Picture Books
- There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker
There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker
$17.99*Ships in 7-10 business days*
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and activist Alice Walker invites readers young and old to see the world—and our place in it—through new eyes in this new edition featuring art from Queenbe Monyei.
With beautifully poetic text and joyous illustrations to guide readers through their read, There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me is an ode to the natural world and our place in it. Celebrating the connections and interconnections between self, nature, and creativity, this gently provocative text opens up the world to a reader, and a reader to our world.
From the celebrated author of The Color Purple and other classics comes a beautiful, lyrical picture book for fans of her work of all ages.
- Overground Railroad
Overground Railroad
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
from $8.99*ships in 7-10 business days
A window into a child's experience of the Great Migration from the award-winning creators of Before She Was Harriet and Finding Langston.
Climbing aboard the New York bound Silver Meteor train, Ruth Ellen embarks upon a journey toward a new life up North-- one she can't begin to imagine. Stop by stop, the perceptive young narrator tells her journey in poems, leaving behind the cotton fields and distant Blue Ridge mountains.
Each leg of the trip brings new revelations as scenes out the window of folks working in fields give way to the Delaware River, the curtain that separates the colored car is removed, and glimpses of the freedom and opportunity the family hopes to find come into view. As they travel, Ruth Ellen reads from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, reflecting on how her journey mirrors her own-- until finally the train arrives at its last stop, New York's Penn Station, and the family heads out into a night filled with bright lights, glimmering stars, and new possiblity.
James Ransome's mixed-media illustrations are full of bold color and texture, bringing Ruth Ellen's journey to life, from sprawling cotton fields to cramped train cars, the wary glances of other passengers and the dark forest through which Frederick Douglass traveled towards freedom. Overground Railroad is, as Lesa notes, a story "of people who were running from and running to at the same time," and it's a story that will stay with readers long after the final pages. - Show the World! by Angela Dalton
Show the World! by Angela Dalton
$17.99A celebration of self-expression and the power of using your voice, centering Black children, and exploring the many things they can do, create, and say to make their mark.
Look around! Can you see?
The many spaces, places, and ways to
show the world all that you can be?
From painting, music, and slam poetry, to engineering, protesting, and photography, a young narrator journeys through her neighborhood, encouraging readers to explore all the many ways they can express themselves. A gorgeously illustrated and powerful celebration of self-expression shows children that there are so many spaces and opportunities to use their voices—and show the world exactly who they are.
What will you show the world? - Dancing in the Wings
Dancing in the Wings
by Debbie Allen
$17.99*Ships in 7-10 business days*
Sassy worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream of becoming a star ballerina. So for now she's just dancing in the wings, watching from behind the curtain, and hoping that one day it will be her turn to shimmer in the spotlight. When the director of an important dance festival comes to audition her class, Sassy's first attempts to get his attention are, well, a little wobbly. But Sassy just knows, somehow, that this is her time to step out from those wings, and make her mark on the world. Actress/choreographer Debbie Allen and Kadir Nelson collaborated on Brothers of the Knight, about which School Library Journal raved, "the strutting high-stepping brothers are full of individuality, attitude, and movement."
- The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamer County
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamer County
by Janice N. Harrington
$18.99*Ships in 7-10 Business Days*
Meet one smart chicken chaser. She can catch any chicken on her grandmother's farm except one - the elusive Miss Hen. In a hilarious battle of wits, the spirited narrator regales readers with her campaign to catch Miss Hen, but this chicken is "fast as a mosquito buzzing and quick as a fleabite." Our chicken chaser has her mind set on winning, until she discovers that sometimes it's just as satisfying not to catch chickens as it is to catch them.
- Helping Daddy
Helping Daddy
Angel Dike, Ebony Glenn (Illustrated by)
$18.99Baby loves doing everything with Daddy—from sorting laundry to gardening in the backyard—in this heartwarming picture book about the everyday bond between a dad and his child.
There is all kinds of cleaning to be done around the house, so Daddy needs lots of help. Baby is happy to oblige! But somehow when Baby helps, there ends up being more cleaning left to do than there was at the start. Including cleaning Baby! Luckily this dad has all the love and patience in the world for his little one in this sweet father-child book.
- Dad
Dad
$19.99From Christian Robinson, #1 New York Times bestseller, Caldecott Honoree, and one of the most recognizable picture book creators of this generation comes a loving tribute to all kinds of dads.
Dad is strong.
Dad is sweet.
