James loves superheroes! He dreams of helping them fight bad guys. Unfortunately, he keeps hearing that they are just make-believe. Desperate to get to the bottom of all this crazy talk, he bombards his parents with a long list of questions about superheroes. Will their responses prove to James that Superheroes are real?

Superheroes Here and There is the third book of the "Inspired to be..." Series.

The "Inspired to be..." book series is a collection of children's books inspired by the culture, experiences, and dreams of Black people with the goal of inspiring all children.

This book is meant to inspire children to recognize traits in people that make them stand out as heroes. More importantly, this book is meant to inspire children to be real-life superheroes to others by embodying qualities like courage, kindness, determination, and authenticity. The moral of the story is simply: If you ever want to meet a superhero, you don't have to look very far because they are all around us.

Parents can use this book as an opportunity to talk about vocabulary words and new phrases as well as discuss with their child what a superhero means to them and who in their lives show up as superheroes.

A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2021

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021

The creators of The Old Truck set sail with an old boat and an evocative, intricately crafted exploration of home and family.

Off a small island,

an old boat sets sail

and a young boy

finds home.

Together, boy and boat ride the shifting tides, catching wants and wishes until fate calls for a sea change. Brothers and collaborators Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey’s newest picture book is a masterfully crafted celebration of the natural world and tribute to the families we make and the homes that we nurture.

A little girl loves the gorgeous freckles that adorn her face and make her special. no matter what anyone else says, in this fresh, lively picture book perfect for fans of I Am Enough and Skin Like Mine.

Pecosita has the most magnificent face full of freckles. Her abuela says they make her shine as bright as the estrellas in the sky! Sometimes, kids make fun and say Pecosita’s face looks like it’s full of spots. But Pecosita knows hers are as stunning as the dots on her dalmatian, Bean, and as dazzling as the delicious chocolate chips in her favorite cookies.

Her deep love for her freckly face reminds us that differences are okay and learning to embrace our differences helps us see what’s beautiful about everyone.

This emotional and lyrical picture book by acclaimed poet Zetta Elliott celebrates the importance of Juneteenth as well as the resilience of Black families and the power of community--featuring stunning illustrations from Caldecott Honoree Noa Denmon.

Black child
you were birthed from a
dark
jeweled expanse
infinite and vast
but holy as the womb

Never forget it was HOPE that birthed you ...

From birth to beyond, from slavery to freedom, and from generation to generation, this powerful and evocative book shows the breadth and depth of Black history--from the creative duo behind A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, which won a Caldecott Honor.

This vibrant and irresistible board book featuring simple cut-outs and bright patterns invites babies and toddlers to explore the world through triangles.

Babies and toddlers will delight in this beautifully designed introduction to shapes. This sturdy interactive board book features bold, stylish illustrations, patterns, and precise die-cut shapes to teach little readers to observe and identify the triangles around them. Parents and children will delight in this rich reflection of Black culture that inspires curiosity and fosters creativity.

Illustrated by Caldecott Honor Award winner Ekua Holmes, this modern and original Anansi the Spider story explores traditional kente-cloth making, written by award-winner Caroline Brewer, in cooperation with weaving expert Kwasi Asare.

When kente-cloth weavers stop weaving, Anansi the Spider must save the city in this rhythmic African folktale, a rhyming read-aloud trickster picture book.

This rhyming and rhythmic original Anansi fable finds Anansi the Spider needing to save the city. One day the sun stops shining because the kente-cloth making spiders stop weaving in protest against mass-produced cloth. Handmade kente cloth has made Africa famous and the spider city wealthy. Without it, the city is doomed.

Anansi faces the biggest challenge of his spider life, and his clever trickster past, coupled with help from his wife, will restore harmony.

Author Caroline Brewer and master kente-cloth weaver Kwasi Asare worked together to create this fresh take featuring the African trickster Anansi the Spider, a classic hero.

For fans of Oge Mora and Ezra Jack Keats comes a poetic and joyful tale about a young boy who runs errands with his grandfather in town, by critically acclaimed author, Gary R. Gray, Jr. (I’m From), and award-winning artist, Rahele Jomepour Bell.

“What are we doing today, Granddad?”
“How about a trip to town? Nan needs some things for dinner.”
“Let’s go!”
“How far to the market, Granddad?”
“No rush, son! We’re just spendin’ time.”

Upbeat lyricism and cheerful illustration bring to life this kid-friendly meditation on appreciating every moment—big or small—spent with the people you love.

