Grandma’s Purple Flowers ~ Adjoa J. Burrowes
This book is about a little girl and the love she has for her grandmother. A big hug and smile is always awaiting her at her grandmother's house.
Blog Posts
Can You Dance, Dalila? ~ Virginia Kroll
This is a fun little story about a girl and her developing interest in dance. She attempts many forms of dance including the jig, line dancing, ballet, and tap dancing.
Jonathan and His Mommy ~ Irene Smalls
Jonathan and his mom like to take walks together, but not just any walks. They imagine they are giants. They take giant steps and talk in giant voices.
The Princess and the Pea ~ Rachel Isadora
This book is the retelling of the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, with a beautiful African setting!
Sing-Along Song ~ JoAnn Early Macken
This book is about a cute little boy who loves to sing. He sings along with everything from the chirping robins in the morning and the busy, buzzing bumble bees to the chitter-chatter of the squirrel and the woof sound of the drowsy dog.
My Best Friend ~ Mary Ann Rodman
This story is about Lily (a 6 year old) girl who desperately wants Tamika (a 7 year old) to be her best friend. Despite all the teasing, Lily does all she can to become Tamika's best friend.
Grandfather and I ~ Helen E. Buckley
This is a cute little book about a little boy and the special, relaxed time he shares with his grandfather. Mothers hurry, fathers hurry, brothers and sisters hurry, but "grandfather and I never hurry.
The Patchwork Quilt ~ Valerie Flournoy
This is a beautiful story about the bond shared between Tanya and her grandmother as they talk about each piece of fabric that is cut and stitched together as part of a quilt of memories.
These Hands ~ Hope Lynne Price
This is a poetic picture book about the power and beauty of our hands and all of the wonderful things that can come from our hands. "These hands can touch. These hands can feel. These hands create. These hands can build."
JoJo’s Flying Side Kick ~ Brian Pinkney
My kids enjoyed this book. In fact, my daughter expressed interest in taking Tae Kwon Do, although the desire was short-lived! The book is about a girl named JoJo who is getting ready for her final test for her yellow belt promotion, which is to break a board with a flying sidekick.
The Book Itch ~ Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Based on the life of Lewis Henri Michaux and his bookstore, the National Memorial African Bookstore, which was located in Harlem Square just down the street from the infamous Apollo Theater, this book clearly emphasizes the importance of reading books and acquiring knowledge.
Fireflies for Nathan ~ Shulamith Levey Oppenheim
This book is about a six year old boy who visits his grandparents. Asking his grandparents about what his father enjoyed doing when he was six, Nathan is interested to find that his father's favorite thing was catching fireflies.
What Makes the Seasons? ~ Megan Montague Cash
This rhyming story features a curious little girl who discovers how the weather changes through the different seasons.
Can You Hear the Sea? ~ Judy Cumberbatch
This story is very bright and fun! It would be a great addition to an ocean or sea shell themed learning unit. Sarah's grandpa gives her a "magic" sea shell and tells her that if she listens closely she would be able to hear the sea.
It’s B! ~ Katherine Hengel
This book begins with some instruction about the letter B and showcases words that begin with, end with, and contain the letter B. Instruction is followed by a short story about Bailey who loves to read book after book.
Martin’s Big Words ~ Doreen Rappaport
We read this book in preparation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I love the illustrations and I love the way that the author highlights some of Dr. King's BIG words, such as, "Everyone can be great" and "Love is the key to the problems of the world."
Nobody Owns the Sky ~ Reeve Lindbergh
The brave Bessie Coleman was a dare-devil stunt flyer in air shows around the United States during the 1920s. She became the first black aviator in the world by getting her pilots license in France.
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream ~ Crystal Hubbard
Marcenia Lyle (aka Toni Stone) was the first female to play on an all-male pro baseball team. In 1953, at the age of 32, she signed to play 2nd base for the Negro League, filling Hank Aaron's position when he moved to the Major Leagues.
Keep On! The Story of Matthew Henson ~ Deborah Hopkinson
Many are unaware that when Richard Peary discovered the North Pole, he was not alone. Fellow explorer, Matthew Henson, co-discoverer of the North Pole, kept on, even "in the face of storms of wind and snow that it is impossible for you to imagine."
Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton ~ Don Tate
Despite being a slave, George Moses Horton taught himself to read as a boy. Horton loved words and was drawn to the lyrical sound of poetry.