Picture Books
- FERGUSON ONLY: They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
FERGUSON ONLY: They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
Tonya Duncan Ellis
$19.99A moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas—and the origins of Juneteenth.
When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.
They built me to remember.
On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in the United States. This day was soon to be memorialized with the dedication of a park in Houston. The park was called Emancipation Park, and the day it honored would come to be known as Juneteenth.
In the voice and memory of the park itself—its fields and pools, its protests and cookouts, and, most of all, its people—the 150-year story of Emancipation Park is brought to life. Through lyrical text and vibrant artwork, Tonya Duncan Ellis and Jenin Mohammed have crafted an ode to the struggle, triumph, courage, and joy of Black America—and the promise of a people to remember.
- HARMONY ONLY: They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
HARMONY ONLY: They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
Tonya Duncan Ellis
$19.99A moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas—and the origins of Juneteenth.
When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.
They built me to remember.
On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in the United States. This day was soon to be memorialized with the dedication of a park in Houston. The park was called Emancipation Park, and the day it honored would come to be known as Juneteenth.
In the voice and memory of the park itself—its fields and pools, its protests and cookouts, and, most of all, its people—the 150-year story of Emancipation Park is brought to life. Through lyrical text and vibrant artwork, Tonya Duncan Ellis and Jenin Mohammed have crafted an ode to the struggle, triumph, courage, and joy of Black America—and the promise of a people to remember.
- PRE-ORDER: Hello There, Sunshine
PRE-ORDER: Hello There, Sunshine
$21.99PRE-ORDER. On Sale: March 11, 2025
"Hello there, sunshine!"
Every morning, young Tabitha wakes up and greets the sun. She loves how it brings everyone JOY. But one day she wakes up and the sun is missing! So Tab hops on her strawberry shortcake bike with her puppy in tow and makes it her business to find the sun.
Can she do it? Or will Tabitha find out that sometimes the shine we're looking for is inside of us?
A perfect pick for fans of What Do You Do with an Idea?, You Matter, and Just Because, Brown’s debut is a marvelous read-aloud and a great gift that will remind the youngest reader to always stay positive.
- PRE-ORDER: Black Girls Gardening: Empowering Stories and Garden Wisdom for Healing and Flourishing in Nature
PRE-ORDER: Black Girls Gardening: Empowering Stories and Garden Wisdom for Healing and Flourishing in Nature
Amber Grossman
$26.95PRE-ORDER. On Sale Date: March 4, 2025
A visual celebration of Black women and their gardens, filled with inspiration, stories, and the healing magic of gardening, based on the popular Instagram account BlackGirlsGardening.
Through first-person narratives and arresting photography, this unique gardening book profiles women who demonstrate how a gardening practice has the power to heal, empower, educate, and connect. Thirty-one compelling personal stories about creating backyard, flower, and vegetable gardens, participating in community gardens, and gardening with kids are included. Sidebars offer advice on composting, pest control, must-have tools, greenhouse gardens, and more.
In a beautiful, chunky package that can be read cover to cover or displayed on a coffee table, Black Girls Gardening makes a lovely gift for aspiring and practicing Black women gardeners, first-time homeowners, parents who garden with their kids, and women of all ages who enjoy sinking their hands into the soil.
GARDENING AS EMPOWERMENT: With stories on starting a garden from seed, building your own vegetable and flower beds, growing your own food, connecting with a community, and showing your kids the power and joy that come from these experiences, this uplifting book demonstrates how gardening empowers women and green thumbs of all ages and levels.
HEALTH BENEFITS: Gardening is good for you, and it’s a lifelong hobby! Spending time outside is an excellent way to relieve stress and anxiety, and gardening is an accessible and increasingly common pastime that provides respite from our indoor, online, sedentary lives. This book celebrates gardens as a sanctuary, a source of solace and joy, and a place for self-discovery and connection.
CELEBRATES DIVERSITY: This uniquely inspiring nature and gardening book highlights stories from Black, biracial, and multiracial women, an underrepresented audience in mainstream gardening, nature, and outdoor media.
