Browse Items · Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University

Tags: african american

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Flyaway girl

Grifalconi, Ann

Flyaway girl needs to learn to be a wise little woman for the New Year in her village. She is against the whole idea at first, but then she thinks it would not be that bad.

Tags

african american, challenges, change, decision making, family, grandparents, growing up, multicultural, new year, parents, self esteem, verbal communication

City rhythms

Grifalconi, Ann

Jimmy's dad talks about keeping up with the rhythm of the city, but Jimmy doesn't understand what his dad means until the end of the summer when Jimmy makes the city rhythms his own.

Tags

activities, african american, bedtime, community, family, five senses, multicultural, parents, rhythm, seasons, summer

Xavier feels sad, angry, and jealous towards his new step brother, Chris. Xavier soon realizes that Chris is coping with loneliness and resentment too. The pain over losing a parent to divorce forms a special band between Xavier and Chris so they promise each other, that no one will ever leave. Through short vignettes, the story ends with Our family is a song we sing, and we can add new notes anytime we like.

Tags

african american, aggression, anger, apology, baby, baseball, bedtime, behavior, books, celebration, change, chores, climbing, comparisons, conflict, conflict resolution, divorce, emotions, family, fear, feelings, friendship, fun, games, hispanic, jealousy, mountains, multicultural, parents, photograph, playing, pregnancy, relationship, rhythm, school, self esteem, siblings, sports, stepfather, stepmother, sympathy, technology, telephone, verbal communication, wedding

Welcome, precious

Grimes, Nikki

A young couple welcomes a new baby to the world, and introduces the baby to the wonders of nature: the rainbow, birds, grass and sunlight. The new baby is also introduced to caring relationships and love- and the pictures illustrate the miracle of it all.

Tags

african american, baby, balloon, bath, bedtime, family, fun, games, glasses, grandparents, happiness, home, love, marriage, moon, morning, multicultural, night, parents, plants, play, rainbow, rhythm, sky

Nobiah's well: A modern African folktale

Guthrie, Donna

Nobiah is an African American boy who is very generous. One day he fetches water for his mother, but by the time he gets home, his water is all gone. His generosity pays off when his friends build him a well in return.

Tags

african american, animals, bear, beverage, family, helping, multicultural, parents, responsibilities, seasons, sharing, siblings, summer, water

Billy the great

Guy, Rosa

Billy's parents have tried to plan his life for him since the day he was born. They try to even choose his friends. But, Billy knows what he wants so he proves to them that he can do it.

Tags

african american, argument, critical thinking, decision making, family, friendship, goal setting, gymnastics, multicultural, parents, refusal skills, self esteem, sports, verbal communication

Mary had a little lamb

Hale, Sarah Josepha

A lamb, who goes to school, has a famous 19th century nursery rhyme and song written about it.

Tags

african american, animals, critical thinking, love, loyalty, multicultural, music, nonverbal communication, peer resistance, school, self esteem, sheep, song

Be bop-a-do walk

Hamanaka, Sheila

Emi and Martha go on a very long walk with Emi's dad. After many stops they reach Central Park, where Emi's dad makes them paper sail boats and hats. They are too tired to walk home so they take the bus. Emi's dad makes paper cranes for everyone.

Peace crane

Hamanaka, Sheila

A young African American girl learns about the Peace Crane, created by Sadako Sasaki, survivor of Hiroshima. The girl wishes the Peace Crane would take her away from the violence in her own world to a place without racism and violence.

Tags

african american, author's note, birds, crane, death, dreams, feelings, hope, japanese, love, multicultural, nonverbal communication, peace, prejudice, racism, sadness, self esteem, verbal communication, violence, war

Laney's lost momma

Hamm, Diane Johnston

Laney can't find her mom in the department store. But luckily, she and her lost mom remember exactly where to find each other.

