Designing Curriculums with Black Children in Mind: A List of Must Read Books
COVID-19 has democratized the classroom experience. For years, Black parents have been left wondering what our children were learning in schools. With remote learning, we are no longer guessing; we see what our children are learning and how they are learning it.
As a father, I am particularly concerned with the books that make up the district’s curriculum. In the five books my second grader read, there were 37 characters in these books. Of these 37 characters, only 1 character, who was briefly mentioned was Black. One book featured kids from around the world; not one of those kids were a person of African descent. Two of the five books were written over 39 years ago. In other words, these books were culturally irrelevant and out of date.
This is troubling because books are tools that inspire Black boys and Black girls to create dreams that transform themselves and their world. When Black children do not see characters that look like them, it sends two implicit messages:
1. Black people have no history and culture worth studying, and
2. White people and culture are the yardstick of humanity.
Gloldy Muhammad in her book Cultivating Genius states the following,
“…the curricula, books, and mandated frameworks used across the nation are not usually designed for Black and Brown children, and these are the youth populations who have been underserved by education the most.”
Designing curriculum for Black children requires school districts to place Black cultural and historical experiences at the center. For far too long, generations of Black people enrolled in school districts where we are the majority, while our culture and historical contributions are left out of the core curriculum. We have to change this reality. COVID has ushered in a new era, and school districts with majority Black student bodies meet the time and build new curriculum that inspire Black children to pursue and advance their dreams.
This article feature books that uplift Black culture and Black people’s historical contributions. The books have Black protagonist characters who go on STEM adventures, dream big dreams, engage in reading, struggle to make the world better, overcome social and personal barriers, and engage in strategic/innovative thinking. All of these books should be a part of the development of a new core curriculum. In conclusion, adding these books into the curriculum explicitly tells Black children, “You matter!”
Below is a list of must read books!
STEM
Ada Twist, Scientist is an amazing must-read book! The author takes the reader on a journey in the life of a future scientist. The main character’s learning quest is driven by asking what, why, when, where, and how questions. The constant questions of her environment illuminate her deep desire to learn by doing, her willingness to take risks, and ability to bounce back from failure.
The thought-provoking and detailed illustrations allows the reader to dream out loud. For parents, this book is a tool to learn how to be patient with and supportive of your young scientist. This is a must have book for your home or school library!
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall is a must read book. The main character Jabari wants to make a flying machine to fly across his backyard. The author skillfully presents a playful journey through the engineering process. As the main character is walking through each step of the process, his father is there to support, encourage, and advise him. Two of his biggest bits of advice is for the main character to stay resilient and include his litter sister in the engineering process. The powerful illustrations display warm family interactions, intense problem solving, and the power of sibling teamwork. For parents, this book serves as a tool to teach us how to encourage and advise our children when they are engaging in problem solving play scenarios.
Mambo’s Toy Collection by Gladys Kenfack is a must-read book for future engineers. The story begins when an inquisitive little boy has an idea to make new toys out of various things (i.e. old toys and spare wooden parts). In the process of making new toys, he enlists a friend who becomes his teammate in the invention process. The author presents the main character as having a big imagination, limitless curiosity, and desire to create. The vibrant colors and intentional artwork guide readers through the inventing process. This powerful book introduces children to the invention process in a fun and kid-friendly manner.
Ultimate 5 Squad by RJ Rise is a fun read. This book provides a much needed representation in the superhero genre. The characters in the book come from different backgrounds and have different talents. The author does an amazing job at showing how all of these individuals come together to solve a problem impacting their world. The powerful and vibrant illustrations allow your young dreamer to see himself/herself as a superhero. For kids, this book helps them understand value of team in making the world better. This is a good book to add to your superhero book collection.
Books that Affirm
I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes is a classic book for Black boys. The author captures the unspoken hopes and aspirations of parents with Black boys. The inspirational and rich language affirms Black boys’ humanity. The illustrator Gordan James matches the author’s powerful words with regal images of Black boys enacting their inner kingliness. This is a tool for parents and teachers to teach Black boys that they are worthy to be loved and appreciated. I love this book because it offers a positive portrayal of Black boys as beings who have the capacity to dream dreams that can change the world. This is a must-read book that has the power to inspire generations of Black boys for years to come!
Dear Black Boy Martellus Bennett is a powerful must-read book. The author brilliantly uses sports as a metaphor to discuss how Black boys can pursue bigger dreams, achieve academic excellence, and work to make the world better. This book challenges to Black boys to dream dreams that go beyond sports and entertainment. The powerful illustrations offer your young dreamer the chance to imagine himself in the story. For parents and educators, this book is a tool to begin or continue the conversation about dreams and dreaming.
