African / African American
Recommended books, reading lists, and bibliographies of children's books about Africa or African Americans can be found here.
Children's Book Review - Portraits of African-American Heroes
Nonfiction Children's Books - "Portraits of African-American Heroes" by Tonya Boldon, with full-page portraits by Ansel Pitcairn, contains three-page biographies and a portrait of 20 remarkable African American men and women, from abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass in the nineteenth century and artist Jacob Lawrence in the twentieth century to Brown University president Ruth Simmons in the twenty-first century.
Nonfiction Children's Books - "Portraits of African-American Heroes" by Tonya Boldon, with full-page portraits by Ansel Pitcairn, contains three-page biographies and a portrait of 20 remarkable African American men and women, from abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass in the nineteenth century and artist Jacob Lawrence in the twentieth century to Brown University president Ruth Simmons in the twenty-first century.
Guide Article: Spotlight on Artist Jerry Pinkney
Over the years, Jerry Pinkney has gained a reputation as both a fine artist and as an award winning illustrator of children's books. Pinkney's body of work has tended to focus on multicultural and African American themes.
Over the years, Jerry Pinkney has gained a reputation as both a fine artist and as an award winning illustrator of children's books. Pinkney's body of work has tended to focus on multicultural and African American themes.
Guide Book Review: "Faraway Home"
"Faraway Home" is a gem. Both the text by Jane Kurtz and the watercolors by E.B. Lewis are exceptional. Both the words and the artwork clearly express the poignancy of being far from home (in this case Ethiopia), while at the same time celebrating the home that comes with a loving family.
"Faraway Home" is a gem. Both the text by Jane Kurtz and the watercolors by E.B. Lewis are exceptional. Both the words and the artwork clearly express the poignancy of being far from home (in this case Ethiopia), while at the same time celebrating the home that comes with a loving family.
Guide Book Review: "John Henry"
Julius Lester's picture book, "John Henry," is based on the African American folk ballad "John Henry." In 1990, the book, which was illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, was recognized as a Caldecott Honor Book for the excellence of its illustrations.
Julius Lester's picture book, "John Henry," is based on the African American folk ballad "John Henry." In 1990, the book, which was illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, was recognized as a Caldecott Honor Book for the excellence of its illustrations.
Guide Book Review: "Let It Shine"
Andrea Davis Pinkney's "Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters" is geared to upper elementary and middle school age children. It covers the lives of ten women, the injustices they fought against, and their accomplishments.
Andrea Davis Pinkney's "Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters" is geared to upper elementary and middle school age children. It covers the lives of ten women, the injustices they fought against, and their accomplishments.
Guide Picks: African American Freedom Fighters
Books about African American freedom fighters that every Amercian should know about, including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ruby Bridges, and Ida B. Wells.
Books about African American freedom fighters that every Amercian should know about, including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ruby Bridges, and Ida B. Wells.
Guide Picks: Kwanzaa Books
Five Kwanzaa books, from a contemporary folktale to an excellent introduction to how African-American families celebrate Kwanzaa.
Five Kwanzaa books, from a contemporary folktale to an excellent introduction to how African-American families celebrate Kwanzaa.
African American Authors and Illustrators
These booklists, as well as the list of writers and artists that follows it, comes from the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. Although the booklists are not annotated, they are divided into four categories: Picture Books, Juvenile Fiction, Youth Fiction and Nonfiction.
These booklists, as well as the list of writers and artists that follows it, comes from the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. Although the booklists are not annotated, they are divided into four categories: Picture Books, Juvenile Fiction, Youth Fiction and Nonfiction.
Africa Access
Use the online database to find children's books, CDs, and other resources that give an accurate view of Africa.
Use the online database to find children's books, CDs, and other resources that give an accurate view of Africa.
African American Culture and Tradition
An annotated list from the Seattle Public Library's that includes cover art summaries of children's books of fiction and nonfiction about African Americans and Africa.
An annotated list from the Seattle Public Library's that includes cover art summaries of children's books of fiction and nonfiction about African Americans and Africa.
African American Books
An excellent, annotated recommended reading list of picture books, fiction, poetry, and nonfiction from The Horn Book Web site.
An excellent, annotated recommended reading list of picture books, fiction, poetry, and nonfiction from The Horn Book Web site.
Books and Teacher's Guides
Random House provides cover art, book summaries, and teacher's guides for a number of African American children's books that would make good topics of study.
Random House provides cover art, book summaries, and teacher's guides for a number of African American children's books that would make good topics of study.