Even as a young girl, Mahalia Jackson loved gospel music. Life was difficult for Mahalia growing up, but singing gospel always lifted her spirits and made her feel special. She soon realized that her powerful voice stirred everyone around her, and she wanted to share that with the world. Although she was met with hardships along the way, Mahalia never gave up on her dreams. Mahalia’s extraordinary journey eventually took her to the historic March on Washington, where she sang to thousands and inspired them to find their own voices. With a timeline and further reading section, this book is perfect for Common Core.
Debut author Nina Nolan’s book, Mahalia Jackson, perfectly captures the amazing story of how Jackson became the Queen of Gospel. Along with John Holyfield’s gorgeous illustrations this is an amazing biography on a woman from history with a powerful singing voice, that started with nothing but stuck to the feelings in her heart. Staying true to herself she even ends up at the historic March on Washington. The last page of the book even includes a timeline of all the important years and milestones of her life. A great first biography for little readers in the 4 to 8 age range.
This classic picture book from Pulitzer Prize?winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks, paired with full-color illustrations by Caldecott Honor artist Faith Ringgold, explores the lives and dreams of the children who live together in an urban neighborhood. In 1956, Gwendolyn Brooks created thirty-four poems that celebrated the joy, beauty, imagination, and freedom of childhood. Bronzeville Boys and Girls features these timeless poems, which remind us that whether we live in the Bronzeville section of Chicago or any other neighborhood, childhood is universal in its richness of emotions and new experiences.
Caldecott Honor artist Faith Ringgold takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the Harlem Renaissance when Lonnie and his uncle Bates go back to Harlem in the 1920s. Along the way, they meet famous writers, musicians, artists, and athletes, from Langston Hughes and W.E.B. Du Bois to Josephine Baker and Zora Neale Hurston and many more, who created this incredible period. And after an exciting day of walking with giants, Lonnie fully understands why the Harlem Renaissance is so important.
Faith Ringgold’s bold and vibrant illustrations capture the song and dance of the Harlem Renaissance while her story will captivate young readers, teaching them all about this significant time in our history. A glossary and further reading list are included in the back of the book, making this perfect for Common Core.
Harlem Renaissance Party takes the reader back in time to learn all about the Harlem Renaissance and the important people that were a part of it. This book is written in a way for children to learn and enjoy while also looking at the beautiful illustrations. It includes a glossary of important historic people and what they did in the back of the book. A great read for the 5-10 crowd.
Here is the remarkable true story of how former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the preacher and orator Sojourner Truth, as told by acclaimed author Ann Turner and award-winning illustrator James Ransome. An iconic figure of the abolitionist and women’s rights movements, Sojourner Truth famously spoke out for equal rights roughly one hundred years before the civil rights movement.
This beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched picture book biography underwent expert review by two historians of the period. My Name Is Truth includes a detailed historical note, an archival photo, and a list of suggested supplemental reading materials. Written in the fiery and eloquent voice of Sojourner Truth herself, this moving story will captivate readers just as Sojourner’s passionate words enthralled her listeners.
Slavery might be an uncomfortable topic for some parents to share with really young children but this important part of history is shared in My Name is Truth. It is written in a way for the 6-10 crowd to understand but without ignoring what actually happened. The illustrations really add to the story by putting an image in a child’s head.
It is always great to branch out and read new books that one might not have picked up otherwise. These are great books to learn more about history and you certainly don’t need a special month to read one of these books. It is important to take the opportunity to teach young children about other cultures and how they helped shape our country’s
history.
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