Review of The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer

 

In this New York Times Bestseller, B is for Beautiful, Brave, and Bright! And for a Book that takes a Bold journey through the alphabet of Black history and culture. ​

Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy.

It’s a story of big ideas––P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul. Of significant moments––G is for Great Migration. Of iconic figures––H is for Zora Neale Hurston, X is for Malcom X. It’s an ABC book like no other, and a story of hope and love.

In addition to rhyming text, the book includes back matter with information on the events, places, and people mentioned in the poem, from Mae Jemison to W. E. B. Du Bois, Fannie Lou Hamer to Sam Cooke, and the Little Rock Nine to DJ Kool Herc.

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**My thoughts**

Black history is our history. Period. And too often, a lot of it has been purposely hidden in an effort to try to erase it. I love learning about history, so I've been enjoying learning more about Black history through a variety of means. I do this for personal growth, but to also improve myself as an educator. This is a great one to use with children ages 5 and up.

With your younger children, enjoy the vibrantly colored pictures and rhyming verse as poet Rio Cortez takes us through Black history and culture. As you're reading it, you're going to recognize how much of it is actually also a part of your own life.

With children who are a little older, you can dig more into the lives of the various historical figures and events that are depicted in the story. The beginning of the book offers some great resources. The back of the book goes into a bit more detail about each the people, events, and terms associated with each letter of the alphabet. That index is a great way to look up which topics pique your interest at the moment. You'll come back to it again and again. It even inspires me to dig more deeply into some historical events.

Not every topic is going to be comfortable to dive into. But without a bit of discomfort, growth and change cannot happen. And like it or not, this IS history. These topics ARE relevant right now. So approach them with children at their level to help them also learn and grow, and not just in February for Black History Month.

I noticed that this duo has also created a book for Women's history, and I can't wait to dive into that one as well!

Review of Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe by Kate Messner, Margaret E. Powell, illustrated by Erin K. Robinson

 

An inspiring picture book biography of the amazing Anne Lowe, the first nationally-known African American fashion designer!

A careful snip, a delicate fold.
Fabric the color of new petals.
Skirts that flare like upside-down blossoms.
A garden bursts into bloom!

There is no "good enough."
For Ann, only the best will do.

Award-winning author Kate Messner, costume historian Margaret E. Powell, and fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson tell the powerful story of the ground-breaking Ann Lowe, who grew up in a small Alabama dress shop and became the first nationally-known African American fashion designer. Sought after by millionaires and movie stars, her designs walked the red carpet and graced the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier.

At a time when the world around her thought African Americans deserved no more than second-class treatment, Ann expects no less of herself, and no less FOR herself, than the BEST.

THE FIRST, FAMED BLACK FASHION DESIGNER: Although she faced many hardships, Anne's spirit, talent, and belief in herself always shone through. This story provides an empowering, real-life role model for young girls—and especially Black girls—to relate to and see themselves in, at an age when building self-confidence is more important than ever!

ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY AND PERSERVERENCE: Full of interesting details about how Anne came up with her designs, and how she always forged ahead in spite of setbacks, this true story will captivate aspiring artists and young creative thinkers alike.

SURE OF HER OWN WORTH: This book makes a perfect gift for anyone looking to celebrate, empower, and inspire the women in their lives—whether daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, or friends. Ann Lowe stands as a testament to the power of knowing we're both capable of and deserve ONLY THE BEST.

BEAUTIFUL, IMMERSIVE PROSE: Wonderful, vivacious writing by award-winning author Kate Messner and expert historian Margaret E. Powell brings Anne's pride in herself and her work to life in rich detail!

Perfect for:

• Parents, grandparents, and caregivers
• Teachers and librarians
• Readers who loved Little Leaders and Parker Looks Up
• The vast #WeNeedDiverseBooks community
• Anyone seeking books about Black excellence, female empowerment, or Black history
• Gift-givers looking for a beautiful, inspirational book for the girls (or women) in their lives

Available on Amazon

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**My thoughts**

I came across this title in a February Black History Month listing of children's books. I was fascinated by this story of Ann Lowe. I am not very into fashion, but still like to learn about influential people in history. I was especially fascinated by the fact that she created Jacqueline Bouvier's dress for her wedding to John F. Kennedy. And when you look at the painstaking way she created all of those individual decorations, you cannot help but be blown away. I don't know how she did it all and so quickly!