A sweet celebration of dads in a colorful bilingual Spanish and English board book from Raúl the Third's New York Times bestselling, Pura Belpré Award–winning World of ¡Vamos! series.

¡Te quiero, Padre! Join Coco Rocho and his dad on an adventure full of all their favorite things to do together!

In this bilingual board book, young readers are introduced to Spanish vocabulary through the love between father and child. Perfect for Father's Day and new dads!

For more Coco Rocho Board Books, don't miss:

* My Mother, Mi Madre
* My Party, Mi Fiesta
* My Nap, Mi Siesta

In this bold anthem, feminist organizer and bestselling author Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee share their parallel journeys as activists.

We, sister-friends, working our way toward equality's front door. We, taking separate journeys, but walking in the same direction.

We ―― for peace. We ―― for love. We ―― for bravery.

Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee's dual paths have inspired a friendship empowered by the principles of equality, progress, and hope for a new generation. Here, two friends come together to tell one uplifting story of girls and women strengthening one another and changing the world.

From family roots to big dreams, global change makers Marley Dias, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias and Scott Dias show how change starts with one brave step...

In this bold affirmation of empowerment, strength, and purpose, activists and global change makers Marley Dias, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, and Scott Dias introduce their family’s legacy of blazing new trails, rising to meet opportunities, and choosing to seek new lands of promise. When Marley launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, she showed the world that young people can make a difference through action. Now, in this deeply personal narrative, Marley and her parents share the ancestral histories that have forged new opportunities for future generations by reaching for their dreams.

Campbell's Journey through Honesty Cave is a picture book for young children, ages 6-10 years old, that explores the importance of being a truth-teller.

After an accident derails their playdate, strong-willed and empathetic Campbell must decide how to "fix" what has happened. In his dilemma, he is swept into the cave of Truth Rock, where his special butterfly friend, Omni, challenges him to face its deepest cracks and crevices. Each step below reveals what Campbell is truly made of, how lies really take shape, and what is needed to conquer everyday word wars and the threat of a crumbling good character. But will Campbell take it all in to get back above ground and save the day?

Campbell's Journey explores the relationships between:

* Pride and Humility
* Fear and Courage
* Shame and Boldness

Why is it important? Our growing boys deserve to express themselves freely and wisely. We must offer a safe space for them to discover and understand the power of their words and decisions. It is with us that they first learn to choose better paths through tough life situations. Before the world can exact consequences for their actions, we firmly, and with love, rear them to become vocal, trusting, confident, and integral men of valor.

The bookclub meeting will take place on July 27 at TBA in the Kindred Stories' Reading Garden. Be sure to show up with the book read (or partially read). You are always welcome to just come and take up space. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

in this mouthwatering companion to Soul Food Sunday, a child joins his grandmother in catching and cooking to prepare for the family’s fish fry.

Fish Fry Friday is the perfect follow-up to Soul Food Sunday, a beloved Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor Book.

One special Friday when school is closed, our narrator finally gets to join Granny for her day’s routine. Rods and reels, lures and lines, bobbers and baits are packed in Granny’s Jeep.

Everyone cheers when Granny arrives at the pier—“the queen has arrived!” After reeling in the perfect catch together, they carefully scale and skin, cut and gut, batter and fry the fish into beautiful filets.

But the family meal isn’t complete until Grandson adds his own special side dish to the table—made just like Granny taught Momma, and like Momma taught him.

On Friday evenings, we go to Granny’s for a fish fry.
And on Friday mornings, Granny fishes.
This Friday, “You coming fishing with me,” Granny says.

Perfect for kids aged 4-8 comes a stunning picture book about persistence, being creative in the garden, and adapting to a new place.

When Amina moves from the Caribbean to a new snowy home, she misses growing her favorite foods. There are no coconut trees to climb, no gardens full of sweet potatoes and callaloo—only ice and snow. As Amina looks out her frosted window, she sings a traditional children’s song from back home, adding her own twist: “There’s a brown girl in the snow, tra la la la la, where none of her plants will grow.”

Determined to find a way to make her favorite plants grow in a new climate, she comes across a possible solution after discovering a library book about gardening and greenhouses. Perhaps there is a way to grow sweet potatoes, after all!

This stunning picture book written by a Guyanese-born author features:

* An introduction to gardening and greenhouses
* A note from the author about the inspiration behind the story

With gorgeous images by Marianne Ferrer, and moving text by Yolanda T. Marshall, Brown Girl in the Snow is inspired by a traditional Caribbean children’s song and captures a child’s unwavering persistence and passion, as she grows into her new home.

