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If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold, Aladdin Paperbacks, 2003, Paperback, $6.99

Books about Black Children

A Weed Is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver

Aliki, Aladdin Paperbacks, 1988, Paperback, $5.95
Brief text and pictures present the life of the man, born a slave, who became a scientist and devoted his entire life to helping the South improve its agriculture.

Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story

Porter, Connie Rose, Rosales, Melodye (Illustrator), American Girl, 1993, Paperback, $6.95
Addy starts her new life in Philadelphia. At school for the first time, she learns about reading and writing--and more. Part of the "American Girls" series.

Addy Studies Freedom

Porter, Connie Rose, Taylor, Dahl (Illustrator), American Girl, 2002, Hardcover, $4.95
The war has ended and Addy is working on an essay about freedom. When President Lincoln is shot, Addy fears freedom will never really come. Illustrations.

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti

McDermott, Gerald, Henry Holt & Company, 1987, Paperback, $6.95
In this traditional tale from West Africa, Anansi, the Spider, sets out on a long journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his six sons should he reward? The color, splendid design montage, and the authentic African language rhythms forge a new direction in picture books for children. Caldecott Honor Book. Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky

Ringgold, Faith , Dragonfly Books, 1995, Paperback, $6.99
When Cassie Louise Lightfoot encounters Harriet Tubman and a mysterious train in the sky, "what follows is a compelling journey in which the author masterfully integrates fantasy and historical fact" (School Library Journal, starred review). Full color.

The Bat Boy & His Violin

Curtis, Gavin , Lewis, E B (Illustrator), Aladdin Paperbacks, 2001, Paperback, $6.99
Reginald loves to play his violin, but his father needs his son to be the bat boy for his baseball team, the Dukes. Could Reginald do both? Little do father and son realize that Reginald's sweet music is just the inspiration needed to lead the Dukes to victory! Full-color illustrations.

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

Aardema, Verna, Puffin Books, 1992, Paperback, $6.99
The story of how Ki-pat ingeniously brings rain to the arid Kapiti Plain. "Cumulative rhyming tale with the rhythm and repetition of The House That Jack Built . . . Illustrations are stylized, simple, and dramatic".--School Library Journal.

The Champ

Bolden, Tonya, Christie, R Gregory (Illustrator), Alfred A. Knopf, December 2004, Library Binding, $19.99
Muhammad Ali is one of the world's best-known figures, and this incredible biography delves into precisely why. From his unlikely beginnings as a skinny, young Cassius Clay learning to box at a local gym to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world at the famous "Rumble in the Jungle," where even the skies let loose with rain right after his victory, Ali has captivated the world. Tonya Bolden's careful research and elegant telling, paired with R. Gregory Christie's incredible paintings, make this a book that will inform and inspire readers of all ages.

Circle Unbroken: The Story of a Basket and Its People

Raven, Margot Theis , Lewis, E B (Illustrator), Melanie Kroupa Books, 2004, Hardcover, $16.00
With its rhythmic text and evocative paintings, this powerful picture book spirals through time, becoming a triumphant song that keeps the African heritage of making baskets alive--a rich story of a craft, a culture, and a people. Full color.

Down the Road

Schertle, Alice, Lewis, E B (Illustrator), Voyager Books, 2000, Paperback, $6.00
A young girl discovers that growing up brings challenges and surprises. Full-color illustrations.

Fire on the Mountain

Kurtz, Jane, Lewis, E B (Illustrator), Aladdin Paperbacks, 1998, Paperback, $6.99
Challenged by his master to spend a bitter-cold night alone in the mountains, an Ethiopian boy bets his future that he will succeed. And he does, warmed only by the sight of a distant fire. When his master refuses to recognize the boy's victory, the boy and his sister Decemberide to beat the rich man at his own game.

I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King

Davidson, Margaret, Scholastic Paperbacks, 1991, Paperback, $4.99
"An inspiring portrait of a man who changed the course of American history . . . Well documented, clearly written and illustrated with captivating photos."--"Kirkus Review."

If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks

Ringgold, Faith, Aladdin Paperbacks, 2003, Paperback, $6.99
In this book, a bus "does" talk, and on her way to school a girl named Marcie learns why Rosa Parks is the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. At the end of Marcie's magical ride, she meets Rosa Parks herself at a birthday party with several distinguished guests. Illustrations.

Kitten for a Day

Keats, Ezra Jack, Puffin Books, 2002, Paperback, $6.99
Can a puppy be a kitten? This puppy thinks he can, so he tumbles, mews, scampers and plays with four other kitties in this sweet story about friendship. Full-color illustrations.

Langston's Train Ride

Burleigh, Robert , Jenkins, Leonard (Illustrator), Orchard, October 2004, Hardcover, $16.95
Traveling to see his father in 1920, writer Langston Hughes listened to the sounds of the train, which inspired him to write his first famous poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." This picture book tells the story of Hughes's rise to accomplishing his dream of being a writer. Full color.

Leon's Story

Tillage, Leon Walter , Roth, Susan L (Illustrator), Farrar Straus Giroux, 2000, Paperback, $5.95
"In this riveting autobiography, Baltimore janitor Leon Walter Tillage reflects on his life with all the vitality of a storyteller gathering his audience around him. . . Roth's dramatic black-and-white collages pay homage to the power of Leon's story, a tale that does more in its gentle way to expose the horrors of racism than most works of fiction ever could". -- "Publishers Weekly".

