"Juneteenth means freedom. Juneteenth means equality. Juneteenth means justice."
— Opal Lee
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for freedom and equality. As we honor this significant day, we have curated a list of inspiring picture books and early readers that capture the spirit, history, and cultural significance of Juneteenth. These beautifully illustrated stories are perfect for young readers, offering an engaging way to learn about this pivotal moment in American history and the ongoing journey towards justice and equality.
Freedom’s Gifts: A Juneteenth Story by Valerie Wesley
Free At Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan and Keturah A. Bobo
Juneteenth: A Children’s Story by Opal Lee and Peter Viska
Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation by Pat Sherman and Floyd Cooper
The Story of Juneteenth by Dorena Williamson
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis
A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini
Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy by Van G. Garrett
The History of Juneteenth by Arlisha Norwood
The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Drew Nelson- An early reader that explores the holiday's history, provides a brief overview of American slavery, and highlights current celebrations.
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Our Literary Catalogue
Welcome to the Reshelving Alexandria Community's Literary Catalogue! This is a collection of true, good, and beautiful books that we have curated through a lifetime of reading. This catalogue is comprised of titles both old and new and we hope it will provide a book for every shelf!