In this companion to Bravo!, Margarita Engle's beautiful poetry introduces young readers to lesser-known Latinos from varied backgrounds who have all shown tremendous resilience.

Prepare to be inspired by this empowering collection of poetry that tells a larger story about fortitude and community across Hispanic history. From environmental activists such as Christina Figueres to record breaking athletes like Pelé, each role model featured is a legend in their own right. There’s no better time to champion the accomplishments of this remarkable group of unsung heroes from all across Latin America!

Those profiled in this collection include Anacaona, Martín de la Cruz and Juan Badiano, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Micaela Bastidas Puyucahua, Simón Bolívar, Mariana Grajales Cuello, Ana Roqué de Duprey, Julio Garavito Armero, Ramón Fonst Segundo, Christiana Figueres, Juano Hernández, Gabriela Mistral, Martín Chambi de Coaza, Marina Núñez del Prado, Noé Canjura, Nicolás García Uriburu, Pelé, and Rigoberta Menchú Tum.

A stunning, poetic debut picture book from Pasha Westbrook about honoring one’s roots and the unbreakable bond of familial love, brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight.

Father braids my hair, just like his,

scented of coconut oil, the familiar tug of fingers on my scalp,

love in every twist...

As a young girl’s father lovingly yet painstakingly braids her hair, he weaves a story about the strength and resilience of their ancestors, Freedmen who walked the Trail of Tears from Mississippi to Oklahoma.

In this enchanting picture book, past and present come together in a tale about endurance, history, and love. With beautiful, sweeping illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight and debut author Pasha Westbrook's lyrical writing, Braided Roots tenderly explores the unwavering love between a father and daughter.

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.

Acompaña a la abuela un sábado en la tarde a visitar a Yamaya al río Hudson.

Todos los días, la abuela extraña el océano en Puerto Rico. Pero los sábados, cuando el sol está alto en el cielo, la abuela y su nieta recorren Harlem hacia la 12 Avenida camino a un lugar mágico: al río Hudson.

Ahí, van a celebrar al río que trajo a millones de americanos a sus costas, y al espíritu de una religión antigua y de un amor familiar pasado de generación a generación.

Esta historia es en un relato reconfortante inspirado por un río icónico, un amor expansivo intergeneracional, recuerdos y la curiosidad infantil que inspiran en sí.

*ships in 7 - 10 business days*

From award-winning author-illustrator duo Karina N. Gonzálezand Krystal Quiles comes Churro Stand, a heartwarming picture book celebrating love, community, and the POP, SIZZLE, and CRUNCH of a perfect churro—inspired by the author’s relationship with her own mother.
 
Everybody loves churros!
 
On a hot summer’s day, Lucía and her brother accompany their mother to sell delicious, sugary churros on the bustling streets of New York City. But when a thunderstorm rolls in, and the customers are chased away, Lucía’s mother must improvise with a little bit of magic and lots of amor.

*Ships in 7-10 business days*

This lyrical picture book is a beautiful, heart-opening ode to loved ones we’ve lost and a reminder that their love will carry on with us forever. Filled with stunning illustrations and uplifting text, this is an inspiring story for children and adults to read together in times of need.

This is not goodbye, sweet child.
I’ll see you on the other side. . . .

Simple, rhyming text and evocative illustrations offer comfort to children who may be grieving, or coming to terms with the idea of loss or change. The universal message opens the door to our collective healing, and the everlasting connection of love.    

Actress, dancer, and singer Rachel Montez Minor wrote this book to help children and their families process big life changes. With illustrations from Mariyah Rahman, Minor’s soothing and poetic words are a balm for the spirit.

*ships in 7 - 10 business days*

Illustrated by New York Times best-selling artist Bea Jackson, this poignant story speaks to Lunella Lafayette's insecurities about her hair as School Picture Day approaches.

Sure, Lunella may be a genius Super Hero (Moon Girl), but when someone makes unkind comments about her hair, she questions whether she needs to change it for School Picture Day. She is, after all, still a 13-year-old girl. Ultimately, Lunella figures out the hairstyle that makes her feel like her best self for her school picture, but not before struggling with what that means for her.

Readers will explore and relate to themes of self-kindness, patience, identity, and acceptance in this charming and funny story.

