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Black History Reading

Black History Month is an opportunity to introduce even our youngest learners to stories of courage, creativity, leadership, and achievement. Through reading together at home, families can help children begin to understand that history is made by people from many backgrounds whose dreams and determination shape our world.

Kindergarten Librarian Marybeth Kufen has thoughtfully compiled a collection of age-appropriate titles for families to share. These selections include engaging fiction stories as well as accessible biographies highlighting trailblazers such as the first African American astronaut, the first African American ballerina, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each book is chosen with care to support early literacy, spark curiosity, and nurture empathy and understanding in young readers.

We invite families to explore these titles together and enjoy meaningful conversations that celebrate history, perseverance, and the power of big dreams.

Ablaze cover art
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.

Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the twentieth century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.

Martin book cover
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Doreen Rappaport
 
Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of Dr. Martin Luther King’s most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in an accessible way, while Bryan Collier's stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and other backmatter round out this addition to the acclaimed Big Words series of biographies.

Firebird book cover art
Firebird

by Misty Copeland

In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.

Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, striking illustrations that are some of Caldecott Honoree Christopher Myers's best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere.

Sulwe cover art
Sulwe

by Lupita Nyong'o

Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

Cover Art for Mae Among the Stars
Mae Among the Stars

by Roda Ahmed

Grades Preschool - 3

A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts.  When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.