Tags

african american, conflict resolution, critical thinking, decision making, family, fear, feelings, goal setting, helping, lost, multicultural, obedience, parents, reunion, self esteem, separation, shopping, stress management, verbal communication

Women of hope: African Americans who made a difference

Hansen, Joyce

Twelve amazingly talented women of hope are highlighted for their creative and courageous contributions to American life. Their careers as African American women reflect and demonstrate a variety of social role models for all children - role models that these twelve women did not have for showing them the way when breaking through barriers.

Tags

african american, autobiography, careers, civil rights, courage, creativity, decision making, differences, future, goal setting, history, hope, photograph, respect, segregation, social justice, talent, writing

Going north

Harrington, Janice N

Goodbye, Alabama, hello, Lincoln, Nebraska! This family moves from the South to the North so that the papa can find a better job. During their trip up North the family endures a couple struggles, such as the children not wanting to leave their home, the baby crying, and getting restless, and lastly, almost running out of gas! They make it to Nebraska and realize they are together and need to be brave and pioneering.

Tags

african american, car, cooking, decision making, emotions, family, food, goal setting, listening, maps, multicultural, parents, pioneers, refusal skills, sadness, siblings, song, sounds, storytelling, transportation, travel, verbal communication

Things i like about grandma

Haskins, Francine

A grandmother and granddaughter have a special relationship together. They share moments of teaching, sharing, and bonding.

Tags

african american, family, giving, grandparents, multicultural, nonverbal communication, sharing, teaching, verbal communication

A to z do you ever feel like me?

Hausman, Bonnie

How are you feeling today?Join the children in this book to find out if they are feeling the same way. Learn the letters of the alphabet while you solve the puzzles of emotions. Have fun!

Sofie's role

Heath, Amy

One day before Christmas, Sofie goes to work at her family's Broadway Bakery. The store is filled with many customers and Sofie's help is greatly needed.

Tags

african american, careers, christmas, family, food, helping, holidays, multicultural, nutrition, responsibilities

Nappy hair

Herron, Carolivia

Brenda has nappy hair all over her head. Her Uncle Mordecai tells the story that God gave Brendy nappy hair even though the angels tried to talk him out of it. Brenda is special, because God created the only perfect circle in nature in one nap of her hair.

Tags

african american, angel, assertiveness, body image, body parts, celebration, family, feelings, god, multicultural, nonverbal communication, pride, self esteem, storytelling, uniqueness

Come on, rain!

Hesse, Karen

A heat wave hits Tess's town and she's sizzling like a hot potato. Mamma's plants are all dying and all Tess wishes for is a little bit of rain. As she feels the rain coming, she runs to get her friends and they all change into bathing suits. The rain comes down in big drops and the girls dance, laugh, and play in the cool raindrops.

Mr. George Baker

Hest, Amy

Harry enjoys spending time with his older next door neighbor, Mr. Baker. Harry likes to wait for the bus with Mr. George Baker. Harry learns about Mr. Baker's life as a musician and learns that a person is never too old to learn to read.

Tags

african american, aging, autumn, body parts, books, bus, clothing, dancing, education, embarrassment, friendship, fun, generations, happiness, hard work, instruments, learning, love, marriage, multicultural, music, school, seasons, shoes, tobacco, transportation, walking

Mr. George Baker

Hest, Amy

Mr. George Baker is a 100 year old musician who lives next door to Harry, a young schoolboy. They wait for the school bus together each morning to take them to school. They are both learning to read, and helping each other along the way.

Tags

african american, aging, autumn, bus, dancing, exercise, food, friendship, happiness, instruments, multicultural, music, neighbors, rhythm, school, seasons, transportation

Robert lives with his grandparents

Hickman, Martha Whitmore

After his parents divorce, Robert goes to live with his grandparents. Robert's father moves away and his mother goes into drug rehabilitation. Even though Robert loves his grandparents, he is embarrassed to bring them to Parent's Day at school.

Evan's corner

Hill, Elizabeth Starr

Evan needs a place of his own so he fixes up a corner in his house with pictures, furniture, and pet turtles!When Evan is done with his corner, he decides to help his siblings fix up their corners!

