Black Children's Books: Illustration & Reclamation
curated by Crys Ganatra
With the advent of Banned Book reading lists and We Need Diverse Books, conversations surrounding diverse representation and nuanced storytelling are growing. Publishing companies are offering more opportunities for marginalized voices. Unfortunately, American children’s book history has been saturated with predominantly white characters and perspectives. If black and brown characters were given space, those narrating and shaping those narratives were often not a part of the communities they represented. Black Children’s Books: Illustration & Reclamation aims to celebrate a few talented Black writers and illustrators providing new perspective on their history and telling their own stories for their own communities. History informs the present, so their contributions to visual culture are powerful.
Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black Sambo
Written by Julius Lester, llustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Originally published in 1996 by Puffin Books
Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney reclaim and adjust their own version of Helen Bannerman’s 1899 Little Black Sambo- a book which illustrated Black people in racist caricature. Their 1996 version reworks the overall story and the young protagonist and his family as beautiful, full-of-life people all named Sam. Pinky’s elegant linework and soft watercolor technique enhance both the personality of the characters and Lester’s writing.
Ellington was not a Street
Written by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2004
Nelson illustrates scenes of historic, influential Black men who frequently visit the father of a little girl. The words within the book are pulled from Shange’s poem titled Moon Indigo and includes brief descriptions of each of the men illustrated in the back of the book. Both writing and artwork celebrate Black history and culture.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Words and paintings by Kadir Nelson
1st Edition published by Balzer + Bray, 2011
A Birthday Cake for George Washington
Written by Ramin Ganeshram and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Published by Scholastic Press, 2016
Ganeshram and Brantley’s book tells the story, based on real events, of historical figure Hercules- George Washington’s personal slave and cook. Although illustrated by a Black person, it is controversial as it depicts a sugarcoated version of slavery. A Note to the Reader in the back invites questions such as: How should Black illustrators balance dark realities while also making it accessible for children? Adults and children can and should engage in difficult conversations.
Abby Takes a Stand
Written by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Gordon C. James
Published by Viking, 2005
McKissack uses the nostalgic retelling of a grandmother’s life as a child. The grandmother describes to her grandchildren not only a personal experience with racism in the South, but her evolution of increasing political consciousness. Her journey results in participation in non-violent protest alongside her community. This book works as an excellent example of the history of the Civil Rights Movement being told through accessible, Black voices.
Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis
Written by Jabari Asim, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books, 2016
This illustrates part of the life of Black historical figure and activist John Lewis as a boy living in rural Alabama. Asim & Lewis beautifully transform a personal anecdote from John Lewis and give the reader insight to his motivation & guiding origin story.