Dad dreams of watching you grow…There are as many ways to be a dad as there are dads in the world. Dad is a big-hearted love letter to all of them, reflecting the range of relationships that dads, both animal and human, have with their little ones.
Dad is destined to be a classic, an evergreen gift for new fathers, and one of those rare picture books that resonates with every reader at any age.
The perfect gift for baby showers, Father’s Day, or all year round!
- Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame
Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame
$17.99Young Debbie Allen is destined for fame and everyone will know her name! A poetic, uplifting biography of a Black icon for kids ages 5-8.
New York Times best-selling author Tami Charles tells Debbie Allen’s inspiring story of perseverance and growing up during the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow South.
Young Debbie Allen was blocked from the local dance school in the 1950s Jim Crow American South. In order to allow Debbie to pursue her dream, Debbie's mother moved with her to Mexico where Debbie studied at the Ballet Nacional de Mexico. When they returned to Texas, Debbie was admitted to the Houston Ballet Foundation as the company’s first Black dancer, and a legendary career began.
Inspired by award-winning and NYT best-selling author Tami Charles’s interviews with living legend and dancer/actor Debbie Allen, this is an ode to creativity and perseverance, as well as an amazing history of a pivotal time in Debbie's life.
- This Hair Belongs
This Hair Belongs
$19.99A Kids Indie Next Pick
With lyrical verse and dazzling illustrations, this joyful ode to Black hair will empower readers ages 4–8 to celebrate the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of their natural hair.
From the intricate coils of kings and queens to the cornrowed maps to freedom of African Americans, This Hair Belongs is a heartfelt poetic tribute to Black hair throughout history. Told through powerful verse, stunning illustrations, and fascinating back matter, this Black history picture book pays tribute to the African origins of Black hairstyles and will remind young Black readers that their hair is magical and beautiful and belongs.
JaNay Brown-Wood and Erin K. Robinson deftly weave African and American history into this powerful children's picture book about Black hair, making it an essential nonfiction title honoring Black cultural heritage.
- Hairstory
Hairstory
Sold outJoy hums from this “glorious…beautifully styled” (Booklist, starred review)picture book celebration of the richness of the African heritage behind braids, locs, cornrows, and all manner of crowning glory, from ancient times to present day—perfect for fans of Sulwe and We Are the Ship.
With the lushest of language, a young girl getting her hair styled tells an overall history of African hair. Beads. Feathers. Cowries. Threads of gold. Ivory. Charcoal. Pearls. Bantu knots. Cornrows. Goddess Braids. Maps. Seeds. Afros. Clay. Dreadlocks. Woven with the greatest care. Across different African cultures. Everything rich with meaning.
- Centuries of meaning! Hair! It’s woven with history.
- It is living art—can be adorned with intricate rings, mother of pearl, feathers.
- It is identity.
- It shapes community.
- It can speak to age, wealth, or power.
- It provided escape maps for the enslaved to follow when written word was forbidden. Woven with seeds, pearls, gold, it provided a way to survive after escape.
- And to many, it contains the soul.For centuries, people of African descent have faced prejudice and judgment over their hair. Backlash for their styles. Dictated to as to what styles are “acceptable”. But author Sope Martins boldly, exquisitely, subverts this all in her celebration of African hair and its complicated, powerful heritage.
- Auntie's Baby
Auntie's Baby
$18.99In this heartwarming celebration of familial love, Auntie's favorite nephew has to navigate the growing pains of becoming a big cousin.
Auntie's baby boy knows he's the king of her heart--until the day she brings home someone new. Suddenly, his blankie is shared, his snuggle spot is different, and his big feelings are hard to handle. How can Auntie's love stretch far enough for them both?
But just when it seems like baby cousin is totally taking over, one sweet smile changes everything.
Bursting with heart and humor, Auntie's Baby is a tender reminder that love doesn't get smaller when families grow--it only gets bigger.
- If You Were a Kid at the March on Washington
If You Were a Kid at the March on Washington
Aaron Talley
$7.95What was it like to be a kid during the March on Washington?
In 1963, the United States was at the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. This was the year when activists from around the country joined forces to organize one of the most important protests in US history: the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Some of the marchers who protested for equal rights were kids!
Join Eugene and Lori as they march with thousands of other people for a day of unity and celebration that changed the course of history.
