Member Reviews
This new ABC book is incredibly well-done, with a solid rhyme-scheme, adorable artwork, and lots of great points and letter choices. I loved the inclusion of some lesser known Black people who had a significant impact on the world.
The ABCs of Black History is a book that all families and schools must have in their library. Each beautiful page educates the reader and celebrates the trailblazers and history makers of the African American community.
Wow. This book. I love it so much. From the words to the pictures, this book is so awesome.
First of all, it covered a lot of black history, some of which is widely taught, and some of which is lesser known. It’s also very child friendly.
I love that some recent information and people are included in the illustrations. This is what our children are growing up with, and what they need to be exposed to and aware of to be informed citizens one day. I will definitely be buying this book for my daughter as soon as it comes out in December. It’s very well done, and I think it should be on every child’s bookshelf!
This beautiful new ABCs book tells us important parts of Black History. I love this book and it deserves a spot in every library collection!
I loved this book! It is written so amazingly. I loved the rhyming (if you follow my reviews, you know that I love rhyming children's books). I feel like so much is focused on white history, and this book helps introduce little ones to Black history. Poet Rio Cortez does a fantastic job with the writing. I feel like this book is so much better than the traditional ABC books for little ones.
*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
I loved this. Excellent and bright illustrations that were very engaging. I appreciated the wide variety of topics covered that were assigned to each letter. They were clearly very thoughtfully chosen, and carefully rhymed. Mostly if was just a gorgeous book to look at and I can’t wait to get a finished copy when it’s released.
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really great book, love the words they chose for the letters! really like the art work too, really great kinds book
Thank you to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!
"The ABCs of Black History" is a fantastic celebration of black history and black culture. The past and present are interwoven, illuminated by beautifully colorful full page spreads and rhyming couplets.
What's great about this book is the wealth of information. There are simple but detailed allusions to notable black figures from all walks of life and their historical impact and contributions. Although a children's nonfiction, the book honestly highlights the good, bad and ugly moments throughout history, such as slavery, integrating schools, sports, music, civil rights and more.
"The ABC's of Black History" sets itself apart from other "ABC" picture books by applying more than one word to letters. My favorites were about black diaspora and the Harlem Renaissance. But notably, I loved the illustration showing a line of people - past to present - marching and holding signs - also past and present. It was a powerful illustration.
The story is very clear and accessible, an ideal teaching tool for readers of all ages. Not only does it tell a story but, expanding on earlier statements, provides lists of resources for readers to learn more in-depth historical black moments. There is also a helpful glossary that breaks down terms used throughout the story.
After reading "The ABCs of Black History," I feel more connected to this shared history, renewed awe by such strong and creative people, and inspired evermore to dream big.
“An ABC book like no other”. The authors certainly got that right. A rhyming tale of noteworthy people, past and present. Whether or not I’m familiar with all the people mentioned is not important. What is important is the fact that everyone should be familiar with most and get to know the rest. I firmly believe adults ought to read this. Even though the subject very isn’t deep yet it packs a very powerful punch! We should never stop learning.
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The ABCs of Black History is a fantastic book for children to educate them not only on the alphabet (from a young age), but to also educate, inspire and evoke respect and recognition to the struggles that have occurred across history for people of colour, and even today.
This book shows the good and the bad times/events between its pages and mentions some of the influential people who fought for and helped make a change across history.
I loved the glossary at the back of the book which gives further information for each letter of the alphabet and helps to provoke further thinking too.
This is a book all schools and children should have the pleasure to read and access to read too to broaden their thinking and educate them on history and the world they are growing up in.
As a member of the Notable Books for a Global Society Selection Committee, I am not able to give a review on this book, as it could be under consideration for this distinction. However, this book will be published in 2021 so it will be under consideration next year.
Thank you Workman Publishing Company for granting me free and early access to this book via Netgalley in exchange for my impartial review.
The author and illustrator both did such a great job here. I loved every part of this book, and it will make a great addition to every black kid's library. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and getting lost in the pages.
The entries: As explained in the blurb, this book goes beyond "A for Apple". This book serves to teach young black kids about their heritage, their power, and about role models. Entries featured important messages, events and defining moments in black history, notable black figures from all walks of life, and other important aspects of being black.
The illustrations: Lauren Semmer, the illustrator, did a wonderful job with creating such powerful images that conveyed the message of each entry. Each illustration was vibrant, colorful, and very informative.
The formatting: The formatting of this book will make it all the more easier for kids to read and assimilate.
I really enjoyed this book and will be posting a review on my blog and Instagram towards the release date.
https://instagram.com/oyindalovesbooks?igshid=le3n3ieh7gc2
https://oyindamolaadeoti.wordpress.com/category/books/book-reviews/
This book provides a solution to a much needed hole in children's literature!!! Not just an ABC book, it gives historical and modern context that is appropriate for elementary aged kids as they learn about Black History. Most importantly, it weaves a larger picture of events and people through time. It also emphasizes universal qualities of all people enabling readers to build connections to history itself. Absolutely purchase this for home and school!
I really enjoyed this book and it has a lot more packed in to the pages than your traditional ABC book and I was very pleasantly surprised!
The images were nice and bright and it had some excellent learning points and ones we need to be introducing to children at a young age in my opinion.
My daughter is only 3 but she is learning all the time and is a bit of a sponge in terms of her memory at the moment so she is the ideal age and I personally I think you can never be too young to start being kind to each other irrespective of your ethic background, nationality or appearance and I want to make sure that she knows and remembers this throughout her life.
This book was interesting as an adult too and it is a great way to read about characters and topics to encourage people to go away and read more about them - it is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!
This title is amazingly well put together! It starts and ends with further resources and is so much more than an ABC book. So much history and so much empowerment in this title.
This is a stunning book in regards to both illustrations and content. I learned quite a bit from it as an adult and it can be used by homeschoolers to start many different lessons. Highly recommended!
I enjoyed this book. Yes, it is quite wordy for younger children. The illustrations are great and they reflect the words that are on the page. I like the afterward and the more detailed explanations of the alphabet and the historical figures that are named within the book
Thank you Netgalley and Workman Publishing Company for the opportunity to read and review this book.
ABCs of Black History is a book of the alphabetic with many terms about black history. I love that there are many words for each letter. So there is a to learn! Plus the illustrations are beautiful!
This is a gorgeously illustrated introduction to Black history, written in rhyming verse. Suitable for all ages, even adults, and with an index that goes further into the people and places mentioned. Highly recommended!
This is a beautiful book for children of all ages, accessed even by non readers via the beautiful illustrations. It is empowering and celebratory of black culture.