THE 33RD ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN'S BOOK FAIR
Past Participants Black Books Are 2021
JUDY ALLEN DODSON
TRACEY BAPTISTE
WINSOME BINGHAM
PAULA CHASE
TRICIA ELAM WALKER
TONYA ENGEL
C.J. FARLEY
R. GREGORY CHRISTIE
THEANNE GRIFFITH
NIKKI GRIMES
EKUA HOLMES
WADE HUDSON
KAIJA LANGLEY
VARIAN JOHNSON
JANAE MARKS
GREG NERI
JEWELL PARKER RHODES
CHARLES R. SMITH, JR.
NATASHA TARPLEY
DON TATE
TRACI N. TODD
SCHELE WILLIAMS
IBI ZOBOI
ELIZABETH ZUNON
Moderators
PRESERVE A LEGACY BUY A BOOK
SUSAN BROWNE
DR. JACQUELINE DOUGE
DINAH JOHNSON
VANESSE LLOYD-SGAMBATI
KELLY STARLING LYONS
OLUGBEMISOLA RHUDAY-PERKOVICH
CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN’S BOOK PROJECT BEST PICTURE BOOKS OF 2021
The titles in The African American Children’s Book Project Best Picture Books of 2021 run the gamut from fiction to non-fiction. The list has books that will make you smile, books that will enlightened you and books that will enrich your life. All of the books have one thing in common they are written and illustrated by Black literary creators. To order copies of the books listed go to: bookshop.org/shop/
A Day for Rememberin: Inspired by the True Events of the First
Memorial Day
– Leah Henderson (author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator) – Harry N. Abrams
The Electric Slide and Kai
– by Kelly J. Baptist (author), Darnell Johnson (Illustrator) – Lee and Low
Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History
– by Schele Williams (author), Tonya Engel (Illustrator) – Harry N. Abrams
Alaina and the Great Play
– by Eloise Greenfield (author), Colin Bootman (Illustrator) – Alazar Press
DREAM STREET
– by Tricia Elam Walker (author), Ekua Holmes (Illustrator) – Anne Schwartz Books
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
– by Traci N. Todd (author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator) – G.P. Putnam’s Sons
The Me I Choose To Be Hardcover
– by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (author), Regis and Kahran Bethencourt (artist) – Little Brown and Company
When Langston Dances
– by Kaija Langley (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator) – Denene Milner Books
Soul Food Sunday Hardcover
– Winsome Bingham (author), C. G. Esperanza (Illustrator) – Harry N. Abrams
The People Remember
– by Ibi Zoboi (Author), Loveis Wise (Illustrator)
– Balzer + Bray
Bright Brown Baby
– by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Author), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
– Orchard Books
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre Hardcover
– by Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)
– Carolrhoda
Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes
– by Don Tate (Author and Illustrator)
Remember to Dream, Ebere
– by Cynthia Erivo (Author), Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (Illustrator)
– Little Brown Books
C Is for Country Hardcover
– by Lil Nas X (Author), Theodore Taylor III (Illustrator)
– Random House Books
We Shall Overcome
– by Bryan Collier (Illustrator) – Orchard Books
Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb
– by Veronica Chambers (Author), Rachelle Baker (Illustrator) – Dial
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston
– by Alicia D. Williams (Author), Jacqueline Alcántara (Illustrator)
– Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal (A Sweet Blackberry Book)
– by Karyn Parsons (author) ,R. Gregory Christi (Illustrator)
– Little Brown Books
Support The African American Children's Book Project
Click the button to purchase books of all of the book fair authors and illustrators. Proceed of your purchase supports the activities of The African American Children's Book Project. Our bookseller is the Literary Cafe - Books & Events who specializes in Black children's books - preschool to young adult, hosting and producing literary events.
PRESERVE A LEGACY - BUY A BOOK
THE 32ND ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN
CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR
PARTICIPANTS
Below are the creators of the best children’s books of our generation.
To purchase their books click on our bookstore link.
If you would like to host one of the participants featured below virtually or live-in person please email us at read@theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org 2
Past Participants Black Books Are 2021
PRESERVE A LEGACY BUY A BOOK
JUDY ALLEN DODSON
TRACEY BAPTISTE
WINSOME BINGHAM
PAULA CHASE
TRICIA ELAM WALKER
TONYA ENGEL
C.J. FARLEY
R. GREGORY CHRISTIE
THEANNE GRIFFITH
NIKKI GRIMES
EKUA HOLMES
WADE HUDSON
KAIJA LANGLEY
VARIAN JOHNSON
JANAE MARKS
GREG NERI
JEWELL PARKER RHODES
CHARLES R. SMITH, JR.
NATASHA TARPLEY
DON TATE
TRACI N. TODD
SCHELE WILLIAMS
IBI ZOBOI
ELIZABETH ZUNON
Moderators
SUSAN BROWNE
DR. JACQUELINE DOUGE
DINAH JOHNSON
VANESSE LLOYD-SGAMBATI
KELLY STARLING LYONS
OLUGBEMISOLA RHUDAY-PERKOVICH
CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD
SPONSORS
To learn more about our celebrated sponsors and their activities, click on the logo. If you would like to be a sponsor for our upcoming events contact:
The Literary Media and Publishing Consultants – info@
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The African American Children’s Book Project was created in 1992 to promote and preserve children’s literature written by or about African Americans.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The African American Children’s Book Project was created in 1992 to promote and preserve children’s literature written by or about African Americans.
