my hair is MAGIC!

more books about black identity English 4-8 years BIPOC Protagonists Self-Esteem Natural Hair Imagination Confidence Family M.L. Marroquin & Tonya Engel Summary: This beautiful ode to one girl’s natural and buoyant hair can only be matched by Tonya Engel’s impossibly gorgeous illustrations. Filled to the brim with confidence and curls, our main character struts through…

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou

Written by: Bethany Hegedus, forward by Colin Johnson Illustrated by: Tonya Engel For ages: 7-10 years  Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Historical Figure, Writer, Activism, Activist. Summary: This is an incredible and lyrical retelling of Maya Angelou’s life, I was hooked instantly upon opening the book.  The poetic words take the reader through the life of Maya from a young…

King and the Dragonflies

Written by: Kacen Callender Cover Art by: Tonya Engel For ages: YA Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Family, LGBTQ, Death, Relationships, Friendship. Summary: We got this book from a friend who received a pre-release copy from the ALA Conference!  We are so excited to have been able to both read and review the book before the release date, because it…