Perfect for:
* Self-care gift or self-purchase for Black women, ages 18 - 50+
* Gift-giving for Mother’s Day, birthday, housewarming, or retirement
* Women gardeners and aspiring green thumbs
* Garden admirers and nature enthusiasts
* First-time homeowners who want to plant a garden
* Followers of @BlackGirlsGardening
* Fans of Nature Swagger, Wild at Home, My Beautiful Black Hair, She Explores - PRE-ORDER: Black Boy, Rise
PRE-ORDER: Black Boy, Rise
Brynne Barnes & Bryan Collier
$17.99PRE-ORDER. On Sale Date: April 1, 2025
A bold anthem that celebrates the power and potential of young Black boys by the award-winning creative team of author Brynne Barnes and superstar illustrator Bryan Collier.
From the celebrated author of Black Girl Rising and Colors of Me and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and multiple-award-winning illustrator of Trombone Shorty, Rosa, and many more, this is a picture book to read, share, and cherish across generations.
Black Boy, Rise combines gorgeous, moving text—filled with lyrical references to poets and writers whose voices have lifted and defined the Black experience, including Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, W. E. B. Du Bois, and James Weldon Johnson—with vibrant, beautifully rendered watercolor images that powerfully reflect the soul and gloriousness of Black boys in all their brilliance: the rich legacy of their past, the grit and grace of their present, and the divine promise of their future.
BLACK JOY: This dynamic anthem speaks directly to the need of families, educators, and young readers to see the full beauty, richness, and complexity of Black boys’ experiences reflected in thoughtful, empowering children’s literature that positively portrays and celebrates Black boyhood.
A GREAT GIFT: From graduation to birthdays to other milestone events, this book makes a perfect present for anyone looking to celebrate, empower, and inspire the men in their lives—whether sons, grandsons, nephews, cousins, or friends.
AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOKS FOR KIDS: For fans of All Because You Matter and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, Brynne Barnes brings a fresh spin with her rhythmic rhyming text that exhorts readers to “Make beauty. Make joy. Make believe, and pretend. Make wonder. Makes wishes. Make magic begin.”
Perfect for:
* Parents, grandparents, and caregivers
* Teachers and librarians seeking diverse books
* Anyone interested in books about Black joy or Black history
* Gift-givers looking for a unique and inspiring book for the boys (or men) in their lives
* Readers who loved Martin’s Big Words, I Am Every Good Thing, and Black Boy Joy - It's Big Sister Time!
It's Big Sister Time!
Sold outIn the spirit of Joanna Cole’s beloved, perennially bestselling I’m a Big Sister picture book, It’s Big Sister Time! is a heartwarming new take on a familiar topic. Starring diverse characters, this value-priced picture book is perfect for parents who want to help siblings prepare for the changes that come with bringing home a new baby.
Baby’s loud. Baby’s messy. Sometimes Baby really smells. Maybe Baby just doesn’t know the rules? Good thing it’s big sister time—she can show Baby how to be the best baby ever!
It’s Big Sister Time! empowers little learners by showing them that they have very important roles to play in introducing their family’s new baby to the world. From cleaning up your messes to learning to share, big sister will teach the new baby everything any baby needs to know. After all big sister was a baby once, too -- and she was really good at it.
It’s Big Sister Time! shows every girl how awesome it is being a big sister. Because as we all know, being a sister RULES!
- It's Big Sister Time! (My Time)
It's Big Sister Time! (My Time)
Nandini Ahuja
$7.99Baby’s loud. Baby’s messy. Sometimes Baby really smells. Maybe Baby just doesn’t know the rules? Good thing it’s big sister time—she can show Baby how to be the best baby ever!
Told through the eyes of a big sister,this charming hardcover picture book empowers older siblings by showing them that they have very important roles to play in introducing their family’s new baby to the world.
From cleaning up messes to learning to share, big sister will teach the new baby everything any baby needs to know. After all, big sister was a baby once, too—and she was really good at it.
It’s Big Sister Time! shows every girl how awesome it is being a big sister. Because as we all know, being a sister RULES!
- It's Big Brother Time! (My Time)
It's Big Brother Time! (My Time)
Nandini Ahuja
$9.99Baby’s loud. Baby’s messy. Sometimes Baby really smells. Maybe Baby just doesn’t know the rules? Good thing it’s big brother time—he can show Baby how to be the best baby ever!