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
Step back in time to the most relevant historical moments with the best-selling series, “If You Were a Kid”! In an exciting blend of fiction and nonfiction, a fictionalized narrative teaches history through the eyes of kids, while informational text introduces readers to key factual information. With engaging text, illustrations, and photos on every page, “If You Were a Kid” will spark readers’ curiosity and imagination, making learning about our past an accessible and unforgettable experience.
- My Heart Speaks Kriolu
My Heart Speaks Kriolu
Stefanie Foster Brown
$19.99On Saturday walks with her grandfather, a young girl connects with her Cabo Verdean heritage while learning about the true meaning of home in this moving debut picture book.
Papa always speaks of someday bringing his granddaughter back home to Cabo Verde. But the young girl has never set foot on their ancestral island’s faraway shores. And each time Papa urges her to speak Kriolu, the Portuguese creole native to the West African country, the girl’s tongue betrays her, and she stumbles over her own words. If she can’t even get the language right, can her grandfather’s home ever truly be hers, too?
But each Saturday afternoon when she helps guide her sight-impaired grandfather through their close-knit Massachusetts community, the girl swears she can smell, hear, feel Kriolu. And each Saturday she comes closer to discovering where home truly lies.
- If I Had an Octopus (If I Had A...Series, 4)
If I Had an Octopus (If I Had A...Series, 4)
Gabby Dawnay
Sold outFrom the duo behind the bestselling If I Had series, a humorous and entertaining tale celebrating octopuses.
Have you ever thought about what the best aquatic pet would be? It’s an octopus, of course! When a little girl fantasizes about having a crazy smart octopus pet, she pictures jumping rope with its tentacles, practicing different ball games simultaneously, and playing hide-and-seek with her camouflaging friend (just look out for the ink!).
With vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, If I Had an Octopus is a laugh-out-loud story celebrating friendship between a child and her octopus. From the duo behind If I Had a Dinosaur, If I Had a Sleepy Sloth, and If I Had a Unicorn, Gabby Dawnay and Alex Barrow’s latest is a charming and imaginative tale about our favorite eight-armed creature.
Illustrated in color throughout
- Amoya Blackwood Is Brave
Amoya Blackwood Is Brave
Chantaie Allick & Aaron Marin
$18.99When 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 . . .
- And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison's Life in Stories
And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison's Life in Stories
Andrea Davis Pinkney
$18.99Stunning poetry and illustrations introduce a new generation to the beloved literary icon Toni Morrison, by New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and Caldecott Honor winner Daniel Minter.
From imaginative child to visionary storyteller, Toni Morrison was a fiercely inspiring writer that helped change the world. This poetic picture book is part love letter and part biography, praising the power of this Nobel Prize winner. With its tender refrain, readers will know how much Morrison's stories -- and their own -- mean to the world. She was loved -- and so are they!
- Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes A Marine Biologist
Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes A Marine Biologist
Paula Swearingen
$24.99Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes a Marine Biologist is a captivating tale that follows a young Nigerian-American girl who discovers her love for the ocean and its inhabitants while visiting the beach with her father. The book intertwines vivid imagery of sea animals with an inspirational message of self-worth, girl power, and encouragement.
With the encouragement of her father, Brown Skin, Curly Girl develops the unwavering belief that she can do anything if she sets out to make her dream a reality.
Through her journey, young readers will learn about the wonders of marine life and the important role that marine biologists play in protecting our oceans. They will also be inspired by her curiosity, imagination and enthusiasm for exploring the ocean.
Written by author Paula Swearingen, Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes a Marine Biologist is a must-read for young brown girls and all children who need a reminder that anything is possible if they set their minds to it. With beautiful illustrations and a powerful message, this book is sure to become a favorite for generations to come.
- The Stories from My Grandmother's Hands
The Stories from My Grandmother's Hands
by Resmaa Menakem, Mychael T. Rambo, and Leroy Campbell
$27.95In The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands, children (ages three to eight) and caregivers will experience the beauty of the connection between generations. This beautifully illustrated book features different pigmentations, gender breadth, and ableness within the Black diaspora.
As children and their caregivers read The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands, they will learn to value the gifts of their caregivers and grandmothers, and how they teach them to recognize energies in their own bodies, through cultural somatic practices. It is an interactive experience to be shared between generations. By reading these simple practices together, children learn that they and their people are not defective, and that things happened to their people before they got here. The Stories from My Grandmother's Hands is a toy box to help children create joy and manage the energetics of white-body supremacy.
- The River Is My Ocean
The River Is My Ocean
by Rio Cortez
$18.99A grandmother and granddaughter share a magical trip to the Hudson River affirming intergenerational love and the power of water in this heart-song of a picture book.
