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Celebrate Blackness Everyone can share these picture books celebrating Black kids and families.
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Aaron Slater, illustrator
by Andrea Beaty
When Miss Greer asks each child in the class to write a story, second-grader Aaron, who loves to draw but struggles with reading, creates a story using pictures
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Ada Twist, scientist
by Andrea Beaty
Ada Twist is a very curious girl who shows perseverance by asking questions and performing experiments to find things out and understand the world
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Baby goes to market
by Atinuke
A bright, bouncy read-aloud story gently introduces numbers while describing how an adorable baby and his doting mama navigate a bustling southwest Nigerian marketplace, where the cheeky little one covertly sneaks fruits into his mother's shopping basket.
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A beach tail
by Karen Lynn Williams
When his father tells him not to leave the lion he is drawing on the beach, a little boy starts making a very, very long tail--and a trail to follow back
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Big
by Vashti Harrison
Praised for acting like a big girl when she is small, as a young girl grows, "big" becomes a word of criticism, until the girl realizes that she is fine just the way she is
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Brilliant Bea
by Shaina Rudolph
With help from Ms. Bloom and some new friends, Beatrice discovers that learning differently is not something to be afraid of, and that dyslexia does not define who she is
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Build a house
by Rhiannon Giddens
To celebrate Black history and culture and commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, a Grammy Award-winning musician presents a song that tells the story of a people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them.
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City shapes
by Diana Murray
Designed for particular appeal to kids growing up in urban environments, a vibrantly illustrated introduction to the shapes that can be found in a bustling city promotes early recognition skills by encouraging youngsters to use their imaginations while looking more closely at their environments.
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Counting on Katherine
by Helaine Becker
A picture book introduction to the boundary-breaking mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures describes how a numbers-loving young Katherine Johnson became an American icon who calculated the course of moon landings and was integral in saving lives during the Apollo 13 mission.
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A day with no words
by Tiffany Hammond
Young children will learn what life can look like for an Autism Family who use nonverbal communication by following mother and child on a day where they use a tablet to communicate others. Illustrations.
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The day you begin
by Jacqueline Woodson
A heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
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The double bass blues
by Andrea J. Loney
An aspiring musician whose life straddles the disparate worlds of the suburban school, where he is revered for his talents, and the bustling streets of his crowded home travels back and forth with his double bass, observing the symphony of his surroundings.
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I am enough
by Grace Byers
Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another
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I am every good thing
by Derrick Barnes
Proud of everything that makes him who he is, a young Black narrator celebrates the creativity, adventurous spirit, humor and loyalty that shape his undeterred spirit and confident goals, even when people who do not understand try to limit his potential.
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I Got the Rhythm
by Connie Schofield-Morrison
Walking with her mother to the park, an exuberant little girl hears music in the sounds all around her that inspires her to sniff, snap and shake before bursting into an impromptu dance that is joined by other children. Illustrated by the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning artist of Jazzy Miz Mozetta.
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I have a superpower
by Stephen Curry
The three-time NBA champion and superstar presents this picture book in which he hopes to inspire the next generation of go-getters and big dreamers to unlock their very own superpower and achieve any goal.
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I Just Want to Say Good Night
by Rachel Isadora
Wanting to put off bedtime for as long as possible, young Lala, a little girl growing up on the African veld, bids goodnight to the people, animals and objects throughout her home before saying a final goodnight to the moon and her favorite bedtime story. By the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Ben's Trumpet.
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I like myself!
by Karen Beaumont
Although all people are made up of both good and bad qualities, this picture book emphasizes the importance of loving one's self for all the things that make them the unique being they are.
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Islandborn
by Junot Díaz
When she has to draw a picture of where she immigrated from, Lola asks her family, friends, and neighbors about their memories of her homeland
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Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall
Passing tests in swimming class that give him the confidence to try jumping off the diving board, little Jabari stretches his muscles and squeezes his dad's hand when the big moment arrives, in a story that celebrates finding one's courage.
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Josephine : the dazzling life of Josephine Baker
by Patricia Hruby Powell
Combines exuberant verse and stirring illustrations in a picture book introduction to the life of the passionate performer and civil rights activist that traces her journey from the slums of St. Louis to the world's most famous stages.