Parker Looks Up by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry is a powerful book must read! When Parker’s mother takes her on a surprise trip to the museum, she did not know she would have a life changing experience. As this little girl goes on a fun and playful tour of the museum with her friend, she looks at beautiful paintings and portraits of famous people. She sees a painting of a ballerina, and she begins to dance. As Parker finishes her dance, she looks up and sees a picture of Michelle Obama. This inspirational portrait captures Parker’s inner Queen and who she wants to be in the future.
The bright and colorful illustrations by Brittney Jackson capture the beauty of a child dreaming out loud. These engaging images allows the reader to visually walk alongside Parker as she goes on a captivating journey of finding her aspirational self! For parents and educators, this book is a powerful tool to begin the conversation about dreaming. A way to recreate the Parker moment is to ask children what they want to be when they grow up. Then find a biography of a person who represents that dream. Here are some books that can aid you in the aforementioned: Little Legends, Black Heroes, Little Leaders, Queen Like Me and Superhero Like Me. In sum, Parker Looks Up is a must have book!
I Promise by LeBron James is a must read book for children. This book provides roadmap for kids to achieve academic excellence. The familiar and peaceful images of children playing allows caregivers the opportunity to discuss the importance of learning. For parents and educators, this book is a tool to provide kid-friendly advice on how to become a champion in the classroom. At the back of the room, the author provides a pledge that parents, educators, or caregivers can use to inspire their young dreamers. I took the creatively liberty to creatively remix this pledge to speak directly to my sons’ reality. This is an amazing must buy book.
Chocolate Kings by Erika D. Collins is an amazing book about character development for future kings. The author’s ability to discuss complex character development topics in a kid-friendly manner creates an enjoyable reading experience for your young dreamer. She discusses topics like: leading, kindness, intelligence, a child of God, honesty, and honoring one’s parents, etc… The illustrations in the book depict the main character enacting these values within real life contexts. For parents with boys, this book serves as a tool to reinforce good character traits. This is a must read book that stays in my sons reading rotation!
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medina is a must read book for Black boys. By covering almost every aspect of Black life through poetry, the author seeks to convey an essential message to Black boys — you are amazing! The powerful illustrations will capture your young dreamer’s attention and inspire him to walk in his own individual greatness. This book is a tool to reinforce positive racial identity in Black boys. As a father of two sons, I often read this book to them to reinforce their identity as beautiful Black boys capable of achieving their own version of greatness!
The illustrations in the book by Vanessa Brantley-Newton are deeply thoughtful and inspirational. The powerful images walk the reader through what it means to be loved by parents and engaged by educators. Especially love how the illustrator places the sun behind the main character’s head. This placement symbolically frames the divine right of Black boys to be educated in a manner that aids them in meeting their God given potential. This book is a tool to affirm Black boys’ humanity and identity as learners.
In Your Hands by Carole Boston Weatherford is a thoughtful and comforting book. Years ago, my wife and I read this book to our children. I remember afterward, we were both consumed with emotion because the author miraculously captured our collective feelings as parents of Black boys. The author takes the reader on a journey of what it feels like to love, care, and educationally invest in a Black son. All of aforementioned is done so he can maximize his God-given potential. Although she articulates her vision for her son, she realizes that only God can protect him when he leaves her. The author’s prayer to God is that her son will be protected, forgiven for his mistakes, and that he’ll grow up to be a man.
The welcoming illustrations by Brian Pinkney allow the reader the opportunity to enter the mind and heart of parents of Black sons. The images capture our dreams of how we want our sons to be treated humanely in schools and society! For Black parents, this book offers you an opportunity to realize the commonality of your hopes and fears for your Black son. This book also serves as a tool to talk to your son about the racist treatment of Black men and boys in American society. For white parents, this book offers important insights on how it feels to be a parent of Black sons. This book offers you the chance to understand the depth of our prayers for our sons. This book is a must read book to add to your child’s library.
Adventure: Chapter Books
The Magnificent Makers: How to Test a Friendship by Theanne Griffith is a must-read chapter book. The author begins the story with two friends excited to see each other at the start of the new academic year. When they find out they are sitting next to each other in a tripod desk arrangement, it adds to their excitement. However, things change when a new student named Deepak sits with the two best friends. What the three classmates do not know is that they will enter an alternative reality with a silly scientist. Entering in this reality allows the trio to apply their science knowledge, work as a team, understand the true meaning of friendship, and how to include new people in groups.
I love reading this book with my sons because it seamlessly integrated science knowledge into the storyline, it addressed how to treat people, and took all of us on an amazing adventure. I also loved how the author intentionally wrote a book that displayed characters of color with a high level of agency and love of science. This must read chapter book is the first in a three part series.
Jaden Toussaint, The Greatest: Episode 1 by Marti Dumas is a must-read chapter book. The author created an interesting storyline around a relevant issue for kids: screen time. When the main character’s parents denied his request for screen time, it results in him thinking of reasons why they should give in. When they don’t, he finds an unlikely ally, his kindergarten teacher. This book takes readers on an entertaining and thought-provoking journey. The relevance of the topic offers adults an opportunity to have a rich dialogue with children about the purposes of screen time. I love this book because it displays a Black boy with a high level of agency both in thought and action. This is a must-read book for children in the early chapter book stage.
Anna and Andrew: Going to Ghana by Christine Platt is an engaging and informative early chapter book. When Ana and Andrew’s father has a conference in Accra, Ghana, he informs the siblings that the entire family will accompany him. The author artfully describes the process of travelling from D.C. to Ghana. When the family arrives in Ghana, they go through a cultural emersion experience where they eat food, travel around the city, and visit a former slave castle. The bright and colorful illustrations display familial love and deep learning. For kids, this book exposes and teaches children about Africa and the “origins of the slave trade” in a digestible manner. For educators, this book exposes children to inquisitive and fun characters. This book is a great addition for educators wishing to include more Black characters with agency in their English Language Arts classes.
Academic Excellence
Cleophas and the Purple Peanut Butter by Rahsaan Corbin is a must-read book. As Cleophas, the older brother, is playing video games, he is interrupted by his younger sister Sanai. With a purple substance on her face, she informs her brother that it is purple peanut butter. Immediately, Cleophas decides to teach his sister the names of colors and where she can find them in everyday life. The vibrant and playful illustrations by Jerome Vernell Jr. allows kids to follow the storyline with ease. I love how the author wrote a story that displayed a Black boy as loving, knowledgeable, and responsible. This is a must read for parents looking for a practical tool to teach their young dreamer about colors.
Austin’s Reading Adventure by Rebecca Clark is a must-read book. The author presents reading as a journey where kids find their personal interests and develop their dreams. She also informs the reader that reading can happen anywhere. The illustrations by Chris House capture the main character enthusiastically engaging in the reading process. The author’s insightful words along with the joyful illustrations serves as a powerful combination to inspire your young dreamer’s love of reading. For parents, this book can spark the conversation about what your son is interested in reading.
Education is Power by Lenny Williams is a must-read book. Using the life of one of our famous scholars WEB Dubois, the author reinforces the importance of academic excellence in the pursuit of one’s dream. In the process of reinforcing the, the author describes key facts about Dubois’ life in a kid friendly manner. These facts have the power to inspire children to develop and advance their dreams. The vibrant illustrations in the book present the love and power of learning. This book serves as a tool to connect the pursuit of academic excellence to the development of kids dreams.
Biographies & Historical Fiction
Dream Builder by Kelly Lyons is an inspirational biography of the Philadelphian native Phillip Freelon. The author provides the reader with an engaging chronological account of Freelon’s ascension from a struggling young reader to an architect who worked on the team that built the African American Museum.
This inspirational story provides children with a hero to model their dream pursuit after. This book captures the following powerful aspects of Freelon’s dream pursuit: (1) the role his grandfather played in inspiring him, (2) the impact of living in a Black community with neighbors who exemplified Black Excellence, (3) his awakening to his intellectual strengths, and (4) his commitment to erecting buildings that inspired life.
The portrait-like illustrations display Freelon’s childhood struggles, deep intellectual curiosity in his college years, and his bold commitment to excellence. This book is a powerful tool to inspire children to develop and advance their dreams despite their academic barriers. Freelon’s story shows he had academic barriers, but he decided to build pathways through them to accomplish his dream. This is a must buy book that should be on every kid’s bookshelf!
What Do You Do With a Voice Like That? is a powerful and inspirational bio about Barbara Jordan. The book takes the reader on a journey of how to develop a dream based on one’s talent. Her talent was her powerful voice and she used it to pursue a career that was fulfilling, while also making the world a better place. The rich details allow readers to develop a complex understanding of the personal and social experiences that made Jordan a hero! The vibrant and engaging illustrations capture Jordan’s life with elegance. For parents, this is a great book to discuss how your child can use their talents to make the world better. For educators can use this book to discuss the importance of engaged citizenship. In sum, this is a must read bio.
Lift as You Climb is a powerful biography about the Civil Rights Hero Ella Baker. This book offers children the opportunity to meet one of the Civil Rights Movement’s unsung heroes. The author walks the reader through powerful familial lessons, pivotal civic experiences, and important people that shaped her leadership approach. The engaging illustrations capture her external power and inner fierceness. Seeing these pictures and reading the author’s words about Baker will provide readers with a deep appreciation for Baker and her work. This book serves as a tool to teach children democracy is a participatory process that goes beyond voting. This is a must read book!
Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson is an amazing bio about the father of Black History Month: Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The author provides the reader with pivotal experiences that inspired Dr. Woodson to become a world renowned historian ! Don Tate’s descriptive illustrations capture the historical importance of reading in Black people’s fight for freedom. For parents and educators, this book is a tool to teach children the importance of reading as a precursor to changing the world.
Obama by Carole Boston Weatherford is a biography of President Barrack Obama. This book walks the reader through the significant moments of President Obama’s life. The author details his academic foundation his mother set for him, his grappling with the identity question, his reading of the great Black male writers and their impact on his thoughts, and his rise to political prominence. What make each section special is the author’s use of quotes from President Obama about the pivotal life moments. The beautiful illustrations inspire and provide deeper meaning to the author’s words. For parents and educators, this book serves as a tool to teach children the power of dreaming, the role academics play in dreaming, and the power that reading plays in inspiring dreams. This is a must read book to add to your biography collection.
You Should Meet Shirley Chisholm is a compelling bio about a trailblazing Black woman. The book brilliantly captures her Barbadian roots, familial bonds, and pivotal experiences that contributed to the development of her dream. The illustrations present a bold and confident leader who sought to be the voice of the voiceless. Students who read this book learn about a courageous leader who pursued her dream regardless of the social barriers. In addition, students will also learn how academic excellence is foundational in the development of their dreams. This is a must-read chapter book!
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison is a powerful must-read book for Black boys! The heroes in this book represent various types of dreams throughout the professional spectrum. The author does a magnificent job at providing in-depth stories about Black men throughout Black History. The short-bios in this book allows readers to understand these men’s journey from dream to reality. I especially love how the author provides stories about unsung heroes like Charles Henry Turner (scientist), Sir David Adjay (architect), Jacob Lawrence (artist), Harry Belafonte (actor) and Oscar Micheaux (film director). This book is a tool to teach Black boys that big dreams can make the individual happy and make the world a better place at the same time! For parents, chapters from this book can be used as great bedtime stories. In addition, it can be used as a resource to write amazing Black History Month reports. I highly recommend this must-read book for your young dreamers’ home library.
Grandpa Stops a War by Susan Robeson (Paul Robeson’s granddaughter) is an amazing story about Paul Robeson. The author provides a powerful narrative about who Robeson was as a man, grandfather, and activist. More importantly, the book talks about a moment in his life when he used his God-given talent of singing to make the world better. The powerful images will capture your young dreamers’ imagination and spark conversations about non-violent activism. For parents and educators, this book serves as a tool to assist children in realizing their talent and how it can be used to make their community, nation, and world better. This is a great book that provides children with a glimpse of one of the world greatest heroes.
Black Heroes: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A. by Arlisha Norwood is a must-read book. This book does a powerful job in aiding children in understanding the visions, aspirations, barriers, and victories of Black heroes. With insights from the author, children will be inspired to develop their own dreams of personal fulfilment and social transformation. The lively portraits of each Black heroes serve as a visual inspiration for your young dreamer. As a powerful feature, the author provides an insightful quote from each hero. This book provides the reader with numerous unsung heroes like Queen Nzigah (African ruler), Richard Allen (minister), Barbara Jordan (politician), and Daisy Bates (newspaper publisher). This is a must-read book that should be on every child’s bookshelf.
Granddady’s Turn tells the story of an African-American man attempting to vote for the first time. The author tells the story through the perspective of the grandson, who is constantly learning life lessons from his grandfather. These life lessons all come together on election day. When election day comes, Granddad puts on his Sunday’s best, places a camera around his neck, and prepares to go to the courthouse to vote with his grandson. When the two arrive at the courthouse, they see a long line, but they are not deterred.
When they finally get to the front of the line, Granddad is given a literacy test. When he fails this test, he is immediately denied the right to vote. After being humiliated he and his grandson go home. This memory was etched in the grandson’s mind. Years later, that grandson would grow up and be able to vote. When he goes to vote for the first time, he brings the picture of his Grandfather. The illustrations by James E. Ransome capture the fading innocence of a child learning through experience the meaning of voter suppression and racism. Ransome’s images also captures the warmth of a loving relationship between a grandfather and grandson.
For educators and parents, this book is a tool to teach children about voter suppression tactics of the past. Parents and educators can compare the tactic reflected in the book with contemporary voter suppression tactics used throughout America. This book can also be used to discuss the larger political oppression that Black people suffered under Jim and Jane Crow.
The Other Side is a compelling story about a fence that separated Black and White people. The story is framed around two little girls who want to play with each other, but they cannot because they live under a system of racial segregation called Jim Crow. The author takes the reader on a journey of two girls who defied the societal rules and decided to cross the fence and just play. The illustrations by E.B. Lewis capture the innocence and courage of these girls; his artwork allows children the opportunity to follow the storyline as if they were in the book. For parents and educators, this book is a tool to introduce children to racial segregation in America and its impact on children. This is a book that helps children understand Black Historical moments and supports them in developing personal agency to solve complex problems.