Tags

african american, assertiveness, boredom, creativity, critical thinking, decision making, family, helping, multicultural, parents, siblings, verbal communication

Boundless grace

Hoffman, Mary

According to the stories Grace read, her family is not normal. Grace's father lives in Africa while she and her mother live in America. Grace visits her father to learn about his new family and the African culture in Gambia. Grace's visit to Africa helps her to understand that her family is normal.

Tags

african, african american, change, comparisons, crocodile, divorce, family, grandparents, letters, love, multicultural, parents, reptiles, shopping, siblings, storytelling, travel, vacation, verbal communication

Amazing grace

Hoffman, Mary//Binch, Caroline

Grace loves to act out stories or fantasies. When her school decides to put on a production of Peter Pan, she wants to be Peter. Everyone says she cannot because she is a black girl. She dances and practices a lot for the audition and at the audition it is evident that she will be the best Peter Pan.

Tags

acceptance, acting, african american, bias, confidence, dancing, Days of The Week, determination, exercise, fantasy, goal setting, multicultural, performance, school, self esteem, stereotypes, storytelling

Grandpa, is everything black bad?

Holman, Sandy Lynne

Montsho struggles with the dark color of his skin. Everything around him that is black is considered bad. Thankfully, Muntsho's grandfather teaches him to appreciate his black skin by telling him stories about his African heritage.

Tags

activities, africa, african, african american, animals, bedtime, colors, confusion, death, discrimination, egypt, emotions, friendship, glasses, grandparents, greek, history, identity, instruments, inventions, language, playing, pride, relationship, rhythm, royalty, self esteem, sounds, storytelling, television, traditions, understanding, witches

Happy to be nappy

Hooks, Bell

A whimsical rhythm of sweet jive jumps from watercolored illustrations on different pages to portray portraits of little girls who celebrate their African American culture. Hooray for the frizzy, fuzzy, nappy, twisty hair!Hooray for the sizzling semblance and fantastic flare that shines in every hair on every head. Beauty lies everywhere.

Tags

african american, appearance, appreciation, awareness, beauty, body parts, caring, celebration, child care, cleanliness, closeness, colors, comparisons, confidence, creativity, culture, day, differences, family, feelings, fun, happiness, health, hope, images, individuality, multicultural, parents, play, pride, rhythm, self confidence, self esteem, shapes

Homemade love

Hooks, Bell

Young Girlpie lives with her parents. Girlpie's world is magical where all hurt can be healed, wrongs forgiven and peace found in the world. The comfort that is provided by her home eases her fears and helps her to lead a happy life.

Tags

african american, animals, dog, family, feelings, food, gymnastics, happiness, love, memories, multicultural, nutrition, parents, sadness, seasons, sleep, sports, spring

A band of angels: A story inspired by the jubilee singers

Hopkinson, Deborah

A young girl listens to a story told by her aunt. Her story is about the young girl's great great grandmother and how she used her voice and dedication to fight for her education after the slaves were freed. The story was also tells how a group of singers toured and sang slave songs. They were trying to save their school, but ended up creating a university.

When will sarah come?

Howard, Elizabeth F.

Jonathon's big sister Sarah is off to her first day of school. While she's gone, Jonathon tries to keep himself busy until she returns. He builds blocks with his grandma, rides his fire truck, and blows bubbles. He hears many sounds outside, but none of them are Sarah. When will Sarah come?Finally, Jonathon sees a yellow school bus. Sarah is finally home and now they can play together.

Virgie goes to school with us boys

Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald

After President Lincoln frees the slaves a man opens up a school for African Americans. All boys attend the school. Five boys that go to this school have a little sister that badly wants to go also. They tell her the hourney is too treacherous. After asking to go all summer, her parents finally allow her to go to school with her brothers.

What's in aunt mary's room

Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald

Susan and Sarah love to play what's in Aunt Mary's room? All great Aunt Flossie will say is: It's full of things to save, things to keep. One day the girls get to find out what's in Aunt Mary's room, and they get to learn about their ancestors in the process.

