Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public. *Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.* Click here for more on book evaluation.
COVID-19 Info: Currently, our collection is only available via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). However, we appreciate your patience as these services are still limited and you may find inactive links to the Bates Library Catalog and MARC record on certain book pages.
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Exquisite
"A picture-book biography of celebrated poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize" -- publisher
A song for Gwendolyn Brooks
"Gwendolyn Brooks grew up on the South Side of Chicago, reading constantly and writing poetry from a very young age. Nurtured by her parents, who celebrated her gift with words, she would ultimately write twenty collections of poetry, and a novel, giving voice to the urban Black experience and becoming the first Black writer to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize"--From dust jacket
Birth of the Cool
"As a young musician, Miles Davis heard music everywhere. This biography explores the childhood and early career of a jazz legend as he finds his voice and shapes a new musical sound. Follow his progression from East St. Louis to rural Arkansas, from Julliard and NYC jazz clubs to the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival. Rhythmic free verse imbues his story with musicality and gets readers in the groove. Music teachers and jazz fans will appreciate the beats and details throughout, and Miles’ drive to constantly listen, learn, and create will inspire kids to develop their own voice." -- publisher
Sweet dreams, Sarah
"Sarah E. Goode was one of the first African-American women to get a US patent. Working in her furniture store, she recognized a need for a multi-use bed and through hard work, ingenuity, and determination, invented her unique cupboard bed. She built more than a piece of furniture. She built a life far away from slavery, a life where her sweet dreams could come true." --Amazon.com
Born to swing
Ever since she was a young girl, Lil Hardin played music with a beat. She jammed at home, at church, and even at her first job in a music store. At a time when women's only place in jazz was at the microphone, Lil earned a spot playing piano in Chicago's hottest band.
Daddy played the blues
When they are forced to leave their Mississippi farm, young Cassie and her family head north to Chicago in search of a better life, but never lose their blues- playing roots. Includes Author's Note and short biographies of 11 blues artists
Muddy
Presents the life of blues legend Muddy Waters, describing how he persisted with his interest in music despite a lack of encouragement from his family and record producers, leading him to Chicago where he was able to record his unique country blues sound
Ballesteros on my mind
The author tells the story of growing up with his family in the small town of Ballesteros in the Province of Cagayan, Luzon, in the Philippines.
Draw what you see
Introduces readers to Benny Andrews, one of the most important African-American painters of the 20th century
Gordon Parks
"Gordon Parks is most famous for being the first black director in Hollywood. But before he made movies and wrote books, he was a poor African American looking for work. When he bought a camera, his life changed forever. He taught himself how to take pictures and before long, people noticed"--|cBook jacket