If you like this book, you might also considering adding these titles to your library:

• Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: One Girl Can Make a Difference
• Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Lunella's Journal
• Night Night Groot
• Snow Day for Groot!
• Captain Marvel: What Makes a Hero

*Ships in 7-10 business days*

A warm and inviting picture-book portrait of African American culinary legend Edna Lewis, who brought Southern cooking to the masses

Edna loved to cook. Growing up on a farm in Freetown, Virginia, she learned the value of fresh, local, seasonal food from her Mama Daisy, how to measure ingredients for biscuits using coins, and to listen closely to her cakes to know when they were done. Edna carried these traditions with her all the way to New York, where she became a celebrated chef, who could even turn traditional French food into her signature Southern style. The author of several cookbooks and the recipient of numerous awards, Chef Edna introduced the world to the flavors of her home.

*ships/available for pickup in 7-10 business days

The author of Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom and the author of Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag combine their tremendous talents for a singular picture book biography of Bayard Rustin, the gay Black man behind the March on Washington of 1963.

On August 28, 1963, a quarter of a million activists and demonstrators from every corner of America convened for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was there and then that they raised their voices in unison for racial and economic justice for all Black Americans, to call out inequities, and, ultimately, to advance the Civil Rights Movement.

Every movement has its unsung heroes. Individuals in the background who work without praise and accolades, who toil and struggle without notice. One of those unsung heroes was at the center of some of the most important decisions and events of the Civil Rights Movement.

Credited with introducing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the power of peaceful protest, for orchestrating the March on Washington, and for skillfully composing the program that placed Dr. King at the end of the list of speakers and musicians for what would become his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, this unsung hero will be celebrated for the first time in a picture book.

The unsung hero behind the movement was a quiet man. A gay, African American man. He was Bayard Rustin. On the heels of the sixtieth anniversary of this historic moment, two acclaimed picture book authors tell Bayard's inspiring story in an innovative and timeless book. A Song for the Unsung is the rousing story of one of our nation's greatest calls to action by honoring one of the men who made it happen.

This inspirational picture book biography, a collaboration between two Coretta Scott King Honor winners, tells the story of Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the Supreme Court. Now available in paperback.

Growing up in segregated Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall saw that things weren’t fair. Laws said Black and white people couldn’t attend the same schools, play in the same parks, or even drink from the same water fountains. When he was assigned to read the Constitution as a school punishment, his eyes were opened. Thurgood knew that Jim Crow laws were wrong, and he was willing to do whatever it took to change them.

His determination to fight for equality for all Americans led him to law school and then to the NAACP, where he argued cases like Brown v. Board of Education before being appointed as a Supreme Court justice. But to get to the highest court in the land, Thurgood had to make space for himself every step of the way.

Coretta Scott King Honor winners Kekla Magoon and Laura Freeman unite to tell the incredible story of the first Black Supreme Court justice, who was a remarkable fighter for civil rights and equality throughout his life.

*ships in 7-10 business days

A joyful picture book about a disabled girl with cerebral palsy who goes back-to-school shopping with her best friends, from #DisabledandCute creator and The Pretty One author Keah Brown.

Sam loves herself, learning, and making her family and friends laugh. She also loves comfortable seats, including a graceful couch named after Misty Copeland and Laney, the sassy backseat of Mom’s car.

After a busy morning of rest, Sam and her friends try on cute outfits at the mall and imagine what the new school year might bring. It’s not until Sam feels tired, and the new seat she meets isn’t so super, that she discovers what might be her best idea all day.

With hilarious, charming text by Keah Brown and exuberant illustrations by Sharee Miller, Sam’s Super Seats celebrates the beauty of self-love, the power of rest, and the necessity of accessible seating in public spaces. Includes narrative description of art for those with low/limited vision. 

*Ships in 7-10 business days*

Baby is finally asleep. But everyone is much too loud! Can Mom, Daddy, Grammy, Pop Pop, Shae, Dante, Rover the dog, and even the neighbor keep quiet? Just when they think they can rest—oh no. The baby’s awake. One savvy little narrator knows just the way to make his baby sister fall back asleep: by reading her a good book!

A hilarious cast of characters will keep readers laughing throughout this amusing celebration of early literacy and intergenerational family relationships.

*Ships in 7-10 Business Days*

Angela Dalton’s warm text is perfectly paired with Jestenia Southerland’s beautiful art in this multigenerational picture book that taps into a rich African American tradition of family reunions, with food at the heart of the celebration.

Once a year, each of Ruby’s relatives prepares a special dish to share at their family reunion. Daddy calls it their “signature dish”—and Ruby wants one of her own. She wanders through the bustling kitchen looking for inspiration. As she watches Pop-Pop’s chicken sizzling in the skillet, Uncle G slicing onions, and Auntie Billie cooking corn on the hot grill, she wonders if she’s just too young to have a signature dish. That’s when she finds it—the perfect solution!