Told through the eyes of a big brother,this charming hardcover picture book empowers older siblings by showing them that they have very important roles to play in introducing their family’s new baby to the world.
From cleaning up messes to learning to share, big brother will teach the new baby everything. After all, big brother was a baby once, too—and he was really good at it.
It’s Big Brother Time! shows every boy how awesome it is being a big brother. Because as we all know, being a brother RULES!
- PRE-ORDER: Happy Holi!: Celebrating the Festival of Colors
PRE-ORDER: Happy Holi!: Celebrating the Festival of Colors
Chitra Soundar and Amberin Huq
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: February 25, 2025
Welcome springtime and celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors with this vibrant, inviting picture book.
As cold winter goes away, it's time for spring to come and play.
See the growing moon rise slowly . . . It's only one more day till Holi!Swirling clouds of color. Sweet gujiya dumplings. Singing and dancing in the street. During this special time of year, friends and family come together to celebrate the arrival of spring and the triumph of goodness and love over evil. Young readers will delight in following two siblings as they enjoy all the wonderful traditions and treats Holi has to offer--baking and bonfires, stories and sweets and, of course, a wild day of fun where people shower one another in brightly colored powders!
With Chitra Soundar's lyrical rhymes and rich, vibrant illustrations from Amberin Huq, this is the perfect gift to share for Holi, one of the world's biggest and brightest holidays.
- Oshún and Me: A Story of Love and Braids
Oshún and Me: A Story of Love and Braids
Adiba Nelson and Alleanna Harris
$18.99Tenderly illustrated by Alleanna Harris, Adiba Nelson's debut picture book Oshún and Me is a heartwarming ode to family, identity, and the beauty of braided hair. Also available in Spanish!
It’s Sunday, and that means it’s Hair Day! As Mami weaves gold and cowrie shells into Yadira’s hair, she tells her the story of the goddess Oshún, showing Yadi how her Afro Latin heritage is lovingly tucked into each braid and shell.
The next day, Yadi arrives for her first day at a new school. She's nervous about making friends, but with her beautiful braids, the click-clack of the cowrie shells, and a little guidance from Oshún, she finds she has everything she needs to be her best, most authentic self.
A letter from the author and visual examples of different kinds of braided hairstyles are included in the back of the book.
- PRE-ORDER: Tíos y primos (Tíos and Primos Spanish Edition)
PRE-ORDER: Tíos y primos (Tíos and Primos Spanish Edition)
Jaqueline Alcántara & Yanitzia Canetti
$18.99EDICIÓN EN ESPAÑOL
PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: February 18, 2025
Una niña conoce a más parientes de los que puede contar, pero ¿cómo se comunicará con ellos si no puede hablar español con la misma fluidez?
A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language?
(edición en español)
Es el primer viaje de una niñaal país natal de su papá, y ella está impresionada con los paisajes maravillos, los sonidos sorprendentes ¡y especialmente con el tamaño de su enorme familia! Pero sabe solo un poco de español y le resulta difícil compartir chistes y anécdotas con fluidez. Por suerte, sus parientes la ayudan a ver que hay otras maneras de relacionarse. Pronto la niña siente que está justo donde pertenece: en el corazón de una familia amorosa, aprendiendo mientras crece.(Spanish edition)
It’s a little girl’s first trip to her papa’s homeland, and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect, and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along. - PRE-ORDER: Tíos and Primos
PRE-ORDER: Tíos and Primos
Jaqueline Alcántara
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: February 18, 2025
A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language?
It’s a little girl’s first tripto her papa’s homeland, and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect, and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along.
- PRE-ORDER: Tío and Tío: The Ring Bearers
PRE-ORDER: Tío and Tío: The Ring Bearers
Ross Mathews & Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews & Tommy Doyle & Drew Barrymore
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: April 15, 2025
From Ross Mathews (The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul’s Drag Race) and his husband, Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, comes a heartwarming and humorous tale of love and family as two young boys travel to Mexico to be ring bearers in their uncles’ wedding.
From Emmy-winning TV host and producer Ross Mathews (The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul’s Drag Race) and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews comes a heartwarming and humorous tale of family, friendship, and love inspired by their real-life wedding.
