Picture Books Archives - Zinn Education Project

illustration showing Africans of all ages, genders, and nationalities holding a sign reading "Africa is Not a Country."

Africa is Not a Country, Second Edition (Revised)

Picture book. By Mark Melnicove and Margy Burns Knight, and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. 2022. 48 pages.
Updated to include new information and illustrations, this book counters stereotypes and celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the African continent.

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch

Picture book. By Chris Barton. Illustrated by Don Tate. 2015. 50 pages.
An in-depth look at the Reconstruction period through the life of one of the first African-American congressmen.

Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman’s Race for the Presidency

Picture book. By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Illustrated by Courtney E. Martin. 2008. 32 pages.
Biography of Belva Lockwood who ran for president in 1884.

Before She Was Harriet

Picture book. By Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome. 2017. 32 pages.
An illustrated biography of Harriet Tubman written in verse.

The Bobbin Girl

Picture book. By Emily Arnold McCully. 1996. 36 pages.
Historical fiction for upper elementary based on a true story about the Lowell textile workers.

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore ( Book) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore

Picture book. By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. 2015. 32 pages.
Tells the story of Lewis Michaux Sr.'s Harlem bookstore that was a center of African American history, scholarship, debate, and activism, for grades 2-5.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement

Picture book. By Paula Young Shelton and illustrated by Raul Colon. 2009. 48 pages.
A child’s unique perspective on the Civil Rights Movement by the daughter of Civil Rights activist Andrew Young.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

Picture book. By Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. 2000. 32 pages.
A barnyard struggle where the cows go on strike and the farmer is forced to negotiate.

Clic, Clac, Muu Vacas Escritoras

Picture book. By Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. 2001. 32 pages.
A barnyard struggle where the cows go on strike and the farmer is forced to negotiate.

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom

Picture book. By Tim Tingle. 2008. 40 pages.
A picture book that highlights rarely discussed intersections between Native Americans in the South and African Americans in bondage.

Ellen’s Broom

Picture book. By Kelly Starling Lyons. 2012. 32 pages.
Story about a young girl during Reconstruction whose parents are finally able to have a legal marriage while honoring a family wedding tradition.

Evicted!: The Struggle for the Right to Vote

Picture book. By Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Charly Palmer. 2022. 64 pages.
This critical civil rights book for middle-graders examines the little-known Tennessee's Fayette County Tent City Movement in the late 1950s and reveals what is possible when people unite and fight for the right to vote.

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins

Picture book. By Carole Boston Weatherford. 2007. 32 pages.
Historical fiction in an upper elementary picture book about the Greensboro sit-ins.

Freedom School, Yes!

Picture book. By Amy Littlesugar. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 2001. 40 pages.
Historical fiction about the 1964 Freedom Schools for upper elementary.

Grandpa’s Corner Store

Picture book. By DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan. 2000. 40 pages.
A children's book about the benefits of a neighborhood store versus a big box store and how a community can rally to support a local business.

The Great Migration: Journey to the North

Picture book. By Eloise Greenfield. Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. 2011. 32 pages.
A picture book that introduces the historic story of the Great Migration to young readers.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat

Picture book. Edited by Nikki Giovanni. 2008, with CD. 80 pages.
A celebration of poetry with a beat. Includes CD with selected recordings of poems and historical background.

book cover showing African American school child on stage holding a microphone.

How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee

Picture Book. By Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrated by Frank Morrison. 2023. 40 pages.
The story of eighth grader MacNolia Cox, the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee, and the racism she faced during her journey to compete at the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

I and I: Bob Marley

Picture book. By Tony Medina. Illustrations by Jesse Joshua Watson. 2009. 48 pages.
The life of Bob Marley told through poems and illustrations.

I See the Rhythm

Picture book. By Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood. 2005. 32 pages.
A lyrical voyage through 500 years of African American music, from its roots in Africa to contemporary hip-hop for ages 6+.

John Lewis in the