Friday, February 21, 2014

Black History Month is here now!!!



Quote of the Day!

    "Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by colour."
                                                                 -author unknown


The month is quickly coming to an end and I have to address the Black History Month that we celebrate during the month of February.  The following books are great for kids of all ages and tell stories of African-Americans overcoming adversity and making their multicultural mark on the world.  I have some amazing books for you to check out.  Enjoy!


 
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

Author: Ellen Levine
Ages: 6+

This is an incredible story of Henry "Box" who escaped slavery by actually shipping himself to the north in a wooden crate.  We learn that as a boy, Henry doesn't know his age because nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays.  As an adult working in a warehouse, he decides to take a major risk and mail himself in a box - to a world where he can have a "birthday" (his first day of freedom).








The Jazz Man

Author: Karen Ehrhardt
Ages: 3+











Music and dance dominate the theme of this great book.  Preschoolers will love this top-tapping, finger-snapping celebration and tribute to African-American jazz greats set to the rhythm of the class children's song, "This Old Man."  The quirky, lively illustrations invite kids to "Deedle-di-bop!" along with classic musicians Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bill "Bojangles" and many, many others.  




Whoever You Are
Author : Mem Fox
Ages: 4+

This book is about diversity and equality.  It introduces the pre-schooler to these concepts and handles it so well.  Award-winning author Mem Fox tells kids that wherever they are, whatever they look like, and no matter their customs, there are other kids like them all around the world.  "Joys are the same, and love is the same. Pain is the same, and blood is the same."







 

Tar Beach

Author: Faith Ringgold
Ages: 5+

In 1939 young Cassie Louis Lightfoot is picnicking with her family and friends on "tar beach" - the hot, black rooftop of her family's Harlem apartment. Cassie lays down and dreams that she is soaring above New York City - finding beauty in the views  of the George Washington Bridge (which her father helped built) while also noting the signs of social injustice in the crowded city below. 









What Color is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors

Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld
Ages:  8+

You will find out very interesting information about African-American inventors.  Did you know that they helped invent the ice-cream scoop, the refrigerated food truck, cortisone cream and open-heart surgery?  Kids through this book can learn about the great geniuses behind important inventions, product improvements and scientific and medical discoveries that we just take for granted. 








Other great books for your consideration are:

*  Follow the Drinking Gourd - Jeanette Winter - Ages 5+

* The Other Side - Jacqueline Woodson - Ages  5+

* Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Doreen Rappaport - Ages 5+

* Moses: When Harriet tubman Let Her People to Freedom - Carole Boston Weatherford - Ages 5+

* Teammates - Peter Golenbock - Ages 6+

* Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African-Americans - ages 8+

* Who was Rosa Parks? - Yona Zeldis McDonough - Ages 8+

* The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 - Ages 8+

* The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano - Ann Cameron - Ages 9+

* NightJohn - Gary Paulsen  - Ages 12+


All these fabulous books are highly recommended.  

Read on and read always!  Have a beautiful day everyone.

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