Evan and Andy are excited to visit Mexico for their uncles’ wedding—and their parents are excited that the boys will have a chance to experience the culture, practice their Spanish, and learn responsibility as ring bearers in the ceremony. Once they arrive, Evan and Andy just want to play soccer, swim, and eat all the great food. However, once the festivities are in full swing and the boys witness the love and happiness between their two tíos, they quickly embrace their role in their uncles’ very special day.
This debut picture book written by Ross Mathews and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, and illustrated by Tommy Doyle, reminds us about the importance of love, family, and embracing one’s cultural identity.
- PRE-ORDER: Rose Weaves a Garden
PRE-ORDER: Rose Weaves a Garden
Rashin Kheiriyeh
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: April 22, 2025
This heartfelt picture book about the love shared between generations--and the traditions that bind them--shows how a grandfather teaches his grandchild to weave a beautiful rug.
Rose’s Baba joon (her grandfather) loves three things most in the world: His loom, where he weaves fine rugs for family and friends; his garden; and most of all, Rose!
When Rose decides she wants to weave her own rug -- its design inspired by a drawing she made of their garden--Baba is thrilled to teach her. Working side-by-side at the loom, grandfather and granddaughter tie colorful strands of yarn into thousands of knots. But just as the rug slowly begins to take shape, Baba falls ill.
Rose knows one thing that will make him feel better: a beautiful -- and finished! -- garden rug. But will she be able to weave the rest of the rug on her own?
This tender portrait of a young girl and her grandfather is a moving tribute to the joy of learning from someone you love.
- PRE-ORDER: Planted with Love: Growing into a Family
PRE-ORDER: Planted with Love: Growing into a Family
Natasha Tripplett & Adriana Predoi
$13.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: March 11, 2025
A heartfelt picture book about one child's experience in foster care that reminds all kids that—just like a garden—love from the right source will help them bloom.
Lamar has lived in seven homes in three years and has never stayed anywhere long enough to put down roots. As he watches his new foster mom tend to her garden each day, he soon joins her with cautious curiosity. Together, they plant, they weed, they water . . . until one day Lamar's anger and feelings of uncertainty lead him to destroy the garden.
But through his foster mother's love and care, Lamar discovers that just like her garden, he is wanted, he is loved, he has been planted, and he will bloom.
Written by a licensed social worker, Planted with Love illustrates that a loving home and a loving adult can provide a safe place for any child to grow and thrive.
- PRE-ORDER: One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson
PRE-ORDER: One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson
Tourmaline & Charlot Kirstensen
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: May 20, 2025
You can sparkle, shimmer, shine – just like Marsha did.
This vibrant and joyful picture book celebrates the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman and activist who played an instrumental role during the Stonewall Riots that lead to PRIDE month, written by award-winning filmmaker and artist Tourmaline.
You wouldn’t even believe the things Saint Marsha used to get up to—she had more of a zest for life than anyone I’ve ever known, and the biggest heart, too.
It’s a hot summer day and New York City is buzzing like a hive of eager honeybees. From Riis Beach to the Flower District, into the West Village and over to the Brooklyn Museum, folks young and old embrace the resolute and love-filled spirit of icon activist Marsha P. Johnson in all that they do.
Told through the eyes of an old friend and with bright, buoyant artwork, this jubilant story celebrates the indelible stamp that Marsha P. Johnson left on New York City and beyond, culminating in a powerful convergence one day in June 2020, when activists from across all five boroughs rallied loudly for Black trans lives.
The spirit of Marsha has never been more alive and present in what we do.
- PRE-ORDER: No Cat Like Tac
PRE-ORDER: No Cat Like Tac
Alliah L. Agostini & Charles Santoso
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: March 25, 2025
Meet Tac, an unusual cat! Her pounce shakes the house, her zoomies are a doozy, and her hairballs are . . . well, fireballs. But she’ll always be family. Right?
Perfect for fans of dragons and in the tradition of Not Quite Narwhal, this laugh-out-loud picture book shows that love can overcome even the biggest, most unlikely differences!
When Tyra finds a box labeled “free kittens,” Dad says she can pick just one to adopt. So Tyra chooses Tac: a BIG kitten who’s a little different from other cats.
