New Books celebrating African American Children

Crown An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
Come to the barber shop and experience this celebration of the confidence, self-esteem and swagger that boys feel when they leave with a fresh cut.  “A fresh cut does something to your brain, right? It hooks up your intellectual.” Everybody notices and even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter.  That cut makes boys feel sharper, more visible and aware that great things could happen to them.  Beautiful!
Feb., 2018 This book was just named as an honor book for BOTH the Newbery and the Caldecott Medal!

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Hey Black Child by Useni Perkins
Six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Bryan Collier brings this classic, inspirational poem to life, written by poet Useni Eugene Perkins.
Hey black child, Do you know who you are? Who really are?
Do you know you can be What you want to be If you try to be What you can be?
Perkins, in his own words says he “wanted to inspire and motivate all black children to achieve their God-given potential, regardless of the challenges they face in life.”
Speak these words of power to the children.

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​Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner with illustrations by the talented Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Joy, love, jubilation, family and glorious song fill this book about getting ready for church on a special Sunday morning.  June, nervous about her solo in the choir, gets advice from family members.  The ritual of getting her hair done and donning a dress from her aunt prepares her to shine. Daddy, who won’t be coming along tells her that he will be there is spirit. Later during the service as she talk a breath to sing the first note, he walks in the door calling , “Sing, baby!” And she lifts her mighty voice and does just that. “And the church shouts, “Amen!”

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​A Night Out with Mama by Quvenzhane Wallis
From Academy Award–nominated child actress Quvenzhané Wallis comes a story the glamour of attending the Academy Awards.  The day begins with her Dad making a special breakfast before the pampering begins. Siblings help as she and her mom put on the glitz.  A fall on the red carpet doesn’t dampen her spirits and the sparkling evening ends with a tired mama and daughter return home where Nazie (her nickname) ends the day with “It’s just me, Mama.”  With illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, little girls everywhere can picture themselves on a night out with mama.

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