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Best Family Books: Celebrate Black History Month
by Sonja Meyer
Celebrate Black History Month with your children by reading these wonderful books
If you are looking for books to share with your children for Black History Month, check out your local library. Here you'll find titles that teach about African American history, as well as those that simply feature black children in lead roles, beneficial for all children to read.
Start with these:
"Bippity Bop Barbershop," by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (Little, Brown And Company, 2002, 32 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $15.95.) A boy's first trip to the barbershop is exciting, scary and special, especially if Daddy bring you. Miles wakes up to Daddy's secret knock: "Bippity-be-bop- bop!" It is time. Daddy is taking Miles to that special place where men alone go, where they saunter in past the red and white pole, where they sit and chat and wait their turn, where they talk basketball and stretch up tall in a row of chairs.
When Miles enters the barbershop with Daddy, he wonders what the men mean when they say, "be brave." He takes in the scene, looking at the poster of hairstyles and seeing men pick different looks, from the gleam of a freshly- shaved bald head, to big curly Afros to long, thick dreadlocks.
Miles finally finds a look he likes: low on top and shaved around the sides, just like Daddy. He hunkers down, afraid of the buzzing clippers, until Daddy tells him to pretend he's a giant. And then it's Daddy's turn, and he wants to look like... guess who?
This book offers a glimpse into a rite of passage to which every boy can relate, from an African American youngster's point of view.
"Danitra Brown Leaves Town," by Nikki Grimes (Harper Collins Publishers, 2002, 32 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $15.89.) "School is out soon and Danitra's advice is: surrender to summer." But what kind of summer will it be? Danitra's leaving, taking vacation with her family in the country. Zuri's not too happy to be left behind in the city without her best friend. The girls decide to share their experiences by writing back and forth all summer. In the letters we hear about Danitra camping out under the stars and fireflies, Zuri swinging at a block party with the "hot, hot dance beat that sizzles up through the concrete, grabbing hold of my feet," tree- climbing, softball playing, down-in-the-dirt weed- yanking, fireworks and more.
The letters are simple and poetic and expressive of girlhood and friendship. The final one, "Home Again," illustrated by the two in each other's arms, declares joy at being together again, " 'cause that is 10 times better."
"Ella Fitzgerald, The Tale Of A Vocal Virtuosa," by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Hyperion Books For Children, 2002, 32 pages. Ages: 5-9. Hardcover, $16.99.) Who better to tell the story of one of the most famous jazz vocalists of all time than Scat Cat Monroe, an imaginary feline whose cool narrative is reminiscent of the signature style of Ella Fitzgerald herself? This hip narrator spices up the tale of the big-boned girl from Yonkers who gets her start in a talent contest at the Apollo Theatre, joins the Chick Webb Orchestra and works an audience with both her powerful voice and her dancing feet. She makes scat famous, taking nonsense syllables and singing them with a beat and fervor like they are her own private instrument. "Ella put scat on the map. When she and Dizzy threw down their skippity- hop-doo-dee-bop, every soul in the place slipped into the jam."
"Goin' Someplace Special," by Patricia C. McKissack (Atheneum Books For Young Readers/Simon & Schuster, 2001, 34 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $16.) In 'Tricia Ann's 1950s town, going someplace special is harder than you might think. That is, until you realize she is an African American girl forced to navigate through the Jim Crow signs impeding her trip. This story, based on true events in the author's life, gives children an idea of what kids their own age had to deal with during segregation. It meant they were forced to sit in the back of the bus, always make sure to read the signs in parks and public places, and comply with unfair rules. But in this town, as in the author's hometown of Nashville, there is one place where color doesn't matter, and that place is so special that 'Tricia Ann is determined to get there, no matter what. As you read this book with your children, they will see how wonderful it is to find a spot where everyone is welcome to read and learn.
"Martin's Big Words, The Life Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," by Doreen Rappaport (Hyperion Books For Children, 2001, 34 pages. Ages: 4-8. Hardcover, $15.99.) As Martin grows up, he sees the signs everywhere: "White Only." But his mother says: "You are as good as anyone." This book offers a slightly different take on the story of Martin Luther King Jr. It focuses on the importance of language and words in his life, from the meaningful biblical messages he hears in his boyhood church to the momentous words he himself later embraces and proclaims as an adult who changes history: "I have a dream that one day in Alabama little black boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers." The text offers children a simple but informative chronology of King's life and is accompanied by collages that depict scenes with color and emotion.
About the Author
Get a free gift with qualified purchase at http://www.coventryparkgifts.com Sonja Meyer is a freelance writer with three girls. She also owns http://www.coventryparkcommunications.com where she offers ready-to-go content for web and print and manages other communications services.
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