Tyra makes sure Tac has tons of toys to play with, lots of cozy places to cuddle, and plenty of love and affection. But everything about Tac, from her zoomies to her hairballs, is bigger, louder, and fierier than other cats.
Then one day, Tac’s mischief gets out of control, and Dad says “ENOUGH!” Can Tyra find a way to prove Tac is part of the family, differences and all?
With spare, sweet text and humorous illustrations that tell another, more dragon-y side of the story, No Cat Like Tac sends the funny but heartfelt message that family is about being yourselves, but choosing each other.
- PRE-ORDER: Love, Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids
PRE-ORDER: Love, Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids
Dr. Joel Warsh & Andrew Gardner & David Cooper
$14.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: April 8, 2025
This illustrated collection of heartfelt letters is about the many beautiful hopes and dreams that fathers have for their children. A perfect gift for any dad!
When you grow up, I hope you...
...let your smile change the world
...feel you are loved, in every cell of your body
...learn how to help those who need a handEighteen dads from different walks of life took turns finishing that sentence. Some of them expressed hope that their children would dream big and be kind. Others wanted their kids to have love and respect for themselves and others.
What they all share is a wish to express their support for their children as they learn and grow.
Whether you are celebrating Father's Day, birthdays, or another momentous event, this anthology of letters is a great way to celebrate father figures everywhere.
- PRE-ORDER: Easter Fun: A Brown Baby Parade Book
PRE-ORDER: Easter Fun: A Brown Baby Parade Book
Nikki Shannon Smith & Ashley Evans
$8.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: February 18, 2025
It’s time for some Easter fun! Read along as a young girl spends Easter Sunday with her family in this next installment of the Brown Baby Parade board book series that's perfect for ages 0-3.
I quickly spy a pink egg.
But guess what? There are more!
We have to keep on hunting,
much harder than before.A little girl and her family celebrate Easter by visiting loved ones, eating a special meal, and going on an Easter egg hunt.
Nikki Shannon Smith's bouncy, rhythmic text and Ashley Evans's vivid, welcoming illustrations pair beautifully to create heartwarming scenes of everyday life. The joyful depiction of a Black family celebrating Easter traditions together will allow children to relate no matter how they celebrate!
- PRE-ORDER: City Summer, Country Summer
PRE-ORDER: City Summer, Country Summer
Kiese Laymon & Alexis Franklin
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: April 1, 2025
A lyrical picture book from the award-winning author of Heavy, about three Black boys who form a deep connection during a transformative summer trip down South to visit family.
On the ground of that garden, covered in vegetables and dirt, coated in laughter, I want to say that the Mississippi and New York in our Black boy bodies were indistinguishable.
Three Black boys spend one special summer exploring the Mississippi woods and woulds and coulds of sharing the kind of freeing friendship that is love.
Watched over and given space to discover by Grandmama and Mama Lara, New York, Country, and little C find camaraderie in their contrasts and all the unspoken things between them while playing games of marco polo in the thick garden and sledding on cardboard by the underpass.
With text brimming with love by award-winning author Kiese Laymon and deeply evocative illustrations by Ashley Franklin, City Summer, Country Summer illuminates the tenuous and tender bonds of friendship Black boys forge with one another.
- PRE-ORDER: Amoya Blackwood Is Brave
PRE-ORDER: Amoya Blackwood Is Brave
Chantaie Allick & Aaron Marin
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: April 15, 2025
When a girl's confidence is shaken and she begins to shrink, her grandmother is there to remind her of who she is in this empowering picture book about self-esteem.
Amoya Blackwood is loud, bold and carefree. She always has the answer in class. And she knows just what to say to make her friends laugh.
Amoya Blackwood shows up with a smile on her face. She enters a room and takes up space.
But one day Amoya Blackwood starts noticing that the adults around her want to be less loud, less bold, less carefree. They want her to take up less space, and so she does. She gets smaller and smaller and smaller.
She gets so small she hardly recognizes herself.
But then, a conversation with her Gran reminds Amoya of who she is. And a surprising thing happens . . .
- Girls on the Rise
Girls on the Rise
Amanda Gorman & Loveis Wise
$19.99An electrifying new picture book by #1 New York Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman
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. Creating a rousing rallying cry with vivid illustrations by Loveis Wise, Gorman reminds us how girls have shaped our history while marching boldly into the future.
