Black Heritage
Children’s Authors and Illustrators
Compiled by the Toronto Early Literacy Specialists Team
Baby Dance
Ann Taylor, HarperCollins 1999
Illustrations by Marjorie van
Heerden
Board book for newborns up.
DESCRIPTION:
A playful poem that has a father and child dancing lovingly across the page.
My Daddy and I
By: Eloise Greenfield
Illustrated by: Jan Spivey Gilchrest
Ages: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader
DESCRIPTION
A boy and his father, shown as African Americans in warmly hued illustrations, enjoy doing
everyday activities together, from laundry to sharing a book and more. The simple
pleasures of family life are conveyed affectionately through easy but flowing language and
realistic paintings in a st
Island Counting 123
By Frane Lessac
Candlewick Press, 2005
Ages: 0-3
DESCRIPTION
Good simple illustrations and clear images for counting.
Rain Feet
Angela Johnson
Ages: 3 - 6
DESCRIPTION
A young African American boy puts on his yellow rain slicker and boots and grabs his yellow
umbrella to enjoy a spring rain. The simple text expresses the noises of a rainy day and the
fun of jumping through puddles. The last page shows the boy standing barefoot in a puddle,
arms spread wide, his beautiful eyes full of the joy and wonderment of a young child. The
watercolor illustrations capture the essence of a wet day, from the rain pouring out of a
downspout to the spray behind a car's tires on a wet street. Watery green and gray are
predominant, with splashes of red and pink. The yellow of the boy's rain gear, a fire
hydrant, a car, a house, and some dandelions provides a warm contrast, standing out just
the way that bright colors do on a rainy day. This book is suitable for babies, who will like
the contrasting colors, and for toddlers, who just may be reaching for their boots, hoping for
rain.
Whistle for Willie
By Ezra Jack Keats
Ages: 3-6.
DESCRIPTION
The Snowy Day, a 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, is the simple tale of a boy waking up to
discover that snow has fallen during the night. Keats's illustrations, using cut-outs,
watercolors, and collage, are strikingly beautiful in their understated color and composition.
The tranquil story mirrors the calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of
a freshly snow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day
of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating
snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Awakening to a winter
wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and one made nearly visceral by Keats's
gentle tribute.
Whistle for Willie
By Ezra Jack Keats
Ages: 3-6.
DESCRIPTION
Fans of Ezra Jack Keats's fabulous (and better known) 1962 book, "The Snowy Day" should
be pleased to discover this other piece. Published originally in 1964, "Whistle for Willie" is a
sequel of sorts. Starring Peter, that lovable kid whom we first saw tromping about in his red
snowsuit, the focus shifts from cold snowed in city streets to warmer days in a kid-friendly
metropolis.
Watch Me Dance
By Pinkney
Ages: 3-6
DESCRIPTION
Featuring the children introduced in I Smell Honey a young girl stomps her feet and claps
her hands to entertain her baby brother, until he finally gets up and joins her.
Anansi The Spider: A Tale From the
Ashanti
By: Gerald McDermott
Ages : 3-6
DESCRIPTION:
In this traditional tale from West Africa, Anansi, the spider, sets out on a long journey.
Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of the
six sons should he reward?
Bright Eyes, Brown Skin
By: Cheryl Hudson & Bernette Ford
Illustrated by: George Cephas Ford
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Pre-Reader
DESCRIPTION:
Four African American children interact with one another in a preschool
environment, exploring their facial features, skin tones, what they wear, what they do, and
how they learn from and enjoy each other.
Many Colors Of Mother Goose
By Cheryl Willis Hudson
For ages 3 – 6
DESCRIPTION:
The illustrated rhymes in this collection are presented from a contemporary, diverse, multicultural perspective. An excellent addition for early childhoon education classes. Adapted by
Cheryl Willis Hudson with llustrations by Mark Corcoran, Ken Brown and Cathy Johnson.
