Picture Books that Celebrate Black History Month

When I think about black history, I initially think about Africa, the cradle of black people, but I also think about the black people who currently live in other lands now, like here in the USA. In my opinion, Black History Month is about all black people. Here is a list of the Black History…

Trombone Shorty – A Picture Book by Troy Andrews

Trombone Shorty Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews Illustrated by Bryan Collier Abrams Books for Young Readers “Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this…

Rent Party Jazz – A Picture Book by William Miller

Rent Party Jazz William Miller Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb Lee & Low Books, 2001 “In New Orleans in the 1930s, young Sonny Comeaux has to work before school to help his mother make ends meet. When Mama loses her job, Sonny is worried. Rent day is coming soon, and if they miss paying by just…

Hula-Hoopin’ Queen – A Picture Book by Thelma Lynne Godin

Hula-Hoopin’ Queen Thelma Lynne Godin Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Lee & Low Books, 2014 I like Hula-Hoopin’ Queen for several reasons, but I mainly like the book because it offers the readers a glimpse of a rather contemporary African-American community. Although it is not historical yet, I am listing Hula-Hoopin’ Queen as appropriate for Black…

Duke Ellington – A Picture Book Biography about a Great Jazz Legend

Duke Ellington Andrea Pinkney Illustrated by Brian Pinkney 1999 Little, Brown Books for Young Readers “Years later, on a steamy summer night, Duke heard that umpy-dump played in a whole new way. Folks called the music ragtime–piano that turned umpy-dump into a soul-rousing romp.” . . . “Duke’s Creole Love Call was spicier than a…