4 stars An interesting introduction into the history of zombies and how they went from the obedient undead to the ravenous creatures we know today. The book covers various information related to zombies including the origin of zombies in Vodou, their evolution through mass media, real-world parasites and diseases, children’s pop culture, and survival tips….
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3 stars A nice collection of poetry. Includes topics of COVID-19, connection, history, racism, war, loneliness, politics, and grief. I enjoyed the different styles used and the various forms the poems take, from erasure poems to a screenplay, found poetry to concrete poems. The formatting is visually interesting, utilizing different page colors, shapes, and orientations…
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by Eloise Greenfiled Illustrated by Daniel Minter 5 stars A truly stunning collection of poetry showcasing African American midwives throughout time. The poems travel from Africa to America, sharing experiences through enslavement, emancipation, and into the modern era. Wonderfully written and expertly crafted. The dreamlike illustrations are beautiful and demonstrate the power, strength, care, and…
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Illustrated by James Ransome 5 stars A beautiful story of family, hope, and the ties between people and places. Follow the journey of a single rope passed down through three generations and used for a variety of purposes, from clotheslines to jump ropes to practicing knots. The rope joins the family as they experience big…
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by Kyle Lukoff Illustrated by Levi Hastings 5 stars A fun, informative, and at times humorous telling of the history of the phrase “Are You a Friend of Dorothy?” and how it sparked a government investigation into a person who didn’t exist. Nicely written. Lukoff tells the story in an interesting way, weaving in themes…
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Illustrated by Ana Latese 5 stars An engaging and fun resource for learning about various aspects of Juneteenth including its history and cultural significance. The book opens with a great introduction to Juneteenth. From there, different concepts are explored for each letter of the alphabet. The text highlights ways Juneteenth is celebrated, important figures in…
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5 stars A stunning book both for its lyrical exploration of human history and for its magnificent visuals. The book flows through the history of humanity, touching on human’s development of language, art, music, dance, inventions, exploration, medicine, and more. The backmatter contains more information on the history presented on each page, pairing the topics…
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Illustrated by Loveis Wise 5 stars A fantastic book that blends the principles of Kwanzaa, Black history, poetry, and breathtaking artwork. Through moving verse, Zoboi takes the reader though time, recounting significant events in American history. The book remembers the joyful and freeing times as well as the dark and violent ones. From the Transatlantic…
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4 stars A fantastic informational read. Provides a great detailed look at the history of Juneteenth for children and adults to read together. I love that this book doesn’t just end with emancipation but also discusses the years following, recognizing the continued inequalities and discrimination. The book covers important events in history including chattel slavery,…
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Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge 3 stars As a young girl enjoys the Juneteenth block party, she wonders what the first Juneteenth celebration was like. She talks to family and friends about their Juneteenth memories as they all share in the joy of the celebration. A nice look at some of the foods and activities associated…
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