Tags

african american, books, death, family, games, imagination, multicultural, spiritual, surprises, traditions

Joshua's masai mask

Hru, Dakari

When Joshua is pressured by his parents to play his African instrument in the school talent show, he is embarrassed because it is not as cool as the rap his friends will do. His uncle then gives him a magical mask which makes Joshua seem cool to other people. When he realizes he would rather make music with his Kalimmba, he is a hit at the talent show.

Tags

african american, competition, embarrassment, empathy, fable, family, instruments, magic, music, parents, performance, school

The magic moonberry jump ropes

Hru, Dakari

April and Erica love to Double Dutch, but they have no friends to Double Dutch with. When their Uncle Zambezi returns from a trip to Tanzania, he gives the girls a jump rope that will grant wishes because it is made from magic moonberries. The girls Double Dutch and wish for two new friends to arrive. Suddenly, a moving van pulls up, and a family with a boy and girl moves in across the street.

Tags

african american, author's note, bicycle, biking, colors, exercise, family, friendship, jump rope, jumping, karate, language, multicultural, neighbors, plants, play, rhyme, siblings, skating, wish

Teacher! Sharing, helping, caring

Hubbell, Patricia

Great big school! In we go! Our teacher greets us, waves hello! A teacher and her class do lots of interesting things throughout the week. They paint, read, look at weather charts, count money, work on the computer, and greet a special guest. The students not only learn, but they have fun, too. And so does the teacher!

Tags

african american, alphabet, art, asian american, careers, caring, computer, cooperation, Days of The Week, garden, helping, learning, multicultural, music, numbers, playground, reading, role model, school, teaching

Bright eyes, brown skin

Hudson, Cheryl Willis//Ford, Bernette G.

Young children, who are African American, go about their daily lives. They describe their features including their bright eyes and brown skin.

Tags

african american, appearance, differences, friendship, multicultural, nonverbal communication, school

Jamal's busy day

Hudson, W.

Jamal compares his busy day at school with that of his father, an architect, and his mother, an accountant. Jamal spends his day at school learning and playing with friends, but he has a great time doing it.

Tags

african american, assertiveness, careers, decision making, family, growing up, learning, multicultural, parents, self esteem, stress management, working mother

I love my family

Hudson, Wade

A family takes a summer trip to Grandpa Lawrence's farm in North Carolina. The family enjoys laughing, talking, playing basketball, dancing and having a picnic together. Everyone hates to leave at the end of the week.

Tags

african american, family, food, multicultural, nutrition, picnic, storytelling

The two Tyrones

Hudson, Wade

Tyrone Rashon Williams goes to school on the first day, excited about his new sneakers that he bought himself. He is disappointed when he gets there and finds that everyone has the same ones, and there is a new student, Tyrone Rashon Williams. Tyrone must deal with both of his problems, and get things back to normal.

The river that gave gifts: An afro american story

Humphrey, Margo

When Yanava and her friends find out that Neema, the elder woman of the town, is losing her sight they decide to make special gifts for her. While sitting next to the river pondering over what to give Neema, Yanava is called to put her hands in the river. The river helps her hands produce a rainbow, which gives Neema the light she needs to see.

Tags

african american, blindness, bodies of water, five senses, friendship, giving, multicultural, presents, rainbow, river, sharing, sight, vision

At the crossroads

Isadora, Rachel

A little boy and the children in a poor South African village, sing and expect the arrival of their fathers who work in the mines. They sing, dance, make instruments, and sit in the dark until their fathers finally arrive.

Tags

african american, anticipation, careers, celebration, community, family, multicultural, music, parents, poverty, reunion, stress management, verbal communication

Ben's trumpet

Isadora, Rachel

Ben is a young boy who loves to go into the jazz club and listen to all of the different instruments. He especially likes the trumpet. He often pretends he is playing the trumpet until one day he actually receives one.

