CORETTA SCOTT KING

Let It Shine

Author/Illustrator: Ashley Bryan

Bryan, A. (2007). Let it shine: Three favorite spirituals. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Traditional Literature

Awards: 2008 Coretta Scott King Award

Summary: The words to three Negro spirituals are told using cut paper collages and bright visual images.

How this book relates to young children: The words are engaging and the pictures help bring the story to life for young children.

How I would use this book with young children: This book is good to use during a genre study of traditional literature or during Black History month.

The Moon Over Star

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Aston, D. H., & Pinkney, J. (2008). The moon over Star. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards: 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor, 2009 Bank Street Best Book List

Summary: The story of a young girl who reminisces about the moon landing in 1969 and how it was received by her family and the nation.  The illustrations are very appropriate for a book set in a different era. 

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy reading about the imaginations of the characters in the story.

How I would use this book with young children: This is a good book to use as part of a space unit or for visualizing.

Dave the Potter

Author: Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Hill, L. C., & Collier, B. (2010). Dave the potter: Artist, poet, slave. New York: Little, Brown.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards: 2011 Coretta Scott King Award, 2011 Caldecott Honor

Summary: The story of a slave named Dave who became widely known for his pottery and the poetry that he inscribed in his work.  The artwork is comparable to paintings and are engaging to the reader.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the beautiful illustrations and the cryptic poetry.

How I would use this book with young children: This book can be used during Black History month or during a writing unit on poetry.