The focus for Black History Month this year is JOY! Gone are the days when we spend 28 days ONLY reliving Black pain, struggle, trauma and oppression as our main focus. We don’t want to ignore or erase our history but rather focus on stories of triumph, resilience, perseverance and great accomplishment in spite of. So here are 12 books that speak to both our history AND our joy.
- The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi tells the story of Black people in America starting in African. The people then cross the Atlanta through the middle passage, suffer enslavement, and persevere through the civil rights movement. It ends with present day struggles. This all encompassing book centers on the 7 principles of Kwanzaa but should not be limited to just that holiday. This is a keepsake, a coffee table book and with Loveiswise’s beautiful illustrations simply a work of art!
- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson is a gorgeously illustrated look at the origins of Africans taken to America by the middle passage. The term “born on the water” refers essentially to the birth of a new people merged from different tribes in Africa to become what we now call African Americans. It ends with the birth of the first African child born in America, the first true African-American.
- Bold Words from Black Women curated by Dr. Tamara Pizzouli is another coffee table book with two page spreads featuring 50 Black women leaders and their most famous sayings.
- Who are You’re People by Bakari Sellers is a sweet embrace of African-American culture and being proud of your people and where you came from.
- Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson I found this book at our local library and even though it’s on the longer side for a picture book I read it all in one sitting. It’s a great story about quilting and one girls journey from enslavement to freedom.
- A History of Me by Adrea Theodore this one made me tear up just a little. A mother’s recounting of her own experience being the only brown face in school serves a powerful message for her own daughter facing similar challenges. A moving book for anyone who has ever been the only… in a room.
- Young, Gifted, and Black: 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins. This book is SO fun to look at! Andrea Pippins signature style of illustration just pops right off the page as we are introduced to Black History greats like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes and lesser known figures like chessmaster Maurice Ashley and congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. This one is a stand out because it spotlights Black people from all over the world.
- This is the Rope: A Story of the Great Migration by Jaqueline Woodson. It starts with a little girl from the south finding a rope under a tree right before her family migrates north. We follow the rope as it’s handed down through 3 generations.
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander I might feature this book every year because it’s such an essential part of any Black History Month collection. Anything Kadir Nelson illustrates is fabulous but Kwame Alexanders words stir something in me. This is a strong, poetic and bold poem that ask us not to forget those that were undefeated by racism.
- Sing A Song by Kelly Starling-Lyons I’m a huge fan of songs turned into books and this one based on the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, is my favorite. It doesn’t tell the origin of this song, but rather the origin of one girls connection to this particular song. Starting with her great-great grandfather and passed down through key moments in the families history we see the songs significance to each generation. This book is a gem from start to finish.
- Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford is a fun! fun! fun! read aloud. Although I have been to New Orleans I did not know the history of Congo Square. Still standing today, Congo Square is were enslaved people were allowed to gather on Sunday’s, their one day off. They danced, sang, ate and worshipped together. With so many different languages, tribes, customs and beats coming together, New Orelans’ unique music and culture was born.
- The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez this is a favorite of mine. A FANTASTIC rhyming look at Black History from A to Z. With bright, cartoon-like illustrations, this one is not to be missed. If you’re looking for my activities or printables to go with this book you can find them here.
For more great book recommendations for Black History Month make sure to follow @dramamamareads on instagram all February long.