Support The African American Children's Book Project
Click the button to purchase books from our various programs. Proceed of your purchase supports the activities of The African American Children’s Book Project. Our bookseller is the Literary Cafe – Books & Events who specializes in Black children’s books – preschool to young adult, hosting and producing literary events.
PRESERVE A LEGACY, BUY A BOOK
I read to see me
We don’t just give books away. We carefully curate books that inspire and excite young readers, and titles that are not readily available online or in book stores. Then, we create a memorable experience—the opportunity to meet and hear from the books’ authors and illustrators. These encounters make a lasting impact. We have heard from program participates that if we didn’t host our book programs, many children would never get to meet someone who has written or illustrated a book. This personal experience takes the reading experience to another level.
While our impact is great—and growing—we are a small nonprofit that relies on the support of friends like you to make it happen.
I hope you will consider making a donation today. Your tax-deductible gift in any amount will directly support all the wonderful work we are doing to promote and preserve children’s literature written by or about African Americans. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will truly make a difference.
Check out our website for more information on all of our programs at: theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org or email: read@theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org
With sincere gratitude for your support,
Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
P.S. You can also mail a check payable to the “African American Children’s Book Project” to:
African American Children’s Book Project
1835 Wynnewood Road
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati
Founder, The African American Children’s Book Project
The African American Children’s Book Project (AACBP) has supported the literary needs of children since 1992. The non-profit was created to promote and preserve children’s literature written by or about African Americans. The AACBP believes A BOOK OPENS UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES.
At AACBP, we know that early access to books plays an important role in building lifelong readers. We collaborate with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, educators, consumers, libraries, non-profits and corporations to promote literacy programs across the country.
Our stellar programs include:
- Book fairs
- Book signings
- Workshops
- I Read To See Me program (author/illustrator virtual/in-school visits)
- Educating consumers on trends/resources in youth literature
- Guidance on establishing home libraries
- Advocacy initiatives to promote Black literature around the world
On Saturday February 5 , 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., we will host the 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair — one of the oldest and largest single-day events for diverse children’s books in the country. The featured authors and illustrators have produced some of the best books of our generation that celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in this country.
Parents who attended the book fair as youth now bring their children because they know the power of reading books that reflect their culture and heritage.
During 2020, many parents called the African American Children’s Book Fair “a lifesaver” for their children who turned to home libraries, curated over the years from attending the African American Children’s Book Fair, to get a reprieve from electronics — while still learning. Parents and teachers also reached out to the AACBP for recommendations on age-appropriate books to teach children about race and social justice issues.
Media Highlights
ON OUR RADAR
A BOOK OPENS UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES - PRESERVE A LEGACY AND BUY A BOOK!
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN’S BOOK PROJECT BEST PICTURE BOOKS OF 2021
A Day for Rememberin: Inspired by the True Events of the First
Memorial Day
– Leah Henderson (author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator) – Harry N. Abrams
The Electric Slide and Kai
– by Kelly J. Baptist (author), Darnell Johnson (Illustrator) – Lee and Low
Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History
– by Schele Williams (author), Tonya Engel (Illustrator) – Harry N. Abrams
Alaina and the Great Play
– by Eloise Greenfield (author), Colin Bootman (Illustrator) – Alazar Press
DREAM STREET
– by Tricia Elam Walker (author), Ekua Holmes (Illustrator) – Anne Schwartz Books
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
– by Traci N. Todd (author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator) – G.P. Putnam’s Sons
The Me I Choose To Be Hardcover
– by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (author), Regis and Kahran Bethencourt (artist) – Little Brown and Company
When Langston Dances
– by Kaija Langley (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator) – Denene Milner Books
Soul Food Sunday Hardcover
– Winsome Bingham (author), C. G. Esperanza (Illustrator) – Harry N. Abrams
The People Remember
– by Ibi Zoboi (Author), Loveis Wise (Illustrator)
– Balzer + Bray
Bright Brown Baby
– by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Author), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
– Orchard Books
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre Hardcover
– by Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)
– Carolrhoda
Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes
– by Don Tate (Author and Illustrator)
We Shall Overcome
– by Bryan Collier (Illustrator) – Orchard Books
Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb
– by Veronica Chambers (Author), Rachelle Baker (Illustrator) – Dial
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston
– by Alicia D. Williams (Author), Jacqueline Alcántara (Illustrator)
– Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal (A Sweet Blackberry Book)
– by Karyn Parsons (author) ,R. Gregory Christi (Illustrator)
– Little Brown Books
Let's Talk
(215) 878-2665
Sponsorship
For more information, contact:
The Literary Media & Publishing Consultants
(215) 878-2665
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The Annual African American Children's Book Project. All rights reserved.
The 33rd Annual African American Children’s Book Fair
Pennsylvania Convention Center – February 1, 2025