Every day, Abuela misses the ocean in Puerto Rico. But on Saturdays, when the sun is high, Abuela takes her granddaughter on a walk down the hill in Harlem to Twelfth Avenue, to a place that is just as magical: the Hudson River.
There, they visit Yamaya, mermaids that invoke child-like wonder and hold onto the memory of all who have passed through their waters. Together, Abuela, her granddaughter, and the spirits of ancient religion and familial love celebrate the river that brought millions of new Americans to its shores through the generations.
- A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison
A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison
by Carole Boston Weatherford
$19.99From award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford comes a captivating picture book biography about the incredible life of esteemed author, editor, and activist Toni Morrison, featuring gorgeous illustrations by debut artist Khalif Tahir Thompson.
How do you tell a story?
Before Toni Morrison was a Pulitzer Prize winner and Nobel Prize–winning author, she was Chloe Ardelia Wofford, a little girl in Ohio who was both the only Black child in her first-grade classroom and the only student who was able to read.
This is the true story of how that young girl learned from her upbringing, surrounded herself with stories, and made a tremendous impact on the world. Toni Morrison’s pen was her sword, and she grew to be a titan of the arts. Her legacy is one that still touches readers to this day.
Expertly and evocatively told by award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford, with beautiful painted illustrations by Khalif Tahir Thompson, this is a must-have picture book biography for any collection. It celebrates Toni Morrison’s legacy while inspiring readers to create art, believe in themselves, and strive for greatness.
- Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin
Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin
by Michelle Meadows
Sold out*ships or ready for pick up in 7 - 10 business days*
Celebrate James Baldwin’s one-hundredth birthday anniversary with the first-ever illustrated biography of this legendary writer, orator, activist, and intellectual.
Before he became a writer, James “Jimmy” Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books.
But Jimmy also found the blues, as a Black man living in America.
When he discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice. And that voice opened the world to Jimmy. From the publication of the groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly.
Michelle Meadows, author of Brave Ballerina and Flying High, introduces young readers to the great American novelist, essayist, poet, playwright, orator, and artist James Baldwin, who, with the fire of his pen, dared a nation to dream of a more equitable world filled with love. Brought to life with warm illustrations by Jamiel Law, Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues chronicles the life of an incredible visionary who left an indelible mark on American literature and history.
- Mamá's Panza
Mamá's Panza
by Isabel Quintero
$18.99*ships or ready for pick up in 5 - 7 days*
A body-positive picture book about a young boy's love for his mother and his mother's belly. Everyone has a panza—it can be big and round, soft and small, or somewhere in between. But a young boy’s favorite panza of all is Mamá’s. Her panza is capable of remarkable things, and she loves it as an important part of herself. Her panza was also his first home. Even before he was born, it cradled and held him. When he’s feeling shy and needs a place to hide or when he wants somewhere to rest during a bedtime story, Mamá’s panza is always there. With affirming text by Isabel Quintero and vivid art by Iliana Galvez, Mamá’s Panza is a young boy’s love letter to his mother, along with a celebration of our bodies and our bellies.
- Miles Morales Spider-Man: Through a Hero's Eyes
Miles Morales Spider-Man: Through a Hero's Eyes
by Denene Millner & Mónica Paola Rodriguez
$18.99*Ships in 7-10 business days*
This picture book will delight every Spider-Man fan with its vibrant illustrations and heartfelt story about self-discovery.
New York Times bestselling author Denene Millner’s picture book follows Miles Morales as he explores what it means to be an artist, to be Spider-Man, and to be himself.
Miles Morales is captivated by the murals in his neighborhood, bursting with color and life. Each one tells a story about the artist who created it, and as an aspiring artist himself, Miles dreams of making his own one day.
But Miles isn’t just an artist—he’s Spider-Man! When he makes friends with fellow artist Mr. Arty, Miles learns even more about his passions, his Puerto Rican heritage, and the importance of his neighborhood. - Laolao's Dumplings
Laolao's Dumplings
by Dane Liu
$18.99Millie's grandma, her Lao Lao, passes down her dumpling recipe in this heartwarming story about community, culture, and belonging.
Millie loves cooking with her Lao Lao, and together they walk through Chinatown collecting fresh ingredients to make a steaming hot batch of dumplings. Chives from Auntie Lim, shrimp from Uncle Lee, and enough lychee to last all day make for the perfect dumplings and the perfect summer together for Millie and Lao Lao.