Love to Langston

Medina, Tony , Christie, R Gregory (Illustrator), Lee & Low Books, 2002, Hardcover, $17.95
Fourteen poems offer young readers an exciting glimpse into the life of Langston Hughes, one of America's most beloved poets. Each poem explores important themes in Hughes's life--his lonely childhood, his love of language and travel, and his dream of writing poetry. Full-color illustrations.

Li'l Dan, the Drummer Boy: A Civil War Story

Bearden, Romare, Angelou, Maya (Read by), Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. (Foreword by), Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2003, Hardcover, $18.95
The only children's book ever written and illustrated by the legendary American artist, this is the story of a young slave who teaches himself to play the drum. Includes a CD of Maya Angelou reading the story. Full color.

Meet Addy: An American Girl

Porter, Connie Rose , Jump at the Sun, 1993, Paperback, $6.95
Addy is a young black girl living in America during the time of slavery. Addy and her mother make a terrifying journey north, holding fast to their dream that the war will end and their family will one day be together again in freedom. Part of the "American Girls" series.

My Dream of Martin Luther King

Ringgold, Faith , Ringgold, Faith (Illustrator), Dragonfly Books, 1998, Paperback, $7.99
From the acclaimed creator of the CalDecemberott Honor Book "Tar Beach" comes a personal and captivating portrait of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. "Ringgold's pictures are strong and powerful . . . there is an intensity to this that will affect readers."--"Booklist." Full color.

Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth

Rockwell, Anne F , Christie, R Gregory (Illustrator), Dragonfly Books, 2002, Paperback, $6.99
Sojourner Truth traveled the country in the latter half of the 19th century as one of the most powerful voices speaking out against slavery. Through her own story, Sojourner helped people understand the hideous truth about slavery. An ALA Notable Children's Book. Illustrations.

Over in the Meadow

Keats, Ezra Jack, Puffin Books, 1999, Paperback, $6.99
This classic Appalachian counting rhyme introduces animals and their young and the numbers one through 10. Full color.

Palm of My Heart

Adedjouma, Davida (Editor); Christie, Gregory (Illustrator), Clifton, Lucille (Introduction by), Lee & Low Books, 1998, Paperback, $6.95
This dazzling collection of poetry celebrates the beauty of African-American culture. Written by 20 inner-city children, these moving and powerful poems represent little-heard and often overlooked voices. Full color.

Pet Show!

Keats, Ezra Jack, Puffin Books, 2001, Paperback, $6.99
Archie wants to enter his cat in the neighborhood pet show--but the cat has vanished! Though all the kids look for him, he's nowhere to be found. But Archie keeps looking. However, the pet he finally brings isn't the cat, but one of the most surprising ever!

Stars in the Darkness

Joosse, Barbara M , Christie, R Gregory (Illustrator), Chronicle Books, 2001, Hardcover, $14.95
A young boy imagines his inner-city neighborhood as a safe place among the stars. But when his older brother joins a gang, he can no longer pretend he's safe. With the help of his mother, the boy comes up with a plan to save his brother and unite his neighbors in a stand for peace. Full-color illustrations.

The Sweet and Sour Animal Book

Hughes, Langston , Students of the Harlem School for the Ar (Illustrator),, Oxford University Press, 1997, Paperback, $9.95
The Langston Hughes classic, now in paperback, includes an Introduction by Ben Vereen and Afterword by George P. Cunningham. In 26 short and wonderful poems--never-before published--acclaimed Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes (1902-1967) takes children through both the alphabet and the animal world. Color and b&w illustrations.

Tar Beach

Ringgold, Faith, Dragonfly Books, 1996, Paperback, $6.99
Ringgold has fashioned a poignant fictional story about eight-year-old Cassie, who dreams that she can claim the George Washington Bridge (and freedom and wealth) by soaring above the city. A CalDecemberott Honor Book. A Coretta Scott King Award Book. An ALA Notable Book. "New York Times" Best Illustrated Book. Full color.

Through My Eyes

Bridges, Ruby , Lundell, Margo (Editor), Scholastic, 1999, Hardcover, $16.95
Ruby Bridges recounts the pivotal story of her involvement, as a six-year-old, in the 1960 integration of her school in New Orleans. Photos.

Under the Quilt of Night

Hopkinson, Deborah, Ransome, James (Illustrator), Aladdin Paperbacks, January 2005, Paperback, $6.99
This sequel to the International Reading Association Children's Book Award winner "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" captures all the drama and emotion of a girl's heartstopping escape from slavery on the Underground Railroad. Full color.

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys

Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Lewis, E B (Illustrator), Aladdin Paperbacks, January 2005, Paperback, $6.99
All Virgie wants to do is go to school with her five older brothers, who think she's too small and that girls don't need an education. Based on the lives of the author's ancestors, this story is captured in colorful artwork by Coretta Scott King honoree E.B. Lewis.

Visiting Day

Woodson, Jacqueline , Ransome, James (Illustrator), Scholastic Press, 2002, Hardcover, $15.95
In a heartwarming story about unconditional love, a little girl and her grandmother get ready for visiting day. As they make their preparations, the girl's father--who adores her--is getting ready too. Full color.

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson

Ryan, Pam Munoz , Selznick, Brian (Illustrator), Scholastic Press, 2002, Hardcover, $16.95
Young readers are introduced to one of opera's most important singers, known for her historic 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial which drew an integrated crowd of over 75,000 in pre-Civil Rights America. Full color.

Why the Sky Is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale

Gerson, Mary-Joan, Golembe, Carla (Illustrator), Little Brown and Company, 1995, Paperback, $5.95
The sky was once so close to the Earth that people cut parts of it to eat, but their waste and greed caused the sky to move far away.

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