By Sheila Welch
For February, Black History Month, I’m offering four books that capture the essence of the African-American experience in our country. Children of any background will be enthralled by the determined spirit of the real people who’re featured in these stories.
Coming Home: from the life of Langston Hughes written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper is a fictionalized account of the childhood years of the famous poet. In combination with lush, golden- toned paintings, the text tells about Langston’s lonely early life and his dreams to find a place to call home. This is the perfect story for children ages six to ten. It makes a good bedtime read-aloud and might encourage children who are dreamers to write their own poems.
Freedom River written by Doreen Rappaport is illustrated with deep-hued, collage and watercolor illustrations by Bryan Collier that emphasize the river theme and are as dark and scary as the story. The hero, John Parker, was born a slave. After buying his freedom, he became a successful businessman who risked his life – over and over – to help slaves escape to freedom across the Ohio River. Children from eight to twelve will be thrilled to read this suspenseful tale.
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges and edited by Margo Lundell is the amazing true story of a six-year-old child who spent all of first grade as the only African-American student in her classroom. In New Orleans in 1960, no white parents sent their children to join her in an integrated school. This book includes many period photographs and gives a detailed account from varied perspectives – including Ruby’s own recollections – of this pivotal year in the civil rights struggle. Although presented here in picture book format, this difficult period of history might be best shared with thoughtful children ages eight to twelve.
Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Stephen Alcorn won the Coretta Scott King Author Award. Told in a rich voice, these stories give readers a wonderful introduction to ten woman who were part of the long fight for freedom and equality for blacks. Beginning with Sojourner Truth, born around 1797, and concluding with Shirley Chisholm, born in 1924, the book gives a sense of the timeframe and intensity of this history that will fascinate children ages ten to fourteen who are of any race or ethnic group.
Sheila Kelly Welch is a mother, grandmother and retired teacher. She’s been writing all her life and counts among her children’s fiction books Little Prince Know-It-All and A Horse for All Seasons. Sheila's most recent book, WAITING TO FORGET, published by namelos, has been selected by Bank Street College and Pennsylvania School Library Association for their lists of best-books-of-the-year.
You can learn more about Sheila on her web site.