Ann's tenacity and drive are inspiring, even to this middle-aged woman. I would love to recapture some of that drive and passion in my own life. I can see children being inspired by her story, wanting to become fashion designers in their own right. You could use this book for Black History Month or Women's History Month. Of course, I am a fan of learning about both of these topics on a year-round basis. 

You'll be able to touch on American history and oppression, as it talks about how Ann created designs, but her employers would take all of the credit. She had to sit by herself in a room while taking classes, because no other Black woman had ever been at that school before. Ann serves as inspiration for standing up for yourself, such as when she is at first denied entrance into the senator's home via the front door. She serves as inspiration for regrouping and pushing through tough times, like when a flood ruined several pieces right before the wedding. And those who are interested in art can take a deeper dive into her creations as well as the stunning illustrations by Erin K. Robinson. In a time of mostly computer-generated art flooding the children's book world, it's refreshing to see original, painstaking work using a variety of media.

I would recommend this for kindergarten and older. And as always, have conversations with the children as they are reading it.

'When Grandmama Sings' by Margaree King Mitchell

Blurb:

Belle is going to spend the summer touring the South with Grandmama and a swing jazz band! Belle has never been outside Pecan Flats, Mississippi and she can't wait to go on the road with Grandmama. There are so many new things to see on their travels through the Deep South. But some things aren't new. Everything is segregated, just like at home. But Grandmama stands up for what's right. And when she sings, Belle knows that Grandmama's song can bring everyone together.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR BIO

Margaree K. Mitchell is the award-winning author of books for children, teens, and adults. She is the author of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop (Simon & Schuster), Granddaddy’s Gift (Scholastic), When Grandmama Sings (HarperCollins), The People In The Park (Watershed Books), and Woman In The Pulpit (Castlewood Books). Uncle Jed’s Barbershop has been adapted into an award-winning musical featuring Broadway veteran Ken Prymus as Uncle Jed.

http://facebook.com/MargareeKingMitchell

http://margareekmitchell.com

I'll Fly My Own Plane (Joe Joe in the City #3) by Jean Alicia Elster

Joe Joe Rawlings faces contemporary challenges in this series of books written around Christian themes for African-American children. This third volume introduces Joe Joe and his young readers to the Tuskegee Airmen.

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I'll Fly My Own Plane is the third book in the "Joe Joe in the City" series by Jean Alicia Elster. This installment of Black History takes Joe Joe to the skies, as his friend and librarian, Mrs. Morgan, gives him a book about the Tuskegee Airmen. They were a group of African-American pilots who flew with the US Air Force during WWII.

Joe Joe's struggle in this book is that he loves airplanes, which is why he was given this book to read. He would love to have his own model airplane, but he can't yet afford one. Working for Mr. Booth in the store doesn't pay a lot of money. His friend Tyrone keeps bugging him to go work for Cecil, because he could make a lot of money. But Joe Joe knows that Cecil does something shady, and his parents have told him to stay away.

He tries to focus on the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Bessie Coleman had to travel all the way to France to learn how to fly, but because the first black woman in the world to earn a pilot's license. Eugene Bullard was also forced to go to France. By joining the French Air Force, he became the first African American to become a military pilot.

In 1941, the first black American soldiers were finally allowed to train to become military pilots. They trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, to become the 99th Squadron, a segregated unit, and received the nickname "Tuskegee Airmen". Each of these men had earned college degrees. They were treated poorly by the Air Force. But the airmen kept their heads held high, and continued to work hard, to prove that they could. Their perseverance paid off to open doors to future aviators.

As Joe Joe is reading this, he can hear Tyrone playing with his airplane, and he feels the pull to try to work for Cecil to earn money faster. At the same time, he is working extra hard for Mr. Booth, and keeps hearing the echoes of his parents and grandmother in his head.

This book is yet again another great resource for Black history, and for life lessons to children. It demonstrates the inner struggles felt by children living in the city, torn between doing the right thing and fitting in. It also provides good role models to these children, which unfortunately many are lacking. This book, and the others in the series, should be shared with children of elementary age. The lessons contained within are important, both historically and social-emotionally.




Disclaimer: While I did receive a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions contained within this post are completely honest.

I Have a Dream, Too! (Joe Joe in the City #2) by Alicia Elster

This beautifully designed book follows ten-year-old Joe Joe Rawlings as he faces challenges, and encounters guidance from a rich cast of historical characters in this series written for African-American children ages six to ten.

