“For me, a huge part of Black history is celebrating who we are as a people. Celebrating us. Not that we are all alike – far from it. But there is a history we share – as powerful or as painful or as beautiful as it may be – that should be also be a part of our focus. When we talk about Black history, we should also talk about our folklore and mythology, and our culture as a whole. And how we can all contribute to history.” — Eden Royce
As I started pondering ideas for a Black History month book-list, I came across this Harper Stacks blog post from Eden Royce, author of Root Magic (a 2022 Walter Award Honor title). She thoughtfully encourages a broader celebration, not just a look at extraordinary figures, but a recognition of Black people and the rich folklore of their culture. Royce reminds us that these stories are for sharing–whether it’s on a back porch or in a library. Inspired by her shift in focus, I moved from the fabulous titles in our review collection to the treasures in Ellin Greene Folk and Fairytale collection. Below is a list of favorites (with links to the Dominican University catalog) that celebrate the stories and myths Royce lifts up, from some truly celebration-worthy Black creators, that would be make a wonderful addition to Black History Month lessons and programming.
Ashley Bryan
Ashley Bryan’s African tales, uh-huh
Bryan, Ashley. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books. 1998.
All Night, All Day: A Child’s first book of African-American spirituals
Bryan, Ashley. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books. 1991.
Virginia Hamilton
Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl
Hamilton, Virginia; Ransome, James, illustrator. Harper Collins/Blue Sky Press. 2003.
Her Stories: African American folktales, fairy tales, and true tales
Hamilton, Virginia; Dillon, Leo, illustrator; Dillon, Diane, illustrator. Harper Collins/Blue Sky Press. 1995.
The People Could Fly: American Black folktales
Hamilton, Virginia; Dillon, Leo, illustrator; Dillon, Diane, illustrator. Harper Collins/Blue Sky Press. 1985.
A Ring of Tricksters: animal tales from America, the West Indies, and Africa
Hamilton, Virginia; Moser, Barry, Illustrator; Harper Collins/Blue Sky Press. 1997.
Julius Lester
John Henry
Lester, Julius; Pinkney, Jerry, illustrator. Penguin Random House/Dial Books. 1994.
The Tales of Uncle Remus: the adventures of Brer Rabbit
Lester, Julius; Pinkney, Jerry, illustrator. Penguin Random House/Dial Books 1987.
More Tales of Uncle Remus: further adventures of Brer Rabbit, his friends, enemies, and others
Lester, Julius; Pinkney, Jerry, illustrator. Penguin Random House/Dial Books. 1988.
Further Tales of Uncle Remus: the misadventures of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, the Doodang, and other creatures
Lester, Julius; Pinkney, Jerry, illustrator. Penguin Random House/Dial Books. 1990.
The Last Tales of Uncle Remus
Lester, Julius; Pinkney, Jerry, illustrator. Penguin Random House/Dial Books. 1994.
Patricia McKissack
The Dark-Thirty: Southern tales of the supernatural
McKissack, Patricia; Pinkney, J. Brian, illustrator. Penguin Random House/Yearling. 2001.
What titles would you add to this list?
Peruse these books and more in the Butler Children’s Literature Center collections. Reach out to schedule a visit — butler@dom.edu.
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