Memorial Hall Library

Pictures Books of Black Joy

Our staff has selected some wonderful stories for sharing with your children. Feel free to request for curbside pickup. Some are also available as ebooks and audiobooks on the Overdrive (Libby) and Hoopla apps.

Crown : an ode to the fresh cut
Crown : an ode to the fresh cut
by Derrick D Barnes

Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair
The king of kindergarten
The king of kindergarten
by Derrick D. Barnes

A Newbery Honor-winning author offers an empowering story about a confident little boy who takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, encouraging new students with a reassuring message about this exciting milestone. Simultaneous eBook.
Brown baby lullaby
Brown baby lullaby
by Tameka Fryer Brown

An illustrated lullaby featuring a busy, independent, beloved brown baby being prepared for bedtime
I am perfectly designed
I am perfectly designed
by Karamo Brown

Told in two voices, as a father and son share a nostalgic day, the father reminds his son he has all that it takes to explore and succeed in the world
Imani's moon
Imani's moon
by JaNay Brown-Wood

Wanting to do something great, Imani, a young Maasai girl with a loving mother, decides she wants to touch the moon and works hard to reach her goal despite the teasing of detractors, in a story complemented by facts about Maasai folklore and culture. Simultaneous.
Hair love : a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere
Hair love : a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere
by Matthew A Cherry

An ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters by the former NFL wide receiver depicts an exuberant little girl whose dad helps her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self. Illustrated by the award-wining artist of Little Leaders. Movie tie-in. Simultaneous eBook
Last stop on Market Street
Last stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Peña

A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things. By the author of the celebrated picture book A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis.
Love and the rocking chair
Love and the rocking chair
by Leo Dillon

A multigenerational celebration of the lasting power of family follows the upbringing of a boy who is raised by loving parents before marrying and having children of his own. By the award-winning creators of Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears. Illustrations.
Magnificent homespun brown : a celebration
Magnificent homespun brown : a celebration
by Samara Cole Doyon

Presents a celebration of the love of family and oneself
Southwest sunrise
Southwest sunrise
by Nikki Grimes

Jayden expects to see nothing but brown his first morning in New Mexico, but after being surprised by colorful rocks, flowers, birds, and animals, he wonders if this place could become home
Peekaboo morning
Peekaboo morning
by Rachel Isadora

Little ones can play a game of peekaboo with a toddler who is trying to find Mommy, Daddy, Puppy, Grandma, and Grandpa, in an enchanting board book filled with pastel illustrations.
Peter's chair
Peter's chair
by Ezra Jack Keats

When Peter discovers his blue furniture is being painted pink for a new baby sister, he rescues the last unpainted item, a chair, and runs away
The snowy day
The snowy day
by Ezra Jack Keats

Vivid full-color illustrations capture a young boy's delight in the first snowfall of the year, in a board book edition of the Caldecott Medal-winning classic.
When Aidan became a brother
When Aidan became a brother
by Kyle Lukoff

"Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby"
Princess hair
Princess hair
by Sharee Miller

Little girls pretending to be princesses celebrate the different shapes, textures, and styles of their black hair
Saturday
Saturday
by Oge Mora

A follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning Thank You, Omu! finds a specially planned mother-and-daughter Saturday upended by a series of disappointments that end in the daughter comforting her mother by saying that being together was the most important thing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Sulwe
Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong'o

The Academy Award-winning actress presents the story of a little girl with beautiful, midnight-colored skin that makes her feel different from everyone, until a magical journey in the night sky transforms her perspective. Illustrated by the creator of Little Leaders. 250,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
M is for melanin : a celebration of the black child
M is for melanin : a celebration of the black child
by Tiffany A. Rose

An empowering alphabet book celebration of diversity combines striking multicolored artwork, skill-reinforcing word examples and affirming, culturally positive messages, from “A is for Afro” and “F is for Fresh” to “V is for Voice” and “Z is for Zillion.” 25,000 first printing. Illustrations.
Mufaro's beautiful daughters : an African tale
Mufaro's beautiful daughters : an African tale
by John Steptoe

Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife
Layla's happiness
Layla's happiness
by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie

Seven-year-old Layla divulges many things that make her happy, especially her family and their community garden
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