Juneteenth for Young Readers

On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln.

To learn more about the significance of Juneteenth and how it is celebrated across the country, and share stories of Black joy and Black excellence, try these titles for young readers from ICPL.

Juneteenth for Mazie

Floyd Cooper

jE Cooper
Picture Books

Little Mazie wants the freedom to stay up late, but her father explains what freedom really means in the story of Juneteenth, and how her ancestors celebrated their true freedom.

The story behind Juneteenth

Jack Reader

j394.263 Reader
History

"Juneteenth, which is celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Interestingly, this holiday began in 1865--more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. News spread much slower back then, and when slaves in Texas finally learned of their freedom, the holiday was born. In this book, readers are given an in-depth look at the history of Juneteenth, including the events leading up to its creation. Readers will love learning about how this important moment in U.S. history is celebrated each year"--

Let's celebrate Emancipation Day & Juneteenth

Barbara DeRubertis

j394.263 DeRubertis
History

Abolitionists like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth fought for freedom from slavery for all African Americans. They fought with speeches, writings, and even daring rescue missions! Every year on both Emancipation Day and Juneteenth we honor and continue their fight for freedom and equality.

I am every good thing

Derrick Barnes

jE Barnes
Picture Books

Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.

I am smart, I am blessed, I can do anything!

Alissa Holder

jE Holder
Picture Books

"Based on a viral video comes the story of one boy's positive energy and how a sunny outlook can turn everything around. It's a new day and Ayaan has woken up on the wrong side of the bed, where nothing feels quite right. What if he doesn't know the answer at school? What if he messes up? But as he sets out that morning, all it takes is a few reminders from his mom and some friends in the neighborhood to remind him that a new day is a good day because... HE IS SMART, HE IS BLESSED, AND HE CAN DO ANYTHING!"--

Magnificent homespun brown : a celebration

Samara Cole Doyon

jE Doyon
Picture Books

Joyful young narrators celebrate feeling at home in one's own skin.

Juneteenth

R. J. Bailey

j394.263 Bailey
Picture Books

You will learn about this American holiday and the ways people celebrate it. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage emergent readers as they explore this unique holiday.

All different now : Juneteenth, the first day of freedom

Angela Johnson

jE Johnson
Picture Books

In 1865, members of a family start their day as slaves, working in a Texas cotton field, and end it celebrating their freedom on what came to be known as Juneteenth.

Hair love

Matthew A Cherry

jE Cherry
Picture Books

A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.

Crown : an ode to the fresh cut

Derrick D. Barnes

jE Barnes
Picture Books

Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair.

All because you matter

Tami Charles

jE Charles
Picture Books

A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and Brown children everywhere reminds them how much they matter, that they have always mattered and they always will.

Hey black child

Useni Eugene Perkins

jE Perkins
Picture Books

"A lyrical, empowering poem that celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young ones to dream big and achieve their goals"--

Black is a rainbow color

Angela Joy

jE Joy
Picture Books

"A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on"--

Brown baby lullaby

Tameka Fryer Brown

jE Brown
Picture Books

An illustrated lullaby featuring a busy, independent, beloved brown baby being prepared for bedtime.

A girl like me

Angela Johnson

jE Johnson
Picture Books

"Empower young readers to embrace their individuality, reject societal limitations, and follow their dreams. This inspiring picture book brings together a poem by acclaimed author Angela Johnson and Nina Crews's distinctive photocollage illustrations to celebrate girls of color" --

Honey, I love

Eloise Greenfield

jE Greenfie
Picture Books

A young girl expresses what she loves about life.

I am perfectly designed

Karamo Brown

jE Brown
Picture Books

A father and son share a day in the city and a conversation about what they love about each other.

Parker looks up : an extraordinary moment

Parker Curry

jE Curry
Picture Books

"This book is based on the viral photograph of African American toddler Parker Curry, who, during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, became mesmerized by Amy Sherald's portrait of Michelle Obama, who she thought was a queen. One rainy afternoon, Parker's mother (co-author Jessica Curry) makes the suggestion that they visit the museum, little sister Ava in tow. At the museum, they see Parker's friend Gia and her mother. The three girls dance through the halls of the museum noticing horses, flowers, and feathers in the famous works of art. Just before they leave, Parker notices the portrait of Michelle Obama, stops in her tracks, and that viral photographic moment is born. Parker's thoughts about what she sees when she looks at Michelle Obama are assumed by her expressive gaze, well captured by illustrator Jackson. The reimagined images of the paintings are brilliant. In one, Einstein seems to be looking down on Parker and Gia, who laugh at his "bushy mustache," and ballerinas in "frilly white tutus" step out of the frame to join the girls as they dance down a hall. (The actual titles of the paintings are included in the backmatter.) One illustration shows a diverse group of children engaging in various activities, which invites young readers to imagine a world of possibilities for themselves, the way Parker does."--Kirkus

M is for melanin : a celebration of the black child

Tiffany Rose

jE Rose
Picture Books

Each letter of the alphabet contains affirming, Black-positive messages, from A is for Afro, to F is for Fresh, to W is for Worthy. This book teaches children their ABCs while encouraging them to love the skin that they're in.

Looking for Bongo

Eric Velasquez

jE Velasque
Picture Books

"When a boy's abuela accuses him of being careless with his beloved Bongo, he devises a trap and catches the toy thief red-handed"--

Layla's happiness

Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie

jE Tallie
Picture Books

Seven-year-old Layla divulges many things that make her happy, especially her family and their community garden.

Jabari jumps

Gaia Cornwall

jE Cornwall
Picture Books

After he passes his swimming test, little Jabari decides he's ready to try jumping off the diving board, but when the big moment arrives, Jabari needs to work up the courage to jump.

In plain sight

Richard Jackson

jE Jackson
Picture Books

"An ailing grandfather and his helpful granddaughter play a unique game of seek and find"--

I got the rhythm

Connie Schofield-Morrison

jE Schofield-Morrison
Picture Books

On a trip to the park with her mother, a young girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her and begins to move to the beat, finally beginning an impromptu dance in which other childen join her.

Me & Mama

Cozbi A. Cabrera

jE Cabrera
Picture Books

For a little girl on a rainy day, the best place to be is with Mama.