Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron

Wild girl, JUNIE B. JONES is a very popular series for children in 1st through 3rd grade. CLEMENTINE is a mad popular series. And so is RUBY LU, BRAVE AND TRUE, a series about a young Asian girl. As a school librarian I often wonder what does a little black boy do when he wants to read about boys who look like him, share his life experience and speak his language. Besides biographies of famous black men, what series will humor him and make him laugh? I have poured over Publisher's Weekly and the School Library Journal. To date I have not found a series with a young black boy as the main protagonist. However, Ann Cameron's STORIES THAT JULIAN TELLS does satisfy this tall order. In her collection of five stories, Julian is a jokester. He especially likes to trick his little brother, Huey, into believing things that are not true. Though the book was written in 1989 it remains in print because the stories resonate with children. For example, Julian helps his dad make a lemon pudding as a gift to his mother. The lemon pudding is so yummy that Julian and his brother eat it up. In another episode, Julian tells his little brother that eating leaves off a fig tree will make him grow. Julian makes up stories about many things which ultimately prove that storytelling (lies) should be avoided because they can lead to distruction. Here is a lesson us grown folks would do well to learn as well. This 71 page book is a great read aloud. Enjoy!

Barack Obama / Son of Promise / Child of Hope

This picture book (Barack Obama--Son of Promise, Child of Hope) is written by poet, Nikki Grimes. The artist is Bryan Collier. Grimes makes it clear that our 44th President was not a child of privilege. Like so many American children he did not grow up in a two-parent home. As Langston Hughes would say, life for him was not a crystal stair. There was abandoment and pain along the way. However, he never wavered in his personal ambition and desire to pursue excellence. Grimes provides a lyrical portrait of a determined little boy who was nurtured by an extended family of caring grandparents. This should inspire young children who find themselves living with guardians who are not their biological parents. It goes to show that a "broken home" is not an indicator of automatic failure. For the famous and non-famous such a challenging life often creates a resilient and conquering spirit. As for Bryan Collier's illustrations, they are a combination of watercolor and collage. The pictures are beautiful but not as captivating as his illustrations in Rosa (Parks) by Nikki Giovanni. Share President Obama's biography with all children but especially the ones who find themselves living without their parents. Let them know that they can make it! Yes, they can!

Coretta Scott

During the months of January and February why don't we celebrate love's inspiration! Let us celebrate dreamers and the people on the sidelines who pushed them ahead with encouragement, a nudge, hug and helping hand. Many will exalt Dr. King this month and next. But here in this book, author, Ntozake Shange sheds light on his queen, CORETTA SCOTT. The text is lyrical and spare. While it yet informs the young reader and reveals that CORETTA SCOTT was her own extraordinary person. Dr. King did not "make her." Theirs was a union of two equals coming together by divine providence to make a difference for the nation. And what can I say about the pictures by Kadir Nelson? They capture your attention and hold you. Glorious! Please buy and read no matter the month. Little girls and boys ought to know that in loving and working together, men and women make for positive change! This book is for Pre-K and above.

Ruby and the Booker Boys

Have you heard about RUBY AND THE BOOKER BOYS? This new series by Derrick Barnes explores the joyous life of a little black girl with three brothers. They live in a very happy home with their mother and father. Ruby is a creative spirit who loves to dance and sing. She yearns to be in the spotlight, longs to be the star of her own happy life. She is sassy, spunky and determined to shine. This is very difficult to do because all three of her big brothers are exceptional, talented and smart. And though she wants to be a popular kid, Ruby's big brothers blow the top off the "popularity scale." Therefore, she spends her days organizing plots and heists to steal their thunder. Buy this early chapter book series for little girls in grades 1-3. They will surely see themselves shining off the pages. Derrick Barnes who is a husband and father of three can be contacted at http://www.derrickbarnes.com/