A joyous ABC collection about the celebration of Black culture on Juneteenth.
This book features words connected to Juneteenth, but also the culture and history of Black people in America. Words like E for everyone, O for Opal Lee (the creator of the holiday), V for visionary, and more that are focused on creating equity and inclusion for all people on this national holiday.
I really like this picture book ,and think it would be a wonderful addition to an elementary school library for both younger and older elementary readers. Before the book even started, there is a note about Juneteenth, the history of the holiday, and what it means - I think it frames the story wonderfully, and makes it a great choice for teaching elementary readers about the holiday. I like the 'Turn and Talk', 'Did You Know' and other blurbs featured on some of the pages, it makes the book more interactive for readers and a great point of discussion about history and feelings around these topics.
Because of our political climate, one thing I will mention is that the book does touch on some information about how Black people were treated in the past, as well as banned books, and this would be something that I think should be kept in awareness when sharing with students. I think that this book and the message is incredibly important, and these things should not stop anyone from purchasing or sharing the book with students, but I also know that that could be potentially dangerous for some.

This is a necessary topic that deserves careful attention, as well as celebration and remembrance. I love the way that Andrea Underwood Petifer handled this in an alphabet format that isn't too simplistic, yet invites readers to open up to a section and learn more. The illustrations are colorful and inviting. Each letter offers several key words that teach students more, and this resource would be an engaging resource for adults who want to learn more as well. I found myself discovering new facts about this historic event that I hadn't known previously.

I highly recommend this book for schools and libraries. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the advanced reading copy!

Netgalley ARC - 4.5 stars rounded up - this is a valuable book that introduces many important and difficult to talk about concepts. For the most part I think it does a great job of that, though it is quite text-heavy for an alphabet book.

This book is way too long for Storytime however it is a nice primer on the history of Juneteenth. In fact, I learned that there was a Juneteenth flag that I never knew till this book. It is technically an alphabet book, but I think that’s the frame they used to get the lessons across. It works and will help educate students on why Juneteenth was important.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

What a wonderful look at Juneteenth! I learned a lot and was motivated to learn even more. An uplifting, hopeful book with great illustrations and wonderfully thoughtful words.

As a Black woman and mother, The Juneteenth Alphabet resonated deeply with me. This beautifully crafted book is more than a celebration; it’s a teaching tool that helps bridge the gap between history and understanding for our little ones.

I believe it’s crucial for Black children to learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of our history because it shapes who they are and honors the sacrifices of their ancestors. My eldest daughter used to question why I celebrated Juneteenth with such passion until I explained its significance. This book would have made that conversation so much easier.

Andrea Underwood Petifer has masterfully broken down the complexities of Juneteenth in a way that is accessible for children, yet powerful enough to pull at the heartstrings of adults. It highlights the bravery and contributions of pivotal figures like Opal Lee and Thurgood Marshall, reminding young readers of the strength and resilience embedded in their heritage.

If you’re a parent struggling to explain the importance of Juneteenth to your child, this book is a perfect starting point. It’s a celebration of freedom, a history lesson, and a source of cultural pride all rolled into one. I highly recommend it to every family looking to instill a deeper understanding of Juneteenth in their little ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the eARC!

Normally, when you think of alphabet books, you think of them being for pre-Kindergarten aged kids, but this is probably suited for kids in 1st-3rd grade! The illustrations are colorful and engaging, and I honestly learned so much from the contents of this book. They were little "Did You Know?" and other engaging bubbles on nearly every page, providing context and more insight into whatever letter was on the page of the time. Even though it had bigger vocabulary words for older readers. this book was so accessible and engaging. I would definitely recommend this for any library or home collection as it's a fantastic resource to teach your kids about Juneteenth.

A truly immersive and engaging look at Juneteenth in ABCs! The author includes multiple related words for each letter (which I love in ABC books) and, while presented in a way that's not too overwhelming for kids, it's also jam-packed with *so* much historical and cultural knowledge. Word bubbles throughout encourage readers to get out and do their own research and community activities, as well.

Overall, this is an awesome introduction to Juneteenth and a great way to get kids engaged and informed early!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Juneteenth Alphabet wasn't the book that I was expecting it to be, it was so much more. The author leads us through the alphabet and educates us on African-American culture, traditions, historical figures and aspects of the Juneteenth holiday in a way that invites discussion, discovery and contemplation. Normally, we think of alphabet books as being for Pre-K age kids, and I do feel like this would be the perfect book for a young child! This would be a treasured book for so many kids who could pick it up as they grow older and pass it down over the years. However, this is a wonderful book for everyone, of all ages, to read. I know, I know....but I challenge you, as an adult, to pick this book up and learn something new. Education is power!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.