Written & Illustrated by: Ashley Bryan For ages: 10-12 years (grades 4-6) Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Enslavement, Enslaved People, Historical Figures, Historical Events, Poetry, Historic Narratives, Narratives of Enslavement. Summary: This book is comprised of poems telling the stories of 11 enslaved people. Records of these individuals were found in a historical document owned by the author himself, who…
Category: Poetry
Keep Climbing, Girls
Written by: Beah E. Richards (Introduction by LisaGay Hamilton) Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie For ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Self-Expression, Acceptance, Self-Acceptance, Independence. Summary: This is a poem about girl power! The main character is determined to prove her bravery and climb to the top of the tree, despite threats from the intimidating figure…
A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks
Written by: Alice Faye Duncan Illustrated by: Xia Gordon For ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Poetry, Black Culture & Identity, Women Poets, Own Voices, Trailblazer, Historical Figure, Historical Events. Summary: This book is a fascinating rendition of poetry surrounding Gwendolyn Brooks, some of it is her own poetry and some is the author’s. The author…
Around Our Way on Neighbor’s Day
Written by: Tameka Fryer Brown Illustrated by: Charlotte Riley-Webb For ages: 4-7 years Language: English Topics Covered: Community, POC-Centric Narratives, Friendship, Poetry. Summary: This is a bright, fun, lyrical adventure through a close-knit neighborhood during the celebration of Neighbors’ Day (which could be described as a block party). The narrator is a young girl with yellow ribbons in her hair. She…
Sound Off Saturday Featuring: Mama Tortuga!
Happy Saturday! We are thrilled to have been able to connect this week with Johana, also known as Mama Tortuga! She is a powerhouse of bilingual and herbal activism and knowledge, with a flair for business. Johana is a hustler and has tons of fantastic projects that she’s currently working on. We hope you enjoy…
Sound Off Saturday- Featuring: Tyler Vile!
Happy Saturday! There’s a heat wave hitting us here in New England, so unless we venture to go swimming in the river later (which is also one of our favorite places to watch the sunset with a cold drink!) we will be inside all day! We are so stoked to feature Tyler this week, who…
Poetry? Oh Noetry! (I’ll show myself out)
We’ve made it to Day 14, and we’re excited to take a break from prose to explore the wonders of some #poetry books that are #smashingstereotypes! Poetry is just as important as prose, and it is so essential to educate children on the merits of verse, and the creative majesty that poems can harness. So…
Tan to Tamarind: Poems about the Color Brown
Written by: Malathi Michelle Iyengar Illustrated by: Jamel Akib For ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Self-Acceptance, Self-Esteem, POC-Centric Narratives, Poetry, Family, Community, Culture & Traditions. Summary: This book is a collection of poetry that celebrates the different tones and shades of brown skin! Each poem is titled with a shade: Bay, Sienna, Topaz, Sandalwood, and many more!…
Coconut Kind of Day
Written by: Lynn Joseph Illustrated by: Sandra Speidel For Ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Culture & Traditions, Caribbean Islands, Poetry, Community, Family, Love. Summary: This book is a collection of poems about life in the Caribbean islands. The narrator is a young girl of color, and these short poems…