Tags

african american, excitement, friendship, kindness, multicultural, music, nonverbal communication, peer resistance, presents, self esteem, teasing

Somebody's new pajamas

Jackson, Isaac

Jerome becomes good friends with Robert, a new boy at school. On the night that Jerome sleeps over at Robert's house, Robert shares a pair of his pajamas. Jerome learns that it's okay if people do things a little differently.

A sweet smell of roses

Johnson, Angela

One morning, after a night of rain, Minnie and her sister sneak out of the house to join many men and women to march for freedom and equality. When they arrive at the beginning of the march, the girls walk with many others keeping their eyes straight ahead and their feet steady. Despite the criticism and yells from people standing by, the girls continue to march. As the day passes, more people join the march to where Dr. Martin Luther King gives his famous speech about peace, love, and equality for all.

Sunday week

Johnson, Dinah

A community describes each day of their weekly routine. The community is constantly looking forward to their Sunday traditions. Sunday is rich with family time, the Lord, and storytelling.

Tags

african american, books, car, careers, choir, church, Days of The Week, exercise, faith, family, god, hard work, hunger, jumping, love, market, multicultural, music, neighbors, newspaper, practice, prayer, promise, quiet, reading fish, rest, routine, school, sequence, singing, spiritual, traditions, transportation, travel

Quinnie blue

Johnson, Dinah

Hattie wonders about the activities of her grandmother Quinnie Blue when she was little. Trips to Carolina, singing, eating, reciting poems, and braiding hair with her family come to mind.

Tags

african american, author's note, body parts, celebration, church, easter, family, food, games, generations, grandparents, identity, instruments, multicultural, music, nutrition, picnic, song, traditions, trees

Now let me fly

Johnson, Dolores

A family moves from Africa to America. They suffer hardships in anticipation of a different future.

Tags

african american, assertiveness, change, coping, family, feelings, grief, moving, multicultural, parents, peer resistance, sadness, self esteem, separation, slavery, stress management, travel

Lift every voice and sing

Johnsson, James Weldan

Lift every voice puts pictures to the African American National Anthem. The lyrics tell the story of Black people's past struggles and the hope that Blacks will continue to have towards their future.

Tags

africa, african american, bodies of water, body parts, courage, culture, day, diversity, family, fear, freedom, god, history, hope, illustrator's note, lyrics, moon, multicultural, music, night, poetry, pride, relationship, rhythm, running, sea, ship, singing, sky, song, tree, violence, water

The wagon

Johnston, Tony

A slave boy grows up on a plantation with his family. He hates being a slave and wishes that he could be free. Soon the war comes and President Lincoln sets the slaves free. The boy and his family celebrate as they leave the plantation in the wagon they built.

Tags

african american, assertiveness, celebration, family, feelings, freedom, grandparents, happiness, history, love, multicultural, nonverbal communication, parents, sadness, slavery, transportation, wagon

When I am old with you

Johson, Angela

A grandfather and a young boy talk and participate in a variety of activites together. Grandaddy and the child play cards, go fishing, enjoy nature, eat together, and play dress up.

Tags

african american, animals, birds, boat, car, clothing, dancing, dog, family, feelings, firefly, fishing, flowers, fly, food, friendship, games, grandparents, happiness, insects, multicultural, nature, nutrition, picnic, play, relationship, tractor, tree, walking, woods

Splash!

Jonas, Ann

A young girl owns a cat and a dog which are constantly falling in the pond with the fish and frogs. Each time a different animal falls in, the question, How many are in my pond? is asked again.

Tags

african american, animals, bodies of water, cat, confusion, counting, dog, dragonfly, fish, five senses, frog, goldfish, insects, multicultural, numbers, pond, sequence, turtle

The secret Olivia told me

Joy, N.

Olivia develops interpersonal skills by realizing how her words affect her friends. Olivia and her best friend realize the importance of honesty and trust in their friendship.

Tags

african american, balloon, basketball, body parts, books, buildings, colors, excitement, feelings, friendship, italian, jumping, multicultural, playing, relationship, secrets, siblings, soccer, sports, telephone, truth, worry

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