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Julián is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
Glimpsing a trio of women dressed up in fabulous mermaid costumes while riding the subway home with his abuela, little Julián resolves to make a fancy mermaid costume and headdress for himself and wonders what his abuela will think of the mess he makes, and more importantly, how his costume will reflect how he sees himself.
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Kick push
by Frank Morrison
When Epic's family moves to a new neighborhood, he has a hard time making friends and fitting in with his skateboard; but the trick to making new friends is to be yourself!
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The king of kindergarten
by Derrick D. Barnes
A Newbery Honor-winning author offers an empowering story about a confident little boy who takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, encouraging new students with a reassuring message about this exciting milestone.
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Last stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Peña
A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things. By the author of the celebrated picture book A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis.
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A library
by Nikki Giovanni
In this ode to libraries where everyone who loves stories is welcome, a world-renowned poet captures the magic of these places for imagination, exploration and escape.
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Lola reads to Leo
by Anna McQuinn
New big sister Lola can't wait to share her love of reading with just the right books for baby Leo, and even though Mommy and Daddy are busy, they still have time to read to Lola at bedtime.
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Love, Lah Lah
by Nailah Blackman-Thornhill
During Carnival, Lah Lah and her papa dance through the streets of Trinidad and Tobago, in this vibrant and heartwarming story that blends African and East Indian rhythms to capture the colors and beat of this joyous celebration.
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Mae among the stars
by Roda Ahmed
A picture book story inspired by the first African-American woman to travel in space describes how as a child, a persevering Little Mae dreamed of dancing in space while surrounded by billions of stars.
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The magical Yet
by Angela DiTerlizzi
Everyday, when learning how to do new things, it is important to keep on trying and remember there is "Yet" something else that can be done
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Mary had a little plan
by Tammi Sauer
When Mary, a little fashionista who turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, spots an abandoned lot in her neighborhood, she sets in motion a stylish plan to spruce it up, which has a big impact on her community.
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Max and the tag-along moon
by Floyd Cooper
Saying good-bye after a visit with his beloved grandfather who reminds him that they both live under the same moon, young Max is astonished to observe the moon following him home and is comforted by the knowledge that the moon will always shine above everyone he loves.
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Milo imagines the world
by Matt de la Peäna
The team behind the Newbery Medal-winning Last Stop on Market Street follows the experiences of a little boy who creatively imagines the stories of fellow passengers on a long subway ride.
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My Hair Is a Garden
by Cozbi A. Cabrera
After a day of being taunted by classmates about her unruly hair, Mackenzie cant take any more and she seeks guidance from her wise and comforting neighbor, Miss Tillie. Using the beautiful garden in the backyard as a metaphor, Miss Tillie shows Mackenzie that maintaining healthy hair is not a chore nor is it something to fear. Most importantly, Mackenzie learns that natural black hair is beautiful.
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My hands tell a story
by Kelly Starling Lyons
A little girl, baking bread with her grandmother, becomes transported by the tales her grandmother's hands tell -- those that spring from the rose-painted nails, a flower-banded wedding ring, and the way her fingers move and glide. These hands have manytales to tell. But only if you listen.
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Monster trouble
by Lane Fredrickson
Unafraid of the monsters who interfere with her bedtime, Winifred Schnitzel tries to find a way to scare them away
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My three best friends and me, Zulay
by Cari Best
Sharing days with her best friends in their second-grade class, Zulay, a blind student, surprises her teacher by asking if she can run a race on Field Day and achieves her goal with the help of a special aide and the support of loved ones.
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One word from Sophia
by Jim Averbeck
Wanting a pet giraffe for her birthday more than anything, exuberant little Sophia uses presentations, proposals and pie charts to negotiate with reluctant family members.
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Oona
by Kelly DiPucchio
Oona and her best friend Otto love to search for treasure but often find messy, tricky, and even shark-related trouble, instead
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Playtime for restless rascals
by Nikki Grimes
A mother wakes up her child whose job is to play, as there is so much to do in a fun-filled day, from dancing in puddles to jumping in leaves
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Please, puppy, please
by Spike Lee
When two toddlers take on the responsibility of caring for their first pet, a precocious little pup, the little ones quickly realize that they are going to have their hands full as they chase after the energetic new family member who prefers to live by his own rules!
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Princess Truly in I am Truly
by Kelly Greenawalt
The confident, intelligent and beautiful Princess Truly imparts empowering lessons about believing in oneself and the potential of individuality, girl power and diversity, in a rhyming story by the team behind The Courageous Cape Chase.
