#Blackboyjoy and #Blackgirlmagic Books

At the end of this week many people around our country will celebrate Juneteenth! This is the holiday that originated in Texas when on June 19, 1865 Union Army general Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of slavery in Texas. To celebrate I would like to share four of my favorite #blackboyjoy and #blackgirlmagic picture books. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Anita and the Dragons

By Hannah Carmona

Illustrated by Anna Cunha

Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2021.

This is a story about facing your fears and doing what seems impossible or scary—like flying away from everything you know on a dragon (or airplane). The Princesa of the story is bold, brave, and an excellent example of heading into the unknown.

I Am Every Good Thing

By Derrick Barnes

Illustrated by Gordon C. James

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2020.

It is not hard to love this book. It tells about all the various things that make kids amazing—including the possibilities of greatness. It is a book that makes you want to stand a little taller and be a little better—or just recognize that these kids are “every good thing.”

Time for Kenny

By Brian Pinkney

Greenwillow Books, 2021.

In four stories we learn more about Kenny—a young toddler/preschooler who learns about getting dressed, how to avoid the scary vaccum cleaner, how to play soccer with his older sister, and how get ready for bed. This story celebrates all the joys of being a young child in a happy family.

Your Name is a Song

By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Illustrated by Lusia Uribe

The Innovation Press, 2020.

This story illustrates the importance of a name and being able to pronounce other’s names correctly. The young protagonist feels sad that nobody at school can pronounce her name—until her mother tells her that her name is a song and it has to be sung. An empowering book about celebrating diverse names.

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Display: Dino-mite Reads

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs By Mo Willems New York: Balzar + Bray, 2012. Picture Book. "Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day--for no particular reason--they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then--for no particular reason--they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not!" --Editor Smart Vs. Strong! Written by Jill Esbaum Illustrated by Miles Thompson New York: Simon Spotlight, 2021. Easy Reader. 64 pages. "When Thunder gets stuck in quicksand, Cluck uses his smarts to free his friend." --Editor How Dinosaurs Went Extinct Written by Ame Dyckman Illustrated by Jennifer Harney New York: Brown and Company, 2023. Picture Book. "When a child in a museum asks how dinosaurs became extinct, Dad co

From Story Time: The Letter "W"

Preschool Time Something Wild By Molly Ruttan New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022. Picture Book. Hannah's performance jitters about her violin recital lead to some imaginative what ifs before she finds her confidence. --Editor Preschool Time There's a Dodo on the Wedding Cake Written by Wade Bradford Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2021. Picture Book. For his return visit to the wacky Sharemore Hotel, Mr. Snore will be playing his violin at a fancy wedding. As he waits for his cue to join the ceremony, he admires the wedding cake . . . and notices that he's not alone in ogling that tower of frothy perfection. Is that a dodo, eating one of the frosting roses? As more and more creatures enter the scene--including two beavers, a boa constrictor, and a bunch of bats--it's hard to tell who's a guest and who's a pest. But Mr. Snore, rushing the cake trolley from room to room, is going to do his heroic best to save that prize from sure d

Review: How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?

How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest? Written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe Illustrated by Aaron Cushley Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2023. Informational. In this fascinating nonfiction adventure, unique forms of transportation like hot air balloons and zeppelins take readers to 12 of the most extreme locations on Earth and beyond. As the adventurer arrives in each new locale, from Lake Maracaibo--the world's most electric place--to Zavodovski Island--the world's stinkiest place--they are fully immersed into the scene around them. The text describes the distinctive sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and sensations characteristic to each place, supported by the delightful illustrations. Each stop also shares stories of real adventurers braving the elements. Readers big and small will learn something new in this exciting armchair adventure. The real adventurer anecdotes highlight both well-known and less-discussed figures, of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The illustrations provide ev

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