Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions Black Americans have made to our society. At NOPL we supply a diverse collection of books for our patrons. This month I encourage caregivers to sit down with their children and learn about an amazing Black American. Perhaps even someone you never heard of!
For example, you probably know about Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis’s contributions to the March on Washington, but did you know Bayard Rustin was a key player in organizing the March on Washington? You’ve likely learned about Rosa Parks and her refusal to give up her seat which led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. But did you know that a 15-year-old Claudette Colvin also refused to give up her seat and likely encouraged Rosa Parks and other Black Americans to do the same?
To learn about lesser-known Black Americans who deserve to be recognized, check out the following children’s book recommendations!
“She Persisted: Ruby Bridges” by Kekla Magoon and illustrated by Gillian Flint: Okay, I know I said this was going to be people you haven’t heard of, but I wanted to include Ruby Bridges because she was only 6 years old when she was harassed for simply wanting to go to school. This did not happen a very long time ago, it was in the ‘60s, the 1960s!
“Because Claudette” by Tracey Baptiste and illustrated by Tonya Engel: As mentioned earlier, Claudette Colvin was only 15 when she refused to give up her seat, and was jailed!
Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight” by Karyn Parsons and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie: Did you know Bessie Coleman was the first female Black pilot? She followed her dreams and succeeded!
“Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book” by Tonya Bolden and illustrated by Eric Velasquez: Due to Jim Crow laws and segregation, it was dangerous to be traveling while black, but in 1936 Victor Hugo Green created a special pamphlet that helped Black Americans know where it was safe to travel.
“Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal” by Karyn Parsons and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie: Garrett Morgan was an inventor, and one of his most important inventions was the traffic light!
“A Song for the Unsung Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington” by Carole Boston Weatherford & Rob Sanders and illustrated by Byron McCray: Read all about Bayard Rustin and how, despite rampant discrimination, he fought for civil rights, worker’s rights, human rights, and gay rights.
“Harriet Tubman: Union Spy” by Christina Leaf and illustrated by Eugene Smith: We know about the Underground Railroad and how Harriet Tubman freed the slaves, but did you know she was also a spy for the Union Army and lead a major military operation?
“Carter Reads the Newspaper” (The Story of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Founder of Black History Month) by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Don Tate: Read all about Doctor Carter G. Woodson and how he came to develop Black History Month.
Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi: This book is about the history of racism in America and what you can do to be an antiracist person.
“Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper: Learn about the tragic event that took the lives of many Black Americans in 1921.
