SJPL Picks: Celebrating the Black ExperienceLike this list

25 items

• Mama's Sleeping Scarf

  Grace-James, Nwa,

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  In this touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the ones we love, little Chino takes the colorful, silky scarf her mama ties around her hair at night on many daytime adventures along with her toy bunny.

• Black Girls

  Furukawa, Dominique,

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  A lively and rhythmic celebration of Black girls in all their beauty and joy reminds girls of every shade, size and walk of life that they are perfectly designed!

• My Fade Is Fresh

  Grant, Shauntay,

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  Staying true to herself, a little girl speaks up at the barbershop and leaves with the freshest fade on the block, in this rhyming story that encourages young girls to be self-confident and celebrates the many shapes and forms Black hair can take.

• You So Black

  Theresa Tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D., 1982-

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  Based on the author's beautiful, viral spoken word poem of this same name, this powerful picture book shows readers that Black is everywhere, and in everything, and in everyone, and how they can find love, joy, resilience and beauty in Blackness.

• Grandma's Tiny House

  a Counting Story!

  Brown-Wood, JaNay,

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  In rhyming text, when the whole family and guests show up for the big dinner at Grandma's house, it becomes clear that the house is much too small to hold them all.

• Kamala and Maya's Big Idea

  Harris, Meena,

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  The niece of Senator Kamala Harris presents a picture book inspired by a childhood story about her aunt and policy expert mother that depicts two sisters who work with their community to turn an empty apartment courtyard into a playground.

• Brown

  the Many Shades of Love

  James, Nancy Johnson,

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  In this loving ode to the color brown, a boy describes the many hues of his family.

• Me & Mama

  Cabrera, Cozbi A.,

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  For a little girl on a rainy day, the best place to be is with Mama.

• All Because You Matter

  Charles, Tami,

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  A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and Brown children everywhere reminds them how much they matter, that they have always mattered and they always will.

• In Your Hands

  Weatherford, Carole Boston, 1956-

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  A black mother expresses the many hopes and dreams she has for her child in this powerful picture book masterpiece.

• I Am Every Good Thing

  Barnes, Derrick D,

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  Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.

• Going Down Home With Daddy

  Lyons, Kelly Starling,

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  In this rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual, Kelly Starling Lyons' eloquent text explores the power of family traditions. Stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dreams for a Daughter

  Weatherford, Carole Boston, 1956-

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  A black mother describes her dreams for her newborn daughter, and her hopes for a future in which her little one will grow to cross borders and bridge boundaries, be her best self, and find love.

• Hair, It's a Family Affair!

  Freeman, Mylo, 1959-

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  Join Macy as she describes her family and their hairstyles, from Afros to purple hair.

• Hair Love

  Cherry, Matthew A,

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  A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.

• Layla's Happiness

  Tallie, Mariahadessa Ekere, 1973-

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  Seven-year-old Layla divulges many things that make her happy, especially her family and their community garden.

• Sulwe

  Nyong'o, Lupita,

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  When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.

• Cool Cuts

  Roe, Mechal Renee,

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  An illustrated, joyful celebration of African-American boys' hairstyles.

• Black Is a Rainbow Color

  Joy, Angela, 1975-

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  A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on.

• I Am Enough

  Byers, Grace,

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  Read this gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another.