All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too.
I hope you will stay tuned to these posts. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers like Feeding Minds Press, Chronicle Kids, Twirl, Templar Books, Candlewick Press, and others as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
JUNETEENTH IS
By: Natasha Tripplett
Illustrated by: Daniel J. O’Brien
Published: April 9, 2024
Publisher: Chronicle Kids
Fiction
On June 19, 1865, General Granger stated, “Slaves are free!” The Black community continues to celebrate their freedoms and recognize the great strides of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr, President Obama, and others.
Juneteenth is wearing, eating, and drinking the color red to symbolize the bloodshed and anguish experienced by the enslaved people. Juneteenth is family and communities coming together to share food, music, dancing, and laughter. Juneteenth is also a time to remember those family members whose lives were maybe not as easy and who worked hard to earn the freedoms experienced today.
This book is a full-day celebration of Juneteenth. The illustrations show a whole family, young and old, along with their neighborhood, celebrating together, enjoying delicious food, and dancing along to the music. Juneteenth is an important celebration of history as well as excitement for the future. This book explains the history of Juneteenth and the meaning behind the celebration in a way that a child will understand why June 19 and Black history are part of our American history.
Natasha Tripplet lives in Northern California, where she writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore. She is a Jamaican-Jewish-American author who is passionate about cultural representation in children’s literature. She bubbles with excitement over antiques, chocolate, coffee on the front porch, and cozy movie nights in front of the fireplace with her husband and four children. Check out her website, HERE.
Daniel J. O’Brien is a Trinidadian-born author and illustrator. He holds a BFA in illustration from the School of Visual Arts. His love of everything folklore, nature, and science continually fuels his passion for creating exuberant and whimsical illustrations full of life and vibrant color. He currently lives in New York with his fantastic partner, Ashleigh, and his loyal dog, Obbie. Check out his website, HERE.
To purchase a copy of JUNETEENTH IS, click HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
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