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The proudest blue : a story of hijab and family
by Ibtihaj Muhammad
The Muslim-American Olympic medalist and social justice activist presents a vibrantly illustrated story about two sisters who endure criticism and bullying when they begin school on the first day the elder wears her beautiful blue hijab.
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The quickest kid in Clarksville
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Growing up in the segregated town of Clarksville, Tennessee, in the 1960s, Alta's family cannot afford to buy her new sneakers--but she still plans to attend the parade celebrating her hero Wilma Rudolph's three Olympic gold medals
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Reading Beauty
by Deborah Underwood
A lively fairy tale set in the universe of Interstellar Cinderella finds space princess Lex embarking on a quest to break a curse that has removed all the books from her kingdom.
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Room for everyone
by Naaz Khan
Set in Zanzibar, this lively rhyming picture book follows a young boy on a crowded bus as he learns, after many stops, that there is always room for everyone.
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Saturday
by Oge Mora
A follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning Thank You, Omu! finds a specially planned mother-and-daughter Saturday upended by a series of disappointments that end in the daughter comforting her mother by saying that being together was the most important thing.
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Shhh! The Baby's Asleep
by JaNay Brown-Wood
One smart little narrator knows just the way to make his baby sister fall back to sleep after his loud and boisterous family and neighbors wake her up!
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Sisters : Venus and Serena Williams
by Jeanette Winter
Presents the lives of the American sisters who became famous tennis players, from their coaching by their father and their early tournaments, to their overcoming of physical obstacles and their emergence as world-class champions
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Song in the city
by Daniel Bernstrom
Young blind girl Emmaline, who loves the sounds of her city, teaches her Grandma Jean how to listen more closely to the vibrant everyday music that floats all around them.
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Stacey's extraordinary words
by Stacey Abrams
When she is chosen to compete in the local spelling bee, Stacey learns that, win or lose, her words are powerful, and sometimes perseverance is the most important word of all, in this debut picture book from the iconic voting rights advocate.
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Together we swim
by Valerie Bolling
Told in rhyming text, a young boy learns to swim in a pool with the example and encouragement of his family.
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Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong'o
The Academy Award-winning actress presents the story of a little girl with beautiful, midnight-colored skin that makes her feel different from everyone, until a magical journey in the night sky transforms her perspective. Illustrated by the creator of Little Leaders.
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Thank you, Omu!
by Oge Mora
When the aroma of Omu's homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit.
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There was a party for Langston
by Jason Reynolds
This finger-snapping, toe-tapping ode to the Word King and literary genius Langston Hughes invites readers to a heckuva party at the Schomberg Library where Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka and others arrive to recite poems at their hero's feet.
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Trombone Shorty
by Troy Andrews
A visual profile of the musical child prodigy and Grammy-nominated headliner at the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest relates, through sumptuous artwork and text, the story about his childhood dream of becoming a musician against the odds.
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The water princess
by Susan Verde
Follows the experiences of a young girl who dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village as she rises early every morning and makes long journeys to the well with a heavy pot that she carries on her head.
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We could fly
by Rhiannon Giddens
Drawing on the lyrics from the song“We Could Fly,” this stunning picture book shares the incantatory dialogue between a mother and daughter that celebrates love, resilience and the spiritual power of tradition and shared cultural memory to sustain and uplift.
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What if...
by Samantha Berger
A child who likes to draw and write stories imagines what would happen if there were no pencils, paper, or other tools for being creative.
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When grandma gives you a lemon tree
by Jamie L. B Deenihan
After disappointingly receiving a lemon tree from her grandma on her birthday, a young girl doesn't know what to do with it other than care for it and wait, but her patience eventually pays off.
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Whoosh! : Lonnie Johnson's super-soaking stream of inventions
by Chris Barton
An introduction to the life and creative achievements of NASA engineer and inventor Lonnie Johnson describes his childhood in a house full of siblings, the problem-solving talents that inspired his career and his accidental invention of the Super Soaker.
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The word collector
by Peter H. Reynolds
The best-selling creator of The Dot presents an inspiring story about the transformative power of words, depicting a young boy who discovers the magic of words all around him and their ability to connect, transform and empower.
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The year we learned to fly
by Jacqueline Woodson
By heeding their wise grandmother's advice, a brother and sister discover the ability to lift themselves up and imagine a better world.
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