
The award-winning creators of I Got the Rhythm present an onomatopoeic celebration of the first day of school that follows the experiences of a young girl with energetic school spirit who rallies her classmates through their ABCs and 123s. Illustrations.
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I got the rhythm
by Connie Schofield-Morrison
Walking with her mother to the park, an exuberant little girl hears music in the sounds all around her that inspires her to sniff, snap and shake before bursting into an impromptu dance that is joined by other children. Illustrated by the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning artist of Jazzy Miz Mozetta.
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Kevin and his dad
by Irene Smalls
Kevin feels excitement, pride, pleasure, and love as he spends an entire day working and playing with his father, in a book that celebrates the ordinary things dads and children can do together. By the creators of Jonathan and His Mommy.
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Big Hair, Don't Care by Crystal Swain-bates Lola has curly hair which is much bigger than that of other kids at her school, but she tells anyone who listens how much she loves her hair.
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Bippity Bop barbershop
by Natasha Tarpley
In the companion to I Love My Hair!, Miles makes his first trip to the barbershop with his father and like most little boys, he is afraid of the sharp scissors, the buzzing razor, and the prospect of picking a new hairstyle.
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I Love My Hair
by Natasha Tarpley
A young African-American girl describes the different, wonderful ways she can wear her hair, in an empowering board book that encourages African-American children to not only feel good about their special hair, but to also feel proud of their heritage.
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Astro girl
by Ken Wilson-Max
A little girl teams up with her father to role-play her dream of becoming an astronaut by pretending to be in zero gravity, eating food from a tube and doing cookie-sheet science experiments, until her mother’s return reveals who inspired the girl’s ambitions. Illustrations.
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Lenny in the garden
by Ken Wilson-Max
An ideal first picture book about a parent and child from an award-winining author/illustrator.
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The day you begin
by Jacqueline Woodson
Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider
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Pecan pie baby
by Jacqueline Woodson
When Mama’s pregnancy draws attention away from Gia, she worries that the special bond they share will disappear forever once the baby is born, in a heartwarming story for kids adjusting to the idea of a new family member.
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Each kindness
by Jacqueline Woodson
When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been wrong by making fun of new student Maya's shabby clothes and refusing to play with her.
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