Have you seen the excellence being published in picture book biographies lately? During Black History Month, when I want to take a deep dive into the legacy of one particular person I turn to biography books. They are always so chock full of information in the text and usually in the author’s notes in the back, that I’m learning right along with my kids. The slew of amazing “bio-books” that have come out would add so much depth to homeschool or classroom lessons. Here are 12 of my favorite, about Brave Black Men in Black History:
- The Faith of Elijah Cummings: The North Star of Equal Justice by Carole Boston Weatherford beautiful illustrations by Laura Freeman give life to straightforward highlights of politician and civil rights champion Elijah Cummings’ life. Peppered with his best quotes throughout the book, we see key moments in his life, like marching to integrate a pool at age 11. Overcoming racism and humble beginnings as one of 7 children, his parents shaped his life and instilled values and an impressive work ethic that led him to greatness.
- 2. King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin by Stephen Costanza with a forward dedicated to his mentor Ashley Bryan, Stephen Costanza’s tribute to jazz pianist Scott Joplin is simply a work of art. Scott Joplin’s life is laid out like the beautifully illustrated quilts on the page. Costanza does and expert job at piecing together a compelling life story, they way Joplin combined music styles to create ragtime. With wonder, joy and onomatopoeia buzzing and plonking on every page, this one is a MUST READ!
- 3. Moving Forward: From Space Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alston Yates by Chris Barton BRAVO to Chris Barton on this well written, longer form, biography about Airman Alton Yates. Still alive today, Alton’s story, from childhood to old age, is a fascinating tale of a modern day warrior. He was enlisted in the US Air force and volunteered to test safety equipment for car and space travel. He also joined the NAACP, joined the sit-in protests at Woolworth’s lunch counter and was badly injured on Ax Handle Sunday in Jacksonville, Florida’s Hemming Park. This book is both inspiring and tough. The illustrations of the riot are very real. It has a 6-10yr old reading recommendation, but definitely 8+. That being said it is a stand-out on this list for being so well done.
- 4. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney husband and wife team, Andrea and Brian Pinkney, make the tough topic of the 1960 Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in easily digestible and visually stunning. This picture book celebrates the 50th anniversary of the day that four college students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing civil rights movement. Also noteworthy is the pull out in the middle of the book of a winding lunch counter. Really Impressive. My husband was music composer on an animated short loosely based on this book. To learn more about it click the picture below.
- 5. The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Baretta gorgeous illustrations by Frank Morrison from a book we’ve check out the library several times. This one tells the story of a young George Washington Carver, with great visual detail about his secret childhood garden, the inspiration for his lifetime work. He would go from enslavement to famed botanist, scientist and inventor. George Washington Carver is always a fun Black History Month figure to research with kids. Activities like listing his inventions, to gardening projects make him one to study!
- 6. Little People, Big Dreams: Stevie Wonder by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara Steveland Judkins was on track to becoming a star by 8yrs old. Renamed Stevie Wonder, this little boy would go on to write some of the biggest songs of the 1970’s. Number 56 in the Little people, Big Dreams series to be exact, the biography of living legend Stevie Wonder, is a joy and not to be missed.
- 7. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe Basquiat knew from a very young age that he wanted to be an artist. With his mother, Maltide, drawing on the floor at his side, and his papa Gerard playing jazz albums, Jean-Michel was raised on art, books, museum and the pulse of Brooklyn, NY. Javaka Steptoes collage illustrations are moving and capture the spirit of Basquiat’s short life and the path to achieving his dream, which he did. Jean-Michel Basquiat became a famous artist.
- 8. When The Beat Was Born: DJ Cool Herc and the Creation of Hip-Hop by Laban Carrick Hill if you have a hip-hop head in your home, this book makes a great Black History Month connection. On a hot summer day in the Bronx, 1973, Clive Campbell creates a cool new way to play records using two turn-tables instead of one. This new sound made kids dance harder, made gangs stop fighting to dance battle, and would change American culture.
- 9. Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison I love Vashti Harrison’s illustrations, they are delicate and sweet and I’m still waiting on a coloring book, LOL! This small anthology features approximately 40 lesser known legends. If you’re looking for key figures like President Obama or Martin Luther King, Jr. they are only short footnotes in the back. But you will find Alvin Ailey, Jacob Lawrence, James Baldwin, Bass Reeves and John Lewis.
- 10. Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith a biography in graphic novel style? Yes, please! Highlighting the most well known figures: Bass Reeves, Stagecoach Mary and Bob Lemmons , this one is a quick read but chock full of information. I was really suprised by how much I didn’t know about this portion of Black History. I’d recommend this one for 3rd grade and up
- 11. Just a Lucky So and So: The Story of Louis Armstrong by Lisa Cline-Ransome the story of the great “Satchmo”, a poor Black American kid from New Orleans who would change the style of jazz is wonderfully told by Lisa Cline-Ransom. Louis Armstrong would become known for his trumpet playing, and improvisational scatting. This book leaves you wanting more about this jazz giant. Also fascinating is the role his wife played in his becoming famous. You can check out the review on her picture book biography Born To Swing: Lil’ Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz here.
- 12. Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and his Green Book by Keila V. Dawson The Green Book was the travel guide published during the U.S. segregation era that identified businesses that would accept Black customers. Keila Dawson does a great job of explaining to a young audience how hard it was for Black Americans to travel during segregation and how and why Victor Hugo created the Green Book. Selling quickly to Black families, musicians and at gas stations The Green Book kept growing in size and sold around 2 million copies before the last copy was printed in the late 60s. It also became a way for Black Americans to learn about their history, Black achievements and colleges and universities that would accept Black students. This book is an excellent way to share how Black Americans worked together to better their situation under Jim Crow.
For more great book recommendations for Black History Month make sure to follow @dramamamareads on instagram all February long.
