Picture Books!!

I came across a blog the other day that asked the question, ‘are there any good (young) children’s books with African-American protagonists?’

Honestly, if you ask me any question with the word “books” in it, prepare for an overwhelming onslaught of unsought information. [Raised by a teacher, two degrees in English Literature, worked as a librarian, read more than I sleep, etc etc.]

That said, my preliminary researches led me to the following list, which is by one of my favorite website-owners/tweeters ever. If you are as addicted to reading as I am (and I doubt anyone actually is…), this is your lifeblood. And if you’re ‘normal,’ you should still check it out. =)

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats

Corduroy by Don Freeman [This is one of my favorite children's books ever!]

Ten, Nine, Eight illustrated by Molly Bang

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats

I would also add a few “Reading Rainbow” favorites. As a kid, I was only allowed to watch half an hour of television a day. I hated this rule at the time, but am soooooo thankful for it today. It was always a tough call for me between Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow, but I almost always chose Reading Rainbow. Honestly, I wish there were a similar show for adults!! Reading Rainbow was not only the most fantastic show ever, it also exposed me to many more cultures and ways of life than I would ever have experienced on my own. I still remember several of the books highlighted on RR, and this from a girl with an almost non-existent long term memory. A few of my favorite ‘multi-cultural’ RR selections are:

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema

The Patchwork Quilt by Valeria Flournoy

A Chair for my Mother by Vera B. Williams

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox (I haven’t read this one, but it looks awesome!)

Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams (Again, haven’t read it, but looks fantastic!)

Mr. George Baker by Amy Hest (Another unread, but great-looking, book)

Just Us Women by Jeannette Caines (makes me want to take my nieces on a roadtrip!)

If you search for “Reading Rainbow” through Amazon, you’ll find lots more.