However, when winter rolls around and Lao Lao falls ill, it's up to Millie to remember Lao Lao's recipe and return to Chinatown to get all the right ingredients. With two teaspoons of patience, a pinch of luck, and a whole lot of love, Millie and her parents make a batch of dumplings that Lao Lao will never forget.
This is a celebration not only of good food, but of the loved ones we get to share good food with. - Born Driven
Born Driven
by Saxton Moore Jr.
Sold outBased on the true story of the first African American NASCAR champion Wendell Scott, Born Driven is an uplifting tale celebrating the power of persistence and big dreams.
Like many other boys, Wendell Scott had a big dream: to become a race car driver. He loved to race anything and everything! Although he faced many difficulties as an African American boy in the South, Wendell had the willpower to overcome these obstacles. Join Wendell Scott for the time he challenged himself to compete in his town’s soapbox derby. - Plátanos Are Love
Plátanos Are Love
by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
Sold out*ships in 7 - 10 business days*
A delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family, told through a young girl’s experiences in the kitchen with her abuela.
Abuela says, “plátanos are love.”
I thought they were food.
But Abuela says they feed us in more ways than one.
With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, they are her culture, and—most importantly—they are love. - Mommy Time
Mommy Time
by Monique James-Duncan
$17.99*Ships in 7-10 Business Days*
This intimate picture book debut captures the joys—and occasional struggles—of being a stay-at-home parent.
Rollicking rhyme and playful illustrations record a day in the life of two rambunctious children and their stay-at-home mother. As fun as it is being a kid, it can be hard work being a mom. When Dad heads to his job, the joyful chaos of getting ready for the day begins. To the children, that day is a happy blur of school and playdates, singing and dancing, supermarket walks and library stops, bath time, story time, bedtime. But Mommy’s time is filled with a whole lot more—sweeping, laundry, stinky diapers—tiring work achieved with love in her eyes and care in her smiles. An authentic catalog of precious moments in the life of an ordinary family, this warm, revealing story builds a bridge of empathy between parent and child and celebrates the value of “Mommy time.” - When I See You by Dr Mide Adeleye
When I See You by Dr Mide Adeleye
$21.99*Ships in 7-10 Business Days*
Nia is a young bright 7 year old who loves to explore the world around her! One day she has an accident that takes her to the emergency room.
Come with Nia as she navigates the world of the emergency room and learns so much from her doctor! Dr. Adeleye teaches her and calms Nia down while taking care of her. Nia learns that the emergency room doesn't have to be such a scary place after all!
- Stacey's Remarkable Books by Stacey Abrams
Stacey's Remarkable Books by Stacey Abrams
$19.99The companion to the #1 New York Times bestseller and NAACP Image Award winner Stacey's Extraordinary Words, from political leader Stacey Abrams and artist Kitt Thomas.
Stacey’s favorite day of the week is Thursday, when the whole class goes to the library and she gets to lose herself in her beloved books.
On one of these special days, Stacey discovers that a new student named Julie has trouble reading in English, so they begin sharing books and stories to practice. Soon, more students start to join them.
Books take the group on magical adventures and reveal other worlds and cultures—but best of all, they bring them together as friends.
This is another inspiring tale, based on a true story from Stacey Abrams’s childhood, about the life-changing power of books.
- Yellow Dog Blues by Alice Faye Duncan
Yellow Dog Blues by Alice Faye Duncan
$18.99A lyrical road trip through the Mississippi Delta, exploring the landmarks that shaped one of America’s most beloved musical traditions.
One morning Bo Willie finds the doghouse empty and the gate wide open! Farmer Fred says Yellow Dog hit Highway 61 and started running. Aunt Jessie picks up Bo Willie in her pink Cadillac, and together they look for his missing puppy love. Their search leads them from juke joints to tamale stands to streets ringing with the music of B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Where, where did that Yellow Dog go?
Acclaimed creators Alice Faye Duncan and Chris Raschka present a boogie-woogie journey along the Mississippi Blues Trail. With swinging free verse and stunning hand-stitched art, Yellow Dog Blues is a soulful fable about what happens when the blues grabs you and holds on tight. - Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
by Patricia Hruby Powell
Sold out*Ships in 7-10 Business Days*
In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.
- The Old Boat
The Old Boat
by Jarrett Pumphrey
$17.95*Ships in 7-10 business days*
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 PumphreyÕs 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.
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