The Friendly Four
by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Age level: 3-6
DESCRIPTION:
Meet Drum, Dorene, Louis, and Rae as they share one special summer of discovery and
creative play together. Through individual poems and poems for multiple voices, these four
young people explore the bonds of friendship, family, and community.
With her free-verse poetry, award-winning writer Eloise Greenfield poignantly reminds us
that sometimes our truest friends enter our lives when we least expect them.
Kente Colors
BY Debbie Chocolate
Ages: 3 – 8
DESCRIPTION
A richly illustrated book that celebrates the tradition and use of the African kente cloth. The
simple, rhyming text describes the multiplicity of colors used and the numerous ways the
Ashanti of Ghana and the Ewe of Ghana and Togo incorporate the fabric into their daily
lives. In an endnote, Chocolate explains the weaving process and the colors' meanings.
Ward's lush paintings are wonderful. Deep blues, bright reds, blacks, golds, and purples
fairly leap off the pages. This book is important in that it is the first to convey an
understanding of kente cloth's history and cultural significance for a young audience.
No Mirrors in My Nana's House
Author: Ysaye M. Barnwell
Age level: 4-6
DESCRIPTION
A little girl discovers the beauty in herself - and the beauty of the world around her - not by
looking in the mirror, but by looking in her Nana''s eyes. Glorious bright pictures by Synthia
Saint James show us how to see the beauty, and the accompanying CD of Sweet Honey In
The Rock singing the song lets us know how to hear it. Ysaye M. Barnwell-a member of the
popular a capella quintet of African American women, Sweet Honey In The Rock-wrote the
music as well as the lyrics for the song. This breathtaking picture book and CD will inspire
children and adults alike.
Max Found Two Sticks
Brian Pinkney | Simon & Schuster
Ages 4 to 6.
DESCRIPTION
A young boy is introduced to the joys of making music through this imaginative story. Max
picks up two twigs and begins tapping out the rhythms of everything he sees around him,
from distant church bells to the rumble of the subway. Then, when a marching band rounds
his corner, something wonderful happens. Full color. Great book for rhythm and sound play.
I Love My Hair!
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley,
Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Ages 4-6
DESCRIPTION
Every night before she goes to bed, Keyana sits down between her mother’s knees to have
her hair combed. But no matter how gently Mama pulls, it sometimes still hurts! Keyana
doesn’t''t feel lucky to have such a head of hair, but Mama tells her she is because she can
wear it any way she chooses. "I can spin you hair into fine, soft yam, just like our
grandmothers did at their spinning wheels,” she tells her. "Or I can part your hair into
straight lines and plant rows of braids along your scalp, the way we plant seeds in our
garden, then wait and watch for them to grow." Natasha Tarpley''s whimsical, evocative text
encourages Black children to not only feel good about their special hair, but to also feel
proud of their heritage.
Me & Neesie (reillustrated)
by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Ages: 4-6
DESCRIPTION
In Me & Neesie, Eloise Greenfield offers a reassuring story about the special place an
imaginary friend and a loving, caring family have in a little girl's heart. First published in
1975, Me & Neesie was selected as a Reading Rainbow book. This special thirtieth
anniversary edition has been illustrated with new, vibrant paintings by Jan Spivey Gilchrist.
Shades of Black: A
Celebration of Our Children
Sandra L. Pinkley
DESCRIPTION
Vibrant photographs by Myles Pinkney perfectly illustrate the extraordinary beauty of
African-American boys and girls, while Sandra Pinkney’s poetic text evokes a strong sense
of pride. Together, this husband-and-wife team create a wonderful platform to explore and
embrace the variety among African-Americans.
To Be A Drum
Author: Coleman
Ages: 4-6
DESCRIPTION
Daddy Wes tells his children Mat and Martha that the drum has long been a powerful symbol
to their African roots, and shares with them how the drum was the underlying heartbeat of
their people through slavery, war, and the civil rights movement.
