The Libri Foundation

Langston Hughes' Birthday (February 1, 1902)

Love to Langston, written by Tony Medina, illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Grades 3-6.

This collection of original free verse honors and highlights different events and periods in the life of African-American poet Langston Hughes.

Visiting Langston, written by Willie Perdomo, illus. by Bryan Collier. Grades 2-4.

In this poetic tribute to Langston Hughes, a young girl visits his Harlem home with her father.

Norman Rockwell's Birthday (February 3, 1894)

Norman Rockwell: Storyteller with a Brush, written by Beverly Gherman. Grades 4-7.

A well-written biography of the popular artist/illustrator and his work.

Charles Lindbergh's Birthday (February 4, 1902)

Charles A. Lindbergh: A Human Hero, written by James Cross Giblin. Grades 4 up.

A meticulous, balanced biography of the great American aviator who very publicly experienced triumph and tragedy.

Babe Ruth's Birthday (February 6, 1895)

The Babe & I, written by David A. Adler, illus. by Terry Widener. Grades 1-2.

In order to help his family survive the hard times of the Depression, a young boy sells newspapers outside Yankee Stadium and meets baseball legend Babe Ruth.

Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth, written by Robert Burleigh, illus. by Mike Wimmer. Grades K-4.

This poetic picture-book biography focuses on the Babe at bat and includes replicas of vintage baseball cards.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday (February 12, 1809)

Commander in Chief: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, written by Albert Marrin. Grades 5 up.

A masterful study of Lincoln as the Union's military leader and his struggle to save his deeply divided country.

Valentine's Day (February 14th)

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, written by Eileen Spinelli, illus. by Paul Yalowitz. Picture Book.

Friendless Mr. Hacker accidentally receives a large box of chocolates on Valentine's Day from a secret friend. The idea that someone cares about him results in a remarkable change to his character and to his life.

Presidents' Day (February 20, 2012)

So You Want to Be President? written by Judith St. George, illus. by David Small. Grades 3-8.

A lighthearted, but ultimately respectful, picture-book look at the 42 men who have served as President. With quips, quotes, comical anecdotes, and memorable images.

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought), written by Kathleen Krull, illus. by Kathryn Hewitt. Grades 3-7.

A humorous, but thoughtful look at each U.S. President, including fun tidbits about their wives and children, favorite foods and pastimes, family pets and their qualifications (or lack thereof) for elected office.

George Washington's Birthday (February 22, 1732)

George Washington and the Founding of a Nation, written by Albert Marrin. Grades 6 up.

A fine biography of Washington, as a youth, a general, a statesman, and the first president of the United States, and the people and events that shaped his world.

Black History Month

Black Hands, White Sails: The Story of African-American Whalers, written by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack. Grades 6-9.

The history of African-American whalers, from the early 1730s through the 1880s.

Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman, written by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger, illus. by Teresa Flavin. Grades K-4.

The inspiring story of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American to earn a pilot's license.

Hurry Freedom: African Americans in Gold Rush California, written by Jerry Stanley. Grades 6-8.

A look at the African-American experience in California during the Gold Rush days in general and Mifflin Gibbs and Peter Lester in particular.

In for Winter, Out for Spring, written by Arnold Adoff and Jerry Pinkney. Picture Book.

A collection of poems celebrating the changing of the seasons and moments shared by a loving, intergenerational African-American family.

John Henry, written by Julius Lester, illus. by Jerry Pinkney. Preschool-Grade 3.

A masterful retelling of the heroic John Henry and his contest against the steam drill.

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illus. by Stephen Alcorn. Grades 4-7.

Biographical sketches of ten noted African-American women who helped further the cause of civil rights. Included are: Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethue, Rosa Parks, Biddy Mason, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Shirley Chisholm.

Purrrrr, written by Pat Cummings. Board Book.

A young African-American boy tries to get his lazy cat to play with him. Bold colors and familiar objects will make this an appealing book for toddlers.

Satchel Paige, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illus. by James E. Ransome. Grades 2-4.

A picture-book biography of the legendary baseball player, whose many accomplishments include being the first African-American to pitch in a major league World Series and the first Negro League player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tell All the Children Our Story: Memories and Mementos of Being Young and Black in America, written by Tonya Bolden. Grades 6 up.

From the first recorded birth of a black child in Jamestown through present day, this compilation of the African-American experience has the feel of a family scrapbook. With photos, excerpts from diaries and memoirs, reproductions, posters, and other primary source material.

Through My Eyes, written by Ruby Bridges. Grades 4-7.

In this illustrated memoir, Ruby Bridges recounts the events of 1960-1961 when she became the first African-American child to integrate the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys, written by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, illus. by E. B. Lewis. Ages 5-7.

In post-Civil War Tennessee, a spirited young African-American girl, with a fierce desire to learn, begs to go to school with her older brothers. Based on the author's own family history.

We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past, written by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by Diane Greenseid. Preschool-Grade 3.

Readers will enjoy meeting Teeka's loving, extended African-American family as they gather to celebrate at their annual picnic in the park.

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illus. by Brian Selznick. Grades K-5.

A child of extraordinary talent, Marian Anderson is denied opportunity after opportunity because of her race. As an adult, she has a triumph tour overseas, only to return home to continued prejudice. This large-sized picture-book biography is a fitting tribute to a woman whose great talent was finally widely recognized at home, with her Lincoln Memorial concert in 1939.

Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art, written by Belinda Rochelle, Editor. Grades 4 up.

A winning selection of 20 poems and 20 paintings by classic and contemporary African-American writers and artists. With an introduction and short notes on each poet and artist.

About the Booklist

The librarian of each library participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the list reflect the very best of children's literature published within the last three years, as well as a selection of classic favorites. Although the complete booklist is for the sole use of libraries participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program, the website features an ever-changing selection of books from current and past booklists.

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