The ABCs of Black History written by Rio Cortez,
illustrated by Lauren Semmer
Workman Publishing, 2020, 64 pages
Black History Month 2021 is coming to an end and I thought I would look at a book that has become one of my favorites and one I have used often with my young readers in the last two months. It is a bold and beautiful book that introduces kids to Black culture, heritage, and history. It is set up like a typical ABC book, but each letter of the alphabet is used to frame and celebrate important dates, events, people, and community structures like the church that are so much a part of the Black experience, with most letters used more than once, but no letter needing to be left out or glossed over. Told in rhyming stanzas, it is a look back at the past and what has been accomplished, a look at the present and what is being done, and a look forward to the future and what more can and needs to be done in the fight for freedom and equality, beginning with A is for anthem.
This is also a book that is meant to empower young readers with pride in who they are (B is for Beautiful - I'm talking to you!/ Your voice, your height, your hair, your hue.); what they can do (R is for rise, to reach for the top,/ relentlessly striving, refusing to stop.); and where they come from (D is for diaspora - pulled from our homes,/ we were carried away in ships on the foam/ to Haiti, Cuba, America, Brazil.) Included in this journey are important and influential roles models, such as scientists like Katherine Johnson, inventors, politicians like Shirley Chisholm and President Barack Obama, artists, musicians and writers among those celebrated are Toni Morrison. James Brown and, of course, James Brown, as well as places like Harlem where some were able to explore and hone their talent.
Everything included in this work is a unique part of Black history, and yet, the information never overwhelms readers with facts and dates, rather it serves as an invitation to find out more. The illustrations are bright, bold and beautiful, just like the message, digitally done in cut paper collage. There is extensive front and back matter with resources for anyone wanted to explore more, as well as list of Terms and Figures used in throughout the book. So, for example, if your reader doesn't know who Langston is, they can find more detailed information about him there. This is a book that is a wonderful celebration which not only empowers its readers, but it also serves as a call to action for them to add their voice.
I read this with my young readers several times, and while none are African American, they are nevertheless children of color who could relate to so much of what is included in this book. And I think that part of the beauty of it is that it will appeal to all children of color and open their eyes to some of the same ideas about themselves and who they are.
The ABC's of Black History is a beautifully thought out, well crafted book that every parent, teacher and child should own, read, discuss and use all year round.
This book is recommended for everyone who cares.
This book was gratefully received from the publisher.
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