Here are the featured books in this year’s Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival.
“Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life,” written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan. Inspired by the actual will of a plantation owner that lists the worth of each and every one of his “workers,” Bryan created collages around that document and others like it.
“A Feast for Joseph,” by OD Bonny and Terry Farish, illustrated by Ken Daley. The story of a young immigrant from Africa adjusting to a new life in Portland, wanting to share food from home with friends.
“Indigo Dreaming,” by Dinah Johnson, illustrated by Anna Cunha. Two girls – one on the coast of South Carolina and one in Africa – dreaming and wondering about distant relatives they might have in each place, and what they’re like.
“Moonflower,” by Kacen Callender, illustrated by Daniel Minter. To escape depression and sadness, Moon travels to the spirit realm each night. When the realm is threatened, it’s up to Moon to save it.
“Stuntboy: In the Meantime,” by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raul the Third. A boy living in a big city apartment building has an unusual superpower – making sure all the other superheroes in his life, including is parents and two best friends, stay safe.
“The Year I Flew Away,” by Marie Arnold. A 10-year-old girl moves from Haiti to Brooklyn to live with relatives she’s never met. When she finds fitting in to be difficult, she makes a deal with a witch to make her speak English perfectly and become “American.”
“When I Get Older: The Story behind ‘Wavin’ Flag’,” by K’Naan, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. This is an auto-biographical picture book, with Somali-Canadian poet, rapper, singer and songwriter K’Naan telling his story.
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