- On Our Way! What a Day!
On Our Way! What a Day!
JaNay Brown-Wood & Tamisha Anthony
$18.99A journey, a challenge, and a party with Gram make one day super special for a group of siblings.
It’s Gram’s birthday, and the grandkids can’t wait to celebrate with her. There’s just one thing missing: a gift! So on their way to the party, the search is on. They spot lots of interesting things—a scritchy-scratchy pine cone, three jingly-jangly quarters, some clicky-clacky stones—but are any of them good enough for Gram?
Fortunately, there’s no quashing the enthusiasm and creativity of these siblings, who have a marvelous time scouting and singing as they shimmy over to Gram’s, making the journey its own celebration. Their combined discoveries will make this a very special day indeed!
This dynamic story shows the big impact a thoughtful gift from the heart can have, no matter how small it might be.
- PRE-ORDER: Jollof Day
PRE-ORDER: Jollof Day
Bernard Mensah & Annalise Barber-Opp
$19.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: January 28, 2025
A picture book bursting with life and flavors about a son and his father cooking up a beloved dish that originated in West Africa—jollof recipe included!
Early in the morning while the sun is still rising, a young boy wakes his father for something special—it’s Jollof Day!
With clanging pots and pans, lots of chopped tomatoes and onions, and a secret blend of spices, this father and son dance to the music of kitchen noise while something delicious burbles on the stove.
With bouncing text that begs to be read aloud and exuberant illustrations full of momentum, Jollof Day is a celebration of the dishes that bring a family together.
- Space for Everyone
Space for Everyone
Seina Wedlick & Camilla Sucre
$18.99This lyrical and heartwarming picture book follows a Nigerian girl who worries about her family's upcoming move. But she soon realizes that no matter where they go, there will always be room at their kitchen table for her community to gather around.
When Zainab runs down the stairs in the morning, she knows what she'll find: Papa cooking at the stove, Mama pouring tea, and then everyone gathering around the family table. Neighbors stop by, and there's plenty of room for them, too. There are so many beloved rituals that happen at the table: homework and crafts, aunties coming to plait hair, and festive gatherings with neighbors and relatives. But soon boxes start piling up around the house, and Zainab worries about the move—will the rituals feel the same in her new home?
In the new house, the family table still feels cozy to sit around. And soon, old neighbors and new friends stop by, and everyone is welcome at the table. Meg Medina's Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away meets Peter H. Reynolds's Our Table in this heartwarming story about how difficult it is to move, but how connecting with community makes everything better.
- Wash Day with Mama
Wash Day with Mama
Monica Mikai
$18.99This stunning picture book takes a joyful look into the loving and long process of a hair wash day and the beautiful bond between a daughter and mother. Perfect for Mother’s Day or all year round!
I love Sundays, because Sundays are wash days. And wash days are just for us.
Filled with heartwarming illustrations, Wash Day with Mama centers on a little girl cherishing each step of their hair washing routine while Mama imparts her wisdom and stresses the importance of self-care, loving yourself, and being proud of who you are. The process of washing and taking care of Black hair takes time and effort, but this poignant story shows how it is an act of self-love and nurtures a special connection between mother and daughter.
For the Black community, washing their hair can feel like an event in and of itself, and that's why it has been christened "wash day." For many, wash day isn't just a routine, but an intimate ritual that is a symbol of self-love and pride. This self-care practice, although individual to the person, can root them in their culture and allow them to embrace generations of hair traditions. This book shows the love and care of washing Black hair and compels us to reflect on shared moments that we may take for granted.
- Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist
Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist
Jacci Gresham & Sherry Fellores & David Wilkerson
$18.99A picture book biography celebrating the first known Black female tattoo artist in the U.S., Jacci Gresham, co-authored by Jacci herself, and with stylish, accessible artwork by David Wilkerson
How to make your mark?
Express yourself: From coloring outside the lines to creating her own clothes, expressing herself through art made Jacci Gresham feel confident.
Keep an open mind: When Jacci started out, women getting tattooed was considered distasteful. Women giving tattoos was unheard of. And a Black woman tattoo artist? Jacci was the first.
