Products You May Like
Former President Joe Biden officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, but Black families across the United States had been celebrating the date for more than a hundred years. The holiday commemorates the official end of slavery, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 to take control of the state and end the enslavement of African Americans. This was a full two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Picture books about Juneteenth are relatively new to the format, most being published after President Biden declared it a federal holiday, though some predate that, like Juneteenth for Mazie (2015) and All Different Now (2014), both wonderful reads. Here are five other picture books celebrating the holiday. Some take place in the past and explore the day’s history, while others depict modern families and the ways Juneteenth is celebrated today. They’re all excellent introductions to the holiday.
A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor
Author and illustrator Kim Taylor uses quilting to tell the story of Juneteenth. The quilted illustrations are stunning, with layers of fabric, color, and text that capture the daily lives of Huldah and her family, and their joy on freedom day. Huldah lives on a plantation in Galveston, Texas, and she receives the best 10th birthday present ever when soldiers come to the cabins where the enslaved people live and announce their freedom. Huldah and the other children make a flag for Juneteenth, and she receives a special present from her parents to celebrate freedom. It’s a beautiful, joyous picture book. I notice something new in the illustrations every time I read it.
The Night Before Freedom by Glenda Armand & Corey Barksdale
This picture book opens in the present, with a child asking for the family’s Juneteenth story. The entire family gathers around Grandma and listens, aptly, as she tells them the story of Juneteenth to the same rhythm as “Twas a Night Before Christmas.” The vibrant illustrations have a dreamlike quality, with soft, blurred lines that depict the child’s ancestors flying on wings to freedom, dancing in joy, and lifting their hands to the sky. It’s a catchy read-aloud and a wonderful introduction to the holiday for young readers.
The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini & Sawyer Cloud
This text-heavy picture book delves deeper into the history of Juneteenth, beginning hundreds of years earlier, on July 4, 1776. While white male Americans declared freedom on that day, Agostini shows how the enslavement of Africans continued and highlights abolitionists like Frederick Douglas before depicting Juneteenth. But freedom didn’t happen overnight. Jim Crow Laws and the Civil Rights Movement followed, and Juneteenth celebrations evolved over many decades. For young readers seeking more depth into the holiday’s history, this is the picture book for you. Also check out The Juneteenth Cookbook, by the same author and illustrator, for some great kid-friendly recipes for the holiday.
The Kids Are All Right
Sign up to The Kids Are All Right to receive news and recommendations from the world of kid lit and middle grade books.
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett & Daniel J. O’Brien
This picture book takes place in the present day and follows one family’s Juneteenth celebrations through the eyes of a young girl. The girl and her family attend a Juneteenth parade, host a family potluck, and remember the past together. The illustrations show the Juneteenth flag and symbols of Black pride, as well as diversity among family members. The dad has a prosthetic leg, for example. An author’s note explores the importance of the color red for the holiday. It’s a delightful picture book that centers the importance of family on this holiday.
Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy by Van G. Garrett, Reginald C. Adams, & Samson Bimbo Adenugba
A family attends their first Juneteenth parade in Galveston, Texas, in this celebratory picture book told from the perspective of a young boy. At first, the child is awed by the music and people; then he realizes, in amazement, that everyone in the parade looks like him and his family. His mom explains the history of Juneteenth, and as fireworks explode over the city, a chorus sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem. The soft, watercolor illustrations give this picture book a ‘70s feel. Kids will be eager to attend Juneteenth celebrations after reading this.
Check out this list of more books about Juneteenth for all ages.
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.