Picture & Board Books

Abrams, Stacey

2024

Reading Level: Ages: 4-8.

Stacey and her friends can't wait for lunchtime on Friday, also known as TacoPizza FryDay! But when Stacey discovers that some of her classmates can't afford to eat lunch, she loses her appetite. She knows she has to do something . . . but what can a kid do? Plenty, as it turns out! With the help of their community, Stacey and her friends devise a plan to make their voices heard.

Alexander, Kwame

2025

"A celebration of the history of Black music in America"-- Provided by publisher.

Ahmed, Roda, 1981-

2024

Etta can't think of anything more extraordinary than a field trip to the nation's presidential suite in Washington, DC. When she and her class arrive at the White House, they are faced with a decision: What activity should they choose? With the spirit of democracy in the air, the class submits their ballots and Etta's brilliant idea gets picked: a pinktastic cherry blossom party on the White House lawn. And in 1, 2, 3, 4 steps, she plans a spectacular party, where absolutely nothing can go wrong . . . right? In this dazzling encore to Etta Extraordinaire, Etta and her friends learn about the power of using their voices, the importance of making decisions together, and the incredible strength that lies within each of them.-- Provide by publisher.

Ahiyya, Vera.

2025

"It's Leilani's first day of first grade, and she is excited and a bit nervous. But thanks to her caring family and friendly new teacher, Mr. Gray, she soon learns all about the fun things they will make and do in the classroom that year. Soon, she gains confidence that she has what it takes to be a first grader!"--Provided by publisher.

Baptist, Kelly J.

2024

Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Drawn to the sound of their father's band, two siblings sneak out of bed and wiggle and sway to the music.

Bingham, Winsome

2024

Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

When a young girl's veteran mother returns home a changed person, the mindful daughter seeks to ease her Momma's melancholy and recapture the joy they once shared.

Atinuke

2024

Reading Level: 3-7 years. Candlewick Press.

"L is for lemons, and L is for lingering before leaving home. L is for everything to look at along the way: lightning and lazy lions and a lonely leopard. L is for the loud, large city where you will sell your sunny fruit--L is for Lagos! L is for the light streaming out of your windows as you arrive home late at night. And best of all... L is for love. Part buoyant alphabet book, encouraging toddlers' first sounds and words, and part immersion in the joyful bustle of a busy Nigerian marketplace, this outing from Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank is a feast for the senses brimming with rich detail and visual humor." -- Provided by publisher.

Bingham, Winsome

2024

Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Holiday House.

"Two Appalachian families, one White and one Black, are connected by a well-loved kitchen table"--Provided by publisher.

McNamara, Margaret

2025

Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Random House Studio.

When students from Mr. Tiffin's classroom visit the state capitol, they meet their state representative and recommend a new bill, a state cookie, and in the process learn how a bill is voted on and passed.

Boyd, Aaron, 1971-

2024

Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Albert Whitman & Company.

A father and son, living apart, spend time together making a model plane, and as they reminisce over warm memories, the child feels his father's enduring love despite their circumstances.

Brown-Wood, JaNay

2025

Reading Level: Ages 4-6. Nancy Paulsen Books.

In rhyming text, siblings search for the perfect birthday gift for their grandmother.

Daniel-Ayoade, Yewande

2024

"The Little Regent begins with a short blurb, offering context on the Yoruba tradition of regency: "Among the Yoruba tribe of West Africa, when a king dies without a son, his daughter will rule until the kingmakers choose a new king. These female rulers are called regents." The story begins when Abioye is declared the temporary ruler of her West African village following her father the king's death, much to the chagrin of the village chiefs. At first Abioye is afraid--she is only seven after all and has no idea how to rule. But her mother reminds her of her father's wise words: "those who will rule must first learn to serve." The next day, the little regent abandons her stuffy meetings with the chiefs--where she feels that she isn't serving anyone at all--and wanders about the village, taking in the problems of her people and trying to understand how she might serve them. In the meantime, the chiefs complain that Abioye is a bad ruler who skips her meetings and walks about the village like a commoner. The time comes for the villagers to vote for a new king, but they refuse. With Abioye's help, the village has flourished: the fishers catch more fish, the cooks have clean water, and the children have a place to play while their parents go to the big market. Abioye has proven that she understands what it means to serve her people, and her people demand to keep her. For the first time in the village, a female regent becomes king. This is an empowering princess story that breaks away from Eurocentric tropes and sends the message to all children--regardless of gender--that their voices and actions are valuable and powerful. The Little Regent touches on themes of service in leadership, gaining respect rather than demanding it, and gender equality. Yewande sets the tone with a hint of folklore and fable-esque nostalgia and builds a lively and immersive setting with details of West African culture that speak to her own Nigerian heritage. It also ends with a significant message that honouring the legacy of our loved ones for the betterment of ourselves and those around us sometimes means breaking with tradition."-- Provided by publisher.

Collins, Jordan

2024

When a child is once again on the receiving end of the dreaded question "Where are you from?" their answer takes readers on an intergalactic journey through the cosmos. Traveling across space and time, past collapsing stars and nebulae, the young narrator reminds us not of our differences but of our shared humanity. Debut author Jordan Collins's poetic prose, informed by lived experience, and Phil Lesnie's stunning illustrations create a powerful story that celebrates our intricate and beautiful connections with one another.

Cline-Ransome, Lesa

2024

The young man known as Teach secretly learned to read, write, and use numbers growing up alongside the master's son. And although on this Southern plantation these are skills he can never flaunt, Teach doesn't keep them to himself: In the course of a week, he'll teach little ones the alphabet in the corner stall of a stable and hold a moonlit session where men scratch letters in the dirt. He'll decipher a discarded letter bearing news of Yankee soldiers and forge a pass for a woman hoping to buy precious time on a perilous journey north. And come Sunday, Teach will cross the swamp to a hidden cabin, reading aloud to the congregation God's immortal words to the pharaoh: Let my people go. An author's note highlights the vital role of literacy and education toward the securing of freedom, both historically and to the present day.

Duncan, Alice Faye

2024

"Based on the African American spiritual, I Gotta Sing follows a young boy's morning at the farm as he evades his Nana's call for a bath and instead joins his Pop to answer the call to sing and dance"-- Provided by publisher.

Davis, Gabriele

2024

Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Follows a Black family through a week of shared moments and simple pleasures, woven through with lyrics from beloved spirituals and songs.

Forté, Matt

2024

"My hair has roots from many places under the sun, telling the story of my ancestors and where I come from. I can shake my hair like a baby with a rattle, or cut it all off to support my friend's battle. From fades to braids, celebrate what your hair can do! An encouraging reminder of God's love for every child." -- Page [4] of cover.

Gorman, Amanda, 1998-

2025

"Who are we? We are a billion voices, bright and brave; we are light, standing together in the fight. Girls are strong and powerful alone, but even stronger when they work to uplift one another. In this galvanizing original poem by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman, girls and girlhood are celebrated in their many forms, all beautiful, not for how they look but for how they look into the face of fear"-- Provided by publisher.

Duncan, Monique (African American author)

2024

"Day after day, Nemy sows seeds, pulls weeds, and strips leaves, until one night, she follows a woman called Big Mother to a hidden shack. There, she finds a group of women braiding each other's hair. But these are no ordinary braids. Hidden in each elaborate pattern is a secret--a message that signals their intent to flee and a map to guide them in their escape. Will the paths these courageous women weave guide Nemy to a new home where she can be free?"-- Book jacket flap.