Our intention is to acquire and make available ALL picture books featuring indigenous people and people of color published in the U.S. since 2002, including reprints. Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL recommendation. See our related readings page for suggested links for evaluating books.
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Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull (c. 1831-1890) was one of the greatest Lakota /Sioux warriors and chiefs who ever lived. From Sitting Bull's childhood -- killing his first buffalo at age 10 -- to being named war chief to leading his people against the U.S. Army, this book brings the story of the great chief to light. Sitting Bull was instrumental in the war against the invasive wasichus (white men) and was at the forefront of the combat, including the Battles of Killdeer Mountain and the Little Bighorn. He and Crazy Horse were the last Lakota/Sioux to surrender their people to the U.S. government and resort to living on a reservation
Beacon to freedom
Tells the story of nineteenth century abolitionist Reverend John Rankin and his brave early efforts working as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, risking his safety and the safety of his family to help nearly two thousand slaves escape from Kentucky to Ohio
A change of heart
A young African American and the son of sharecroppers, Lanier Phillips escapes the violence, racism and segregation of his Georgia home by joining the navy during the Second World War. But tragedy strikes the USS Truxtun one February night off the southeastern coast of Newfoundland, and Lanier is the lone black survivor of the terrible shipwreck. When he arrives onshore, the community's kindness and humanity bring him back to health and change his outlook on life. He went on to march for black rights with Martin Luther King and remained forever grateful to the small town of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland
Lila and the crow
Lila has just moved to a new town and can't wait to make friends at school. But on the first day, a boy points at her and shouts: "A crow! A crow! The new girl's hair is black like a crow!" The others whisper and laugh, and Lila's heart grows as heavy as a stone. The next day, Lila covers her hair. But this time, the boy points at her dark skin. When she covers her face, he mocks her dark eyes. Now every day at school, Lila hides under her turtleneck, dark glasses, and hat. And every day when she goes home, she sees a crow who seems to want to tell her something. Lila ignores the bird and even throws rocks at it, but it won't go away. Meanwhile, the great autumn festival is approaching. While the other kids prepare their costumes, Lila is sadder and lonelier than ever. At her lowest point of despair, a magical encounter with the crow opens Lila's eyes to the beauty of being different, and gives her the courage to proudly embrace her true self
The story of Passover
Tells the story of the enslavement of the children of Israel by the pharaoh, the coming of Moses, the ten plagues that struck Egypt, and the delivery of the children of Israel from slavery, the event that became known as Passover
The little piano girl
A child prodigy at the piano sprinkles her music with a little jazz. Includes an afterword about the life of the twentieth-century jazz musician, Mary Lou Williams
The amazing age of John Roy Lynch
"A picture book biography of John Roy Lynch, one of the first African-Americans elected into the United States Congress"--Provided by publisher
Lucky beans
During the Great Depression, Marshall, an African American boy, uses lessons learned in arithmetic class and guidance from his mother to figure out how many beans are in a jar in order to win her a new sewing machine in a contest
Testing the ice
Jackie Robinson's daughter shares memories of her father as a testament to his courage. From his baseball career and his legendary breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball, to afterwards, during his retirement from baseball, when he once tested the ice for her on pond at their Connecticut residence, even though he couldn't swim and was afraid of the water, she shows how he carried that same quality of quiet courage all through his life
Granddaddy’s turn
"Life on the farm with Granddaddy is full of hard work, but despite all the chores, Granddaddy always makes time for play, especially fishing trips. Even when there isn't a bite to catch, he reminds young Michael that it takes patience to get what's coming to you. One morning, when Granddaddy heads into town in his fancy suit, Michael knows that something very special must be happening--and sure enough, everyone is lined up at town hall! For the very first time, Granddaddy is allowed to vote, and he couldn't be more proud. But can Michael be patient when justice just can't come soon enough?" --|cProvided by publisher
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