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I Have a Dream, Too! by Jean Alicia Elster is the second book in the "Joe Joe in the City" series. This contribution to the study of Black History has ten year-old Joe Joe learning about Mary McLeod Bethune, for whom his library was named.

Joe Joe walks into his library, beaming with pride as he just received his report card with all A's and a B in handwriting. Mrs. Morgan, the librarian who is his friend, hands him a book about Mary McLeod Bethune to read. On his way out, Joe Joe tells his friends that he has aspirations to go to college, and will write his paper about his dream for the future about it. His friends make fun of him, because kids from that neighborhood never go to college.

That night, Joe Joe starts to read about Mary. Her parents worked hard to earn money as sharecroppers to eventually earn their own 35 acres of land. They were also illiterate. Mary had a strong desire to learn how to decipher those markings within the books she saw, including the family Bible.

A teacher went around the county seeking African American children to educate. Mary's parents willingly let their daughter go. She was a quick study, making her way all the way through high school. She then attended a two-year college in preparation for missionary work in Africa. Unable to make the trip, because there was no space for an African- American to go, she chose to instead start her own school, which eventually became a four-year college. Bethune was also given a special position in the National Youth Administration by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

As Joe reads the story of Mary McLeod Bethune, he goes on his own personal journey of figuring out how to be as successful. He begins to work for the shopkeeper, Mr. Booth, to start saving money. He tries to ignore the taunts of the other children in his neighborhood. He tries to find the same strength and determination within himself that Mary was able to find in herself.

Though written as an inspirational book for Black History, the lessons contained within this book can apply to children of any race. Kids need to set their goals high, and do whatever it takes to get there, while following ethical ideals. Success is dependent on hard work, and there will be people trying to bring you down. A good support system at home, at school, and within the community can help you achieve anything.

Again, this book is more appropriate for the elementary sect, but is a beneficial addition to the collection.




I received a copy of this book from the author.

Review of Just Call Me Joe Joe by Jean Alicia Elster

In the first volume of this four-book series, Joe Joe is mistaken for a member of a gang of kids that has ransacked a white man s store. Shaken, he takes refuge in a library book about the Negro Baseball League. Inspired by the example of ball player Cool Papa Bell, Joe Joe finds the strength to stand up against false assumptions.

Purchase Just Call Me Joe Joe (Joe Joe in the City, 1)

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Just Call Me Joe Joe by Jean Alicia Elster is the first book in a series known as "Joe Joe in the City". In this book, Joe Joe Rawlings is a ten year-old boy who has a strong love of baseball. At the beginning of baseball season, he visits his local library, where his special friend, librarian Mrs. Morgan, gives him a book called The History of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

It's a book about the history of African-Americans in the sport of baseball. The Negro baseball leagues formed in the early 1900s, so that the blacks could play in a game that they loved. In the late 1800s, a few integrated leagues existed. Moses Fleetwood Walker, known as "Fleet", had signed onto a major league team in Toledo, OH, making him the first African American to do so. But the major leagues quickly changed their minds and did not renew the blacks' contracts, thus causing them to have to create their own. Some of the best baseball was played on those teams.

Life on the Negro leagues was not easy. They had little to no money, so supplies like bats were old and beat-up, and buses kept breaking down. But the players took great pride in what they were doing. One talented player, named James "Cool Papa" Bell, started playing in the winters in Cuba and Mexico, where there was no segregation on baseball teams. But in the summers, he always came back to the States to play with his home teams. He may not have always been treated right, but he felt good doing what he loved.

Learning about the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues inspires Joe Joe to take pride in himself. He had gone into Mr. Booth's store to buy paprika for his grandmother, when a gang of other boys came in and trashed the place. Mr. Booth mistakenly assumed Joe Joe was a part of that group, and banished him from the store. Joe Joe is hurt, because he was innocent, and feels unjustly treated. Dad tells him that he needs to go into the store and make it right. Reading about people like "Cool Papa" Bell makes him feel strong enough to do so.

This book is a great one to read when teaching black history. It provides the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues, including lots of facts and real photographs. This is a part of American history and baseball that is often overlooked. It can also be inspirational to children of any race, to teach them to stand up for themselves and to take pride in themselves.

Accompanying illustrations of Joe Joe and his family are quite well-done and provide a visual insight into their lives.

Though this is a picture book, the story is long and mature. It is much more appropriate for the elementary years, than kindergarten and younger. But it is one that I would recommend to elementary teachers and to families to share with their children.



Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book for reviewing purposes; however, the opinions expressed within this blog post are my own.