Yo! Yes?
By Chris Raschka
Ages: 4 – 8
DESCRIPTION
An effective, unusual 34-word story of the beginnings of a friendship, accompanied by wild
and wonderful illustrations. Against pastel backgrounds, in vibrant, colorful images, an
African-American boy and a white boy meet on the street. "What's up?" "Not much." "Why?"
"No fun." "Oh?" "No friends." These one- and two-word exchanges on each spread lead to a
tentative offer of friendship, sealed as both boys jump high in the air and yell "Yow!" The
succinct, rhythmic text and the strong cartoonlike watercolor-and-charcoal illustrations are
perfect complements.
Under the Moon and Over the Sea: A
collection of Caribbean poems
EDITED BY: John Agard Grace Nichols
Ages: 4-8
DESCRIPTION
This glorious collection of over 50 poems conjures the sights, sounds, tastes, and tales of
the Caribbean in a way that will capture children's imaginations. Divided into five evocative
sections that are each magnificently illustrated by a contemporary artist, pupils will not only
learn about new sounds and colours but also about what it's like to live in a different part of
the world and leave for other lands.
In the Land of Words
by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Ages: 4-8
DESCRIPTION
In this collection of twenty-one poems, National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in
Poetry for Children Award winner Eloise Greenfield journeys to a place where words,
creativity, and imagination abound. Featuring the poems "In the Land of Words," "Books,"
and "Poem," as well as favorites such as "Nathaniel's Rap" and "Way Down in the Music,"
this tribute to the written word invites readers to look within themselves and discover what
inspires them.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Jeanette Winter
Ages 3-7.
DESCRIPTION
Illus. in full color. "Winter's story begins with a peg-leg sailor who aids slaves on their
escape on the Underground Railroad. While working for plantation owners, Peg Leg Joe
teaches the slaves a song about the drinking gourd (the Big Dipper). A couple, their son,
and two others make their escape by following the song's directions. Rich paintings interpret
the strong story in a clean, primitive style enhanced by bold colors. The rhythmic
compositions have an energetic presence that's compelling.
Skin Again
By Chris Raschka
Ages: 4 – 9
DESCRIPTION
As they did in Happy to Be Nappy (1999) and Be Boy Buzz (2002, both Hyperion), hooks
and Raschka have created a verbal and visual celebration. This time the subject is skin,
both what it is and, more importantly, what it is not. "The skin I'm in/is just a covering./If
you want to know who I am/you have got to come inside/and open your heart way wide."
While the message comes across loud and clear, the author's deft handling of language
renders it gently persuasive rather than didactic. Raschka's impressionistic pictures amplify
the theme as they shift from large, bold cartoons showing the outside of both white and
black children, and then move to the inner patchwork of thoughts and feelings that make up
"real" individuals.
Daddy Calls Me Man (Hardcover)
by Angela Johnson (Author), Rhonda
Mitchell (Illustrator, Photographer)
Ages: 4-9
DESCRIPTION
Joyously written and illustrated, these four poems reflect the concerns of children. In "Big
Shoes," the young narrator proclaims: "All I want is big shoes/Tie shoes/Fast shoes/Red and
black jump high shoes./Line them up by Daddy's/and call them all our shoes." "Spin,"
"Noah's Moon," and "Baby Sister" round out the set. Each poem is accompanied by realistic
oil paintings reproduced in luminous full color. Together they capture the spirit of AfricanAmerican Noah, whose poems these are, amid his loving parents and two sisters. The
artwork catches touching moments of affection and play among the family members; it
enhances the text's energy by using changing perspectives and motion.
Amazing Grace
By: Mary Hoffman
Illustrated by: Caroline Binch
Age Level: 4-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
DESCRIPTION:
Grace loves to act, but one day some kids tell her she can't play the part of Peter Pan
because of the way she looks. Her parents tell her she can do anything she wants. And she
does! An inspiring and heartwarming story.