Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander

 Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets is written by Kwame Alexander, along with Chris Colderly and Marjorie Wentworth, and illustrated by Ekua Holmes.  It is the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for its vibrant illustrations.  Caldecott winner Kwame Alexander joined Colderey and Wentworth to present original poems to honor twenty authors that have been an inspiration to them.  

Alexander, K., Colderley, C., Wentworth, M., & Holmes, E. (2017). Out of wonder: poems celebrating poets. Candlewick Press.

I See the Rhythm by Toyomi Igus

 

I See the Rhythm is written by Toyomi Igus and illustrated by Michele Wood.  It is the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for its stunning art of the history of African American music.  I See the Rhythm takes the reader on a musical journey through time.  You will feel the rhythm of work songs on a southern plantation, see the rhythm of jazz from New Orleans, dance to the rhythm of swing in Harlem, and rejoice to the rhythm of gospel at church on a Sunday morning.  I See the Rhythm is a celebration of African American music and its impact on the world.  

Igus, T., & Wood, M. (2014). I see the rhythm. Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books.

Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

 

Beautiful Blackbird is written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan.  It is the winner of a Coretta Scott King Award for its cut-paper art collage work in its array of colors, from maroon and pink to green, blue, orange, gold, and black.  Beautiful Blackbird is the retelling of a traditional African tale of the people of Zimbia.  The setting is long ago with all of the brightly colored birds of Africa, yet Blackbird wore the color black.  The other birds thought he was the most beautiful, so they asked him to make blackening brew to mark them with his beautiful black.  He agrees and reminds them how color is on the outside is not what it is on the inside.  They are happy with their new markings, so the beautifully decorated birds sing Blackbird a song of praise.

 Bryan, A. (2003). Beautiful blackbird. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes

 

The Stuff of Stars is written by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes.  It is the winner of a 2019 Coretta Scott King Award for its stunning collage art that is constructed with hand-marbled paper. The Stuff of Stars is about the beginning of the universe through the formation of stars and planets to the beginning of life on Earth.  In the book the universe begins with a bang, with stars catching fire and exploding.  The Stuff of Stars examines how Earth evolves over time with its conditions for life.  This is a great way to introduce kids to scientific concepts about the universe.  It is presented simply and clearly, making it easy for kids to grasp.  

Bauer, M. D., & Holmes, E. (2018). The stuff of stars. Candlewick Press.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

 

  

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artisty Jean-Michel Basquiat is written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe.  It recieved both a Caldecot and Coretta Scott King Award.  It is a biography of Basquiat who grew up in Brooklyn and is the son of a Haitian dad and a Peurto Rican mother.  He is a young New York artist who got his fame in the 1970´s.  His mom loved art and exposed him to museums, poetry, and theatre and encouraged him to draw.  Basquiat faced challenges when he was badly injured in a car accident, as well as his mother suffering from mental illness and having to leave the family.  He stayed focus with his art and began as a grafitti artist then eventually moved into galleries.  He became well known in his 20´s and sadly died at the young age of 27.  Radiant Child is a tribute to Basquiat´s life and celebrates and inspires creativity.  

Steptoe, J., & Butler, R. (2016). Radiant child: the story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Uptown by Bryan Collier

 

Uptown by Bryan Collier was awarded the Coretta Scott King Medal for its vibrant illustrations that are a blend of cut paper and watercolor.  In Uptown, a young African American boy takes the reader through a journey of the sights and sounds through his hometown of Harlem, New York.  Readers can experience the rows of brownstones that line the streets and the different cultures such as chicken and waffles, the vibes of 125th street, jazz, barbershops, orange sunsets, and songs by the Harlem Boys Choir.  The life like illustrations create the sound of the city and the joyful bustle of people living their lives in the neighborhood.  

Collier, B. (2000). Uptown. Henry Holt and Company, Inc.

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews

 

Trombone Shorty is written by Troy Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier.  Trombone Shorty earned a 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for its lively illustrations.  This is an autobiography that follows a young trombone player, Troy Andrews, in New Orleans.  As a young child, he is surrounded by music.  His father and brothers are musicians, so he wants to be one too.  He begins a band with his friends in the neighborhood.  Eventually he finds an old trombone and earns the nickname Trombone Shorty.  He even shares the stage with a famous jazz musician.  Troy develops into a jazz legend.  The book captures his journey and the soul and culture of New Orleans.

Andrews, T., Collier, B., & Graham, D. (2015). Trombone Shorty. Abrams Books for Young Readers.