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
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
THE 30TH 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
ERIC BATTLE
PAULA CHASE
NANCY DEVARD
JUDY ALLEN DODSON
C.J. FARLEY
SUNDEE T. FRAZIER
LEAH HENDERSON
EKUA HOLMES
CHERYL WILLIS HUDSON
WADE HUDSON
GORDON C. JAMES
CHRISTINE KENDALL
KAIJA LANGLEY
E B LEWIS
KELLY STARLING LYONS
KEKLA MAGOON
TORREY MALDONADO
DAVID MILLER
KARYN PARSONS
BAPTISTE PAUL
JASON REYNOLDS
OLUGBEMISOLA RHUDAY-PERKOVICH
NATASHA TARPLEY
ADREA THEODORE
BRITTANY J. THURMAN
TINA WELLS
SCHELE WILLIAMS
IBI ZOBOI
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
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
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.
I read to see me
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
RESOURCES
ON OUR RADAR
The African American Children’s Book Project (AACBP) and The Literary Cafe Books and Events are celebrating Juneteenth by spotlighting the rich history and contributions of Black people in the United States as shown through books.
Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, founder of the AACBP says “Reflecting on Juneteenth, I am reminded that during slavery many states had anti-literacy laws that prevented anyone from teaching a Black person, either enslaved or free, to read and write. The punishment was fines, imprisonment, and in some states whippings. So, as we celebrate Juneteenth, let us honor our ancestors by reading and sharing the many books by Black literary creators that speak of their accomplishments, joy, creativity, genius, ingenuity, creativity, inventiveness, and resilience.”
Both organizations encourage people to support Black bookstores by purchasing and sharing Black books that celebrate Black history. Black literary creators have produced some of the best books of our generation.
The Literary Cafe has prepared an extensive list of books on its on-line bookstore for children preschool to young adult at https://bookshop.org/lists/juneteenth-celebrate-literary-freedom. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the books will support the work of the AACBP.
Preserve A Legacy and BUY A BOOK. Books have power!!!
PROGRAM
I READ TO SEE ME
WELCOME – 11:00-11:10AM
IN FRONT OF KING HALL
THE JOURNEY
Literary creators will discuss their journey of creating diverse books and the importance of ALL children having books that reflect their images.
Lecture Hall 1 – KING HALL
YOUNG ADULT – 11:15-12:00PM
Moderator – TAMARA SHILOH – Bookseller
Multicultural Children’s Book Store – Richmond, CA
- NIKKI BARTHELMESS – Author – Everything Within and In Between
- ASHLEY M. COLEMAN – Author – Good Morning, Love: A Novel
- NAZ KUTUB – Author – The Loophole
PICTURE BOOK – 12:15-1:00PM
Moderator – VANESSE J. LLOYD-SGAMBATI
Founder The African American Children’s Book Project
- ANGELA DALTON – Author – Show The World
- MONICA MANCILLAS – Author – Mariana and Her Familia
- CINDY MONTENEGRO – Author – My Mind Is A Mountain/Mi mente es una montaña
- BENSON SHUM – Author & Illustrator – Anzu the Great Kaiju
MIDDLE GRADE – 1:15-2:00PM
Moderator – Tamika Burgess – Author – Sincerely Sicily
- HENRY LIEN – Author – Peasprout Chen: Battle Of Champions (Book 2)
- ANDREA J. LONEY – Author – Curve & Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams & Blast Off! Abby In Orbit
- AIDA SALAZAR – In The Spirit of A Dream : 13 Stories of American Immigrants of Color
- TAMARA SHILOH – Author – Jaxon’s Magical Adventure With Black Inventors and Scientists
I READ TO SEE ME
The Why, What, and How to find Multicultural Children’s Books
Lecture Hall 2 – King Hall
WHY – 11:30-12:20AM
Moderator – ZEENA PLISKA – Author
Hello, Little One: A Monarch Butterfly Story
- AMINAH BAKEER ABDUL-JABBAAR – -Associate Professor Department of Pan African
Studies, California State University, Los Angeles - PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY – Author – Librarian, La Mesa Dale Elementary School and Member of American Indian Library Association
- JUILY PHUN, PhD – Assistant Professor, Asian – Asian American Studies
- ANITA TIJERINA REVILLA, PhD – Professor & Chair, Department of Chicana(o), Latina(o)
- MIGUEL ZAVALA, PhD – Associate Professor of Urban Learning – California State University, Los Angeles
WHAT – 12:30-1:15PM
Moderator – LETTYCIA TERRONES – Learning & Instruction Services Librarian
California State University LA, University Library
PANELIST
- VIRGINIA LOH-HAGAN – Author – A Is For Asian American: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet
- ANGELA SHANTE’ JOHNSON – Publisher & Author – Sunday Dinner Publishing
- MELANIE ROMERO – Editor – Lil’ Libros and Author – Amor De Colores
HOW – 1:25-2:00PM
VANESSE J. LLOYD-SGAMBATI – Founder
The African American Children’s Book Project and Literary Friends
CAL STATE LA – READING CIRCLE
Co- Hosts
DOMINIQUE DIPRIMA – Morning Drive Host and Senior Producer – KBLA TALK 1580
DONN SWABY – Author – You’re Everything, Everywhere, All The Time
Presenter will make an engaging short presentation.
11:20-11:30AM – MONICA MANCILLAS
11:30-11:40AM – BENSON SHUM
11:40-11:50AM – VIRGINIA LOH-HAGAN
11:50-12:00PM – CINDY MONTENEGRO
12:00-12:10PM – ANDREA J. LONEY
12:10-12:20PM – NAZ KUTUB
12:20-12:30PM – ZEENA PLISKA
12:30-12:40PM – HENRY LIEN
12:40-12:50PM – ASHLEY M. COLEMAN
12:50-1:00PM – NIKKI BARTHELMESS
1:00-1:10PM – TAMARA SHILOH
1:10-1:20PM – ANGELA DALTON
1:20-1:30PM- MELANIE ROMERO
1:30-1:40PM – ANGELA SHANTE’ JOHNSON
1:40-1:50PM – PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY
Let's Talk
(215) 878-2665
Sponsorship
For more information, contact:
The Literary Media & Publishing Consultants
(215) 878-2665
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© copyright 1992
The Annual African American Children's Book Project. All rights reserved.
The 31st Annual African American Children’s Book Fair
Pennsylvania Convention Center – February 2023