6 books that encourage creativity and innovation in African children
Creativity and innovation are key ideas that children of Africana descent should be exposed to at an early age. Exposure to these concepts gives children the opportunity to develop the ability needed to survive and thrive in the world.
If people of Africana descent are going to develop stronger communities, organizations, and nations, then we must encourage our children to engage with these concepts. The books in this review discuss the concepts of innovation and creativity in the forms of biographies and stories that focus on children using their imagination.
Olu’s Dream by Shane Evans is a great book to spark creative thinking in your young dreamer. When Olu wants to play past his bedtime, his father encourages him to use his imagination to fall asleep. Olu uses his imagination and opens a new world. This is a fun book to use to encourage children to use their imagination during bedtime or daytime.
Fancy Party Gown by Deborah Blumenthal is the biography of an Africana Entrepreneurial Hero Ann Cole Lowe. This inspirational story begins with Lowe recognizing her talent as a child to a woman who made dresses for prominent women of her time. Parents looking to teach their kids how to become entrepreneurial will see this book as a valuable tool. The author does a masterful job at showing how Lowe used an entrepreneurial mindset to move beyond barriers that sought to rob her of the chance of accomplishing her dream. In an age where traditional employment is rapidly evaporating, we must teach our children to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and spirit needed to thrive. This book enables children to begin the process of developing the aforementioned abilities.
When the Beat was Born is a biography of Jamaican born musical innovator and Hip-Hop legend Clive Campbell AKA Kool Herc. The author discusses the Herc’s early Jamaican musical inspirations and how he used them to aid in the development of Hip Hop. The beautiful pictures provide readers with positive and uplifting images of Black life in the early 80s. This book teaches children that they too can become innovators if they pursue something they love with excellence. It also teaches children the Pan-African influence in shaping Hip Hop.
Lily Brown’s Paintings is a book that focuses on creativity and imagination. This book presents the story of a girl who uses art to reimagine her world. The amazing artwork provides children with a fun opportunity to learn how to use their imaginations. For parents, this book serves as a tool to pose questions about why it’s important for their children to use their imaginations.
The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton: Poet by Don Tate is a biography of an enslaved African. The book tells the story of a young enslaved boy who couldn’t read or write, but because of his profound love of words, he taught himself how to do both. Once he developed the ability to write, he wrote poems for paying customers and essays critiquing the oppressive system of American enslavement. Horton’s story teaches young people the importance of resilience in pursuing their dreams regardless of the societal barriers that stand in front of them.
Jacqueline Woodson is a biography of a prolific writer. The book tells the story of how she developed a love of writing at an early age. However, her path towards literary excellence did not come without her developing the ability to overcome academic barriers. Woodson’s renowned books are rooted in the lived experiences of African-Americans. This biography teaches children that the pursuit of greatness is a lifelong process filled with opportunity to either give up or rise to the occasion.
