Picture Books

I, Matthew Henson : polar explorer book cover

I, Matthew Henson : polar explorer

Carole Boston Weatherford

jBIOGRAPHY Henson, Matthew Alexander
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

The golden girls of Rio book cover

The golden girls of Rio

Nikkolas Smith

jE Smith
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

The women athletes of the 2016 Summer Olympics captivated the world: Simon Biles, the most decorated American gymnast of all time; Katie Ledecky, who shattered swimming records in multiple events; Michelle Carter, the first American gold medalist in shot put; Simone Manuel, the first African American woman to medal in individual swimming. Their accomplishments amazed us, as did their personal stories of persistence and hard work. [This book] focuses on the paths to glory for these women athletes, how they got their start and rose to meteoric heights in the Rio games. The other swimming and gymnastic teammates are included in the story as well. An inspiring story, bursting with color and action and life, that will make you smile to see these champion athletes as little girls, and to revisit their triumphs in achieving Olympic gold.

Casey's picture

The books takes a look back at the 2016 Olympics and the amazing achievements of female Olympians, including Simone Biles and Simone Manuel. These women rocked the world and just might do it again in Tokyo! -Casey

Firebird book cover

Firebird

Misty Copeland

jE Copeland
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young ballet student, with brown skin like her own, by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful when she was starting out, and that some day, with practice and dedication, the little girl will become a firebird, too. Includes author's note about dancers who led her to find her voice.

Casey's picture

Misty Copeland's picture book autobiography is a triumph. Pair this with the DVD American Ballet Theatre: A History, and/or her long form autobriography, Life in Motion: an unlikely ballerina, to learn more about Misty's career and see her beautiful dancing. -Casey

Thurgood book cover

Thurgood

Jonah Winter

eBOOK
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

"Before Rosa Parks, before Martin Luther King Jr., before the civil rights movement there was Thurgood, fighting for African Americans - and winning. Here is the powerful story of the trailblazer who proved that separate is not equal." --Provided by Publisher.

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Added by Casey

Voice of freedom : Fannie Lou Hamer, spirit of the civil rights movement book cover

Voice of freedom : Fannie Lou Hamer, spirit of the civil rights movement

Carole Boston Weatherford

jBIOGRAPHY Hamer, Fannie Lou
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

Presents a collage-illustrated treasury of poems and spirituals inspired by the life and work of civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Farmer Will Allen and the growing table book cover

Farmer Will Allen and the growing table

Jacqueline Briggs Martin

jE Martin
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

The story of former basketball star and current urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, whose vision of gardening from abandoned urban sites led to a grassroots feeding craze.

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Preaching to the chickens : the story of young John Lewis book cover

Preaching to the chickens : the story of young John Lewis

Jabari Asim

jE Asim
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

Casey's picture

John Lewis's early life is chronicled here and it is beautifully done. If you haven't read about how he used to preach to his flock, I can't imagine a more poignant time. -Casey

Schomburg : the man who built a library book cover

Schomburg : the man who built a library

Carole Boston Weatherford

jBIOGRAPHY Schomburg, Arthur Alfonso
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

Traces legal clerk Arturo Schomburg's efforts to curate a collection of African books, letters, music, and art.

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Little leaders : bold women in black history book cover

Little leaders : bold women in black history

Vashti Harrison

eBOOK
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies

Casey's picture

This is the first installment in Vashti Harrison's lovely series. The biographies are short, illustrations are really cute, and the figures she has chosen to highlight are great to get to know. -Casey