Practice every day: Jacci studied her craft. She developed new inking techniques for Black and brown skin. And she welcomed everyone into her New Orleans shop, including women of every color, shape, and size.
Stand up for what you believe: From art class to artist, Jacci Gresham pushed boundaries, and she never took no for an answer. Jacci made her mark. How will you make yours? - PRE-ORDER: Ripening Time
PRE-ORDER: Ripening Time
Patrice Gopo & Carlos Vélez Aguilera
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE: April 22, 2025
Celebrate the power of food to create delicious, lasting memories with this poetic and playful exploration of the joy of waiting for, and finally sharing, fried plantains.
Mama steers the cart toward the produce section of the grocery store and picks up a bunch of green plantains. Thus begins a week of anxious anticipation as a young girl waits for mustard yellows to seep onto the unripe green peels. By Thursday, black marks begin to splotch and streak across the plantains. And finally, on Sunday, the frying pan sizzles and hisses, as Mama serves up the warm, sugary slices the young girl has waited for so long.
Much like there is sweet treasure hidden beneath the skin of a plantain, this beautifully written and evocative story reaches far beyond the act of preparing a favorite food. Ripening Time celebrates the way food and family entwine to connect us across generations—and serves as a touching reminder that some of the sweetest rewards in life are worth the wait. - How Sweet the Sound
How Sweet the Sound
Kwame Alexander
$18.99Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by the award-winning author of The Undefeated.
Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy—the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday's raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce?
Come dance to Kwame Alexander’s melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer.
The book includes extensive back matter, providing even more context and history about the music and musicians.
- Brown Girl, Brown Girl
Brown Girl, Brown Girl
by Leslé Honoré
$18.99This powerful and hopeful picture book—inspired by the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris—celebrates brown and Black girls and is magnificently illustrated by a Caldecott Honor-winning artist.
Brown girl, brown girl, what did you see?
A world that sees my skin before it sees me.Based on a viral poem by Blaxican poet and activist Leslé Honoré, and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this moving journey through the past, present, and future of brown and Black girls is a celebration of community, creativity, and joy—and offers a reminder of the history that inspires hope, and the hope that inspires activism.
Praise for Brown Girl, Brown Girl:
✭ "Warmly, brilliantly welcoming—and not to be missed." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
- PRE-ORDER: Big Enough
PRE-ORDER: Big Enough
Regina Linke
$18.99PRE-ORDER. ON SALE DATE: April 1, 2025
From the creator of the beloved webcomic The Oxherd Boy, comes this dazzling, gorgeously illustrated picture book about a little boy who learns he is big enough to do big things.
Little Ah-Fu has a big imagination, but he can’t imagine being the Oxherd Boy . . . yet.
When the day comes for Ah-Fu to bring the huge family ox home from the woods, he worries that he’s not big enough to do the job.
Will fear and self-doubt drive Ah-Fu home empty-handed? Or can he rely on his wits and compassion to become the Oxherd Boy his family expects—and prove to himself that he is, indeed, big enough?
Delightfully paired with exquisite illustrations, this empowering story inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy shows kids big and small how to trust themselves and embrace what they can be. - Beacon of Hope: The Life of Barack Obama
Beacon of Hope: The Life of Barack Obama
Doreen Rappaport
$19.99A magnificently illustrated picture book biography of Barack Obama : a tireless organizer, a brilliant orator, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the first Black president of the United States of America.
Before he became the president, Barack Obama was a little boy called Barry. Amid a happy childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, he also yearned for a better understanding of Black history and culture, and a better sense of his own identity as a Black American. Spurred by conversations around race, injustice, and inequality, he became a community organizer, practiced civil rights law, and was elected to the US Senate. “Yes we can!” became a rallying cry for his message of hope and change throughout the 2008 presidential election—which resulted in Barack Obama becoming the first Black president of the United States.
This addition to the highly acclaimed Big Words series celebrates one of the most inspiring American leaders of our time. With evocative illustrations by award-winning artist Tonya Engel, Doreen Rappaport’s richly detailed narrative employs rousing quotes from Obama himself and encourages young readers to investigate who they are and who they might one day become.
Don’t miss these other titles in the Big Words series!
Ellen Takes Flight: The Life of Astronaut Ellen Ochoa
Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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