AFRICAN AMERICAN |
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AFRICAN AMERICAN Scroll down or click on your choice below |
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BOOKS BY AND ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS - ALL AGES
To retell these stories, get permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
In performance, always credit your sources.
Book titles are in dark blue and underlined. Click on them to learn more about the books and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
Baby-Preschool and Ages 4-8
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All the Colors of the Earth (Mulberry Books) by Sheila Hamanaka (illus). (1999 - Ages 4-8) A poetic picture book and an exemplary work of art. The simple text describes children's skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena ("...the roaring browns of bears"; "...hair that curls like sleeping cats in snoozy cat colors") and then describes love for these children with rich colors and flavors ("...love comes in cinnamon, walnut, and wheat..."). Pair with Adoff's Black is Brown is Tan  for younger readers, or All the Colors of the Race . |
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Allie's Basketball Dream by Barbara Barber. (1998 - Ages 4-8) Allie, a young black girl, receives a basketball as a gift from her father. Having been in love with the sport since she attended a game at Madison Square Garden, she's anxious to test her skills with her new ball. Her father walks her to a park where she shoots a few hoops with little success. Allie runs into friends and acquaintances who decline to join her on the court. Undaunted, she begins to find the range of her shot, and others take notice. |
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Amazing Grace (Reading Rainbow Book) by Mary Hoffman (1991 - Ages 4-8)Grace loves to act out her favorite stories, taking every part from Joan of Arc to Mowgli. But when her class learns that they will be doing Peter Pan, the other kids tell Grace she can't have the lead: Peter's neither black nor a girl. Fortunately, Nana and Ma have contagious confidence in Grace's ability, and at the tryouts the class also agrees that Grace is best. It's easy to catch the wholesomely assertive spirit here. |
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Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold. (1995 - Ages 4-8) Using the symbolic motif of flying as she did in Tar Beach (Crown, 1991), Ringgold reintroduces Cassie and Be Be Lightfoot, who soar above oceans that look like cups of tea and meet a ``ramshackled train in the sky'' whose conductor is Harriet Tubman. Aunt Harriet, as she is called, explains that the railroad in the sky retraces her route to freedom every 100 years. One of the most dramatic chapters in American history. |
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Barack Obama: An American Story: An American Story (All Aboard Reading) by Roberta Edwards with Ken Call (illus). (2007 - Ages 4-8)Of mixed race and cultures, Barack Obama struggled for years with his identity and place in society. Having found his niche in public service, he has made history as the fifth African American U.S. senator ever to be elected. Now “the skinny kid” continues his political journey and has become the nation’s first black president. |
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Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes with Bryan Collier (illus). (2008 - Ages 4-8) Ever since Barack Obama was young, Hope has lived inside him. From the beaches of Hawaii to the streets of Chicago, from the jungles of Indonesia to the plains of Kenya, he has held on to Hope. Even as a boy, Barack knew he wasn't quite like anybody else, but through his journeys he found the ability to listen to Hope and become what he was meant to be: a bridge to bring people together. |
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Bigmama's by Donald Crews (illus). (1998 - Ages 4-8) (There is a whole series of Bigmama's books)When the train arrived in Cottondale, the summer at Bigmama's house in Florida began. Donald Crews brilliantly evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of a memorable childhood experience. "A very special book by a superb artist and storyteller."—Horn Book. |
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Billy the Great (Dell Picture Yearling) by Rosa Guy. (1994 - Ages 4-8)Billy is very young when his parents begin to plan his future. As he grows older, one thing becomes clear. Billy definitely has a mind of his own. When new neighbors move in and tempers flare, Billy's high spirits and independent nature allow him to prove that sometimes parents can learn a thing or two from their children. |
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Can You Dance, Dalila? by Virginia Kroll (1996 - Ages 4-8)When Dalila watches a television special about ballroom dancing, she declares, "Someday I'm gonna dance." Her grandmother, picking up on the girl's interest, proceeds to expose her to Irish jigs, country-line dancing, ballet, and tap. Dalila tries each of them, but her arms and legs will not cooperate. Finally, when she is ready to give up, her grandmother takes her to a festival where a West African troupe is about to perform... |
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Celebration! by Jane Resh Thomas. (1997 - Ages 4-8)It's the Fourth of July, and they are celebrating over at Maggie's house. On one level nothing much happens here: the family comes to celebrate the Fourth, and everyone (even Maurice) has a good time. But the events that do occur, simple though they may be, capture the way Americans spend their holidays. |
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Chair for My Mother, A. 25th Anniversary Edition (Reading Rainbow Book) by Vera B. Williams (illus.). (1984 - Ages 4-8)A young girl tells how she, her mother, and her grandmother save up all of their spare coins in a big glass jar toward the day when they will buy a much-needed easy chair. (Their old furniture and their possessions were destroyed in a fire.) If the plot is scant-after the jar fills up, mother, daughter, and grandmother buy the chair and bring it home-the atmosphere of anticipation and family warmth is strong. |
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Creativity |
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Darkness and the Butterfly |
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Flower Garden |
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Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter. (1992 - Ages 4-8) |
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Granddaddy's Gift |
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Grandpa's Face |
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Ma Dear's Aprons (Anne Schwartz Books) by Patricia Mckissack with Floyd Cooper (illus). (1997 - Ages 4-8)Graceful and deceptively simple, this book tells the story of a week in the life of a turn-of-the-century boy and his mother: McKissack's great-grandmother. Floyd Cooper's illustrations, misty as memory, bring readers so close, and with such warmth and welcome, that youngsters may feel that they, too, sit in the lap of Ma Dear's apron, a little sleepy, and very happy to be there. |
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Magic Moonberry Jump Ropes (The) by Dakari Hru. (1996 - Ages 4-8) Uncle Zambezi returns from Africa and brings a set of beautifully dyed jump-ropes for his nieces April and Erica, and the girls turn a boring summer vacation into one filled with new friends and fun. Traditional jump-rope rhymes are made multicultural, e.g., "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn around" is adapted to "Nubian Princess turn around." |
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Mirandy and Brother Wind (Dragonfly Books) by Patricia Mckissack with Jerry Pinkney (illus). (1997 - Ages 4-8)Mirandy is sure she'll win the cake walk if she can catch Brother Wind for her partner, but he eludes all the tricks her friends advise. This gets a high score for plot, pace, and characterization. Mirandy sparkles with energy and determination. (Also available in audio. Cassette running time: 20 min.) |
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Mrs. Katz and Tush (Reading Rainbow Book) by Patricia Polacco. (1994 - Ages 4-8)Larnel gets to know newly widowed Mrs. Katz when he goes along with his mother to pay a comforting visit; next day, he goes back with a tailless kitten ("Tush'') that she agrees to accept "if you'll come and help me with her.'' So begins a touching friendship between the lonely old immigrant and the young African-American. |
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Nappy Hair (Dragonfly Books) by Carolivia Herron. (1998 - Ages 4-8)At a family picnic, everyone pokes fun at the youngest girl's nappy hair. Devised as a call-and-response dialogue, the interchanges offer explanations and comments on why Brenda's hair is the nappiest, the curliest, the twistiest hair in the family. The answers involve African origins, God's intent, and pride in one's self; e.g., the Lord "looked down on this cute little brown baby girl" and said, "One nap of her hair is the only perfect circle in nature." |
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Only a Pigeon by Jane and Christopher Kurtz. (1997 - Ages 4-8)Set in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Upon rising, Ondu-ahlem, who looks 12, hurries to tend his beloved homing pigeons and their eggs, which will hatch soon. This is his passion, and as he goes through the routine of his day--a half-day at his crowded school, a job shining shoes on the streets--the birds are always on his mind. He allows his little brother to accompany him while he plays a suspenseful game with other boys who keep birds. |
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Place Called Freedom (A) by Scott Russell Sanders with Thomas B. Allen (illus). (2001 - Ages 4-8)After being freed from slavery in 1832, seven-year-old James Starman, his sister, and their parents walk from Tennessee to Indiana, where they decide to settle. Papa plants crops and builds a cabin; Mama sews clothes and teaches her children to read and write; and, whenever he can, Papa returns to Tennessee, transporting other friends and relatives to safety in the North. An entire town of African Americans develops—called Freedom. |
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Probity Jones And The Fear Not Angel (Paraclete Poetry) by Walter Wangerin with Tim Ladwig (illus). (2005 - Ages 4-8)Probity Jones is upset because she is too sick to act in the Christmas pageant. Worse, she became ill when her new jacket was stolen by some neighborhood kids, and her mother is too poor to buy another one. The family leaves for the pageant; she is alone and miserable. A real angel appears, wraps Probity in her soft shawl, and whisks her to the scene of the Nativity pageant, then flies her up to the heavenly host before bringing her back home. |
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Promise Me the Moon by Joyce Annette Barnes. (1997 - Ages 4-8)Born in the early 1970s, Annie Armstrong is a smart, determined 13-year-old African-American girl who dreams of being an astronaut. She is a realistic adolescent, experimenting with makeup, disagreeing with her parents, and getting in trouble in math class. She also stands up for herself and takes notice of the world around her. Though a teacher recommends that she apply to one of the best schools in Ohio, a trip to New York changes everything. |
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Sam and the Tigers: A Retelling of 'Little Black Sambo' (Picture Puffins) by Julius Lester with Jerry Pinkney (illus). (2000 - Ages 4-8)In the original story by Helen Bannerman, Little Black Sambo must tread carefully, lest his clothes be stolen from him by a gang of tigers. Today, it is the teller of the tale who must tread carefully, lest the forces of political correctness attack, charging racism. Because of the names she chose for her characters, the book has become a symbol of intolerance in the century since it was written. |
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Snowy Day (The) by Ezra Jack Keats. (1976 - Ages 4-8) The simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. 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. A Caldecott winner. |
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Staying Cool by Nancy Antle. (1997 - Ages 4-8) Every day after school Curtis hurries to join his grandfather at his gym where boxers, both adults and children, work out. Today he is distracted by the noises of the gym and his thoughts of keeping his cool. He knows that good boxers don't rely on anger, and he remembers how he lost his temper sparring with Trevor, a boy his age. Eventually, Curtis shows his grandfather that his lessons of self-discipline and moderation have made their mark. |
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Sunday Outing, The (Ernestine) by Gloria Jean Pinkney with Jerry Pinkney (illus). (1994 - Ages 4-8)Eight-year-old Ernestine and her Great-Aunt Odessa go to the North Philadelphia Station every Sunday to watch the trains heading south. The woman always prepares a snack and passes on reminiscences to her grandniece. Ernestine longs to visit her relatives in North Carolina, but her family can't afford a ticket. She offers to give up new clothes for the coming school year, and her parents each contribute something so she can make the trip. |
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Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt (Reading Rainbow Books) by Deborah Hopkinson (1995 - Ages 4-8)As a seamstress in the Big House, Clara dreams of a reunion with her Momma, who lives on another plantation--and even of running away to freedom. Then she overhears two slaves talking about the Underground Railroad. In a flash of inspiration, Clara sees how she can use the cloth in her scrap bag to make a map of the land--a freedom quilt--that no master will ever suspect. |
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Treasury Of African-American Christmas Stories by Bettye Collier-Thomas (compiler, editor). (1999)A collection of 18 stories and 2 poems exploring the significance of Christmas to African Americans and their embrace of Christianity, with its hope of a better afterlife and recognition of long-suffering faith. The works, originally published in black newspapers and periodicals between 1882 and 1939, embrace traditional themes but don't shrink from controversial subjects. |
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When Africa Was Home (Orchard Paperbacks) |
Ages 9-12 and YA
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African-American Folktales (American Storytelling) by Richard Young. (1993 - Ages 9-12)Thirty four folktales from Africa, the Caribbean, and the American South classified into seven categories: stories about heroic youngsters, animal fables, trickster tales, parables with human protagonists, larger-than-life heroes, scary stories, and modern Brother Rabbit tales. |
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Bonjour, Lonnie by Faith Ringgold. (1996 - Ages 9-12)In this fantastical, sweeping picture book, Lonnie is living in a Paris orphanage. He is visited one night by a magical Love Bird who inspires him to "look everywhere" for his loved ones. On his surreal search, Lonnie combs the streets and sights of Paris, even speaking to the Mona Lisa inside the Louvre. The journey changes course when Lonnie encounters the spirits of his deceased grandparents and parents. |
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Celie and the Harvest Fiddler by Valerie Flournoy. (1995 - Ages 9-12)When Celie, an African American girl of the 1870s, discovers her Allhallows Eve costume has fallen apart, she flees the laughing crowd to the forest, where a mysterious fiddler gives her a magic African mask that grants wishes to its wearer. Masked, she returns to the party, where her wish does come true -- sort of. She wins the prize for best costume but is chased back to the forest by two wolves... |
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Days When the Animals Talked, The: Black American Folktales and How They Came to Be (Young Readers) by William J. Faulkner with Troy Howell (illus). (1993 - Ages 9-12)Presents more than 20 Afro-American folktales featuring the escapades of Brer Rabbit and more than 10 tales describing the lives of Afro-American slaves. |
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For the Love of the Game : My Story by Michael Jordan and Eloise Greenfield. (1998 - Ages 9-12)It's not easy imagining a volume capable of capturing the grace, the joy, the flamboyance, and the wizardry of Michael Jordan, but this hybrid--melding autobiography, celebration, spectacular photography, and cutting-edge graphics--comes awfully close. Like Jordan driving the lane, it's a thing of beauty; harder to analyze than it is to admire, accept, gaze at, and enjoy. |
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Leopard's Drum, The. Punjabi/English-Language Edition: An Asante Tale from West Africa (Dual Language) |
TOYS AND GAMES - AFRICAN AMERICAN
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Product titles are in dark blue and underlined. Click on them to learn more about the products and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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Baby Alive African American Learns To Potty Playing house is even more realistic with this sweet baby doll; press the doll’s bracelet to wake her up. Time to eat; mix her special food and feed her, using her bowl and spoon—she’ll chew her food, drink from her bottle and tell you how much she likes it Since she’s "potty training", she’ll also let you know when she needs to go; better hurry, though—put her on the potty and she’ll go. |
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Baby Alive Sip and Slurp - African American After a day full of play, nothing's better than a nice cool drink. Mix up some doll juice for your Baby Alive doll. Squeeze her tummy and watch her "drink" the juice through the straw. She even blinks as she drinks! Then change her wet diaper, and she's ready to play again.Doll comes with t-shirt, sippy cup with lid and straw, two packets of doll juice mix and two doll diapers. |
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Baby Alive Sip 'n Snooze African American Newborn 3 Play "mommy" with this amazing doll that gets "sleepy" as you "feed" her! After a full day of play, this little one is bound to be ready for bedtime. Give your Sip 'N Snooze doll her bottle, turn it slowly and see your baby nod off to sleep. Snuggle her as she naps but be careful not to wake her because before you know it, she'll be ready for "feeding time" all over again. |
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Baby Born Look Mommy, I Can Swim- AA Baby Born is a natural swimmer! Her arms move and her legs kick. Her arms can be set in a swimming pose. She starts to swim as soon as she's placed in the water. She swims along on the surface with her face turned to the side. Includes lots of fun accessories. Includes one BABY born Swimming Doll, one slip-on mermaid tail, one pair of flip-flop sandals, one pair of sunglasses, one starfish water and squeaker toy, one headband. |
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Barack Obama 6" Action Figure In a time when America so desperately needed a hero, along came a man to show us a brand new vision of what America and the world could be in the 21st century. In many ways, Obama is the closest thing we've ever seen to a superhero... someone who has literally inspired millions of people simultaneously to step past fear, to be brave enough to hope and to go past cynicism and imagine what we could be if we were at our best. That's the stuff of legend! |
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Barack Obama Change 500pc Jigsaw Puzzle 500 Pieces Completed Size 18in x 24in Limited Edition |
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Barbie Fantasy Groom AA This handsome Barbie Groom doll awaits beautiful Wedding Day Barbie doll in a stylish and modern tuxedo. Girls can create their fantasy wedding with both. Each sold separately. Dolls cannot stand alone. Doll measures 12" high. |
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2008 Barbie for President Doll AA Barbie doll is just the ticket for election-day success in classic blue stripes and must-have accoutrements cell phone, laptop computer and laptop case. Add a little glam with extra fashions for the inaugural evening from the beautiful gown to lovely evening accessories. |
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Mattel: High School Musical Chad Doll Bring Chad from High School Musical 2 to life. These designer dolls capture your favorite stars in amazing detail. Each of the dolls is designed in the likeness of its movie counterpart, and comes dressed in an outfit featured in the film. Also includes one extra beachware outfit for fun in the sun. Chad measures approximately 13" tall. Collect them all. |
ONLINE LINKS TO STORIES / INFORMATION BY AND ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS
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Online links are in dark blue and underlined. Click on them to get more stories / information.
Short descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.
• http://tinyurl.com/yc4lmd4
African American Culture and History (George Washington University)
• http://tinyurl.com/c9pjmx
African American Folktales
• http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/bassr/heath/syllabuild/iguide/african.html
African American Folktales for the Classroom
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_folktales
African American Folktales - Wikipedia
• http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0124.html
"Awful Fate of Mr. Wolf (The") and "The Story of the Pigs" by Joel Chandler Harris.
• http://blackhistory.com/cgi-bin/custom/enter.cgi
Black History
• http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/BHM/bh_hotlist.html
Black History Hotlist
• http://resources.kaboose.com/kidslinks/social-studies/black-history/Black_History.html
Black History Links
• http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html
Black History Month
• http://www.history.com/minisites/blackhistory/
Black History Videos from the History Channel
• http://tinyurl.com/cxk56c
Images from Black History, key in "Black History" to Google.
• http://www.afro.com/children/myths/myths.html
Kids Zone: Myths and fables from around the world
• http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/BHM/index.html
Knowledge Network Explorers: Patchwork of African American Life
• http://multicultural.mrdonn.org/AfricanAm.html
MrDonn.org: African Americans
• http://www.sisterbecky.com/
"Sister Becky's Baby"
• http://www.teachervision.fen.com/folk-tales/activity/3721.html
TeacherVision: Activities for African Folk Tales: Grade Levels K-5
• http://www.mollybang.com/wiley.html
"Wiley and the Hairy Man" from Molly Bank
• http://www.dirtynelson.com/linen/133/133jenkins.html
Ella Jenkin's tapes of call-and-response songs. There are many from Africa and they are good for audience participation.
SOS - SEARCHING OUT STORIES AND INFORMATION BY AND ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICANS
ADVICE, DISCUSSION AND REFERENCES FROM STORYTELLERS, TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS
(excerpts from Storytell posts plus original research)
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1) Wisdom Tales from Around the World (World Storytelling)
2) Storyteller's Start-Up Book
There are so many good African legends and tales, and many of them short enough to use with this age group. Check Margaret Read McDonald's books (listed above) for stories that include participation.
3) http://www.uexress.com/tellmeastory/index.html?uc_full_date=20031128
"Uwungalema, or The Name of the Tree," may be told for this age group. Use lots of repetition and perhaps a turtle puppet and a drum with it. (One child will play the drum to indicate the speed of each animal going to the king). It's one of those excellent stories that can be stretched out or compressed depending on your time.
(This web page updated 12/3/05; 11/11/08; 5/3/09)
Story Lovers World ... 707-996-1996 |
by John Steptoe with E.B. Lewis (illus). (2003 - Ages 4-8)
by Ann Grifalconi. (1987 - Ages 4-8)
by Eve Bunting. (2000 - Ages 4-8) 
by Margaree King Mitchell with Larry Johnson (illus). (1997 - Ages 4-8)
by Eloise Greenfield. (1996 - Ages 4-8)
by Karen Lynn Williams. (1994 - Baby-Preschool)
by Jessica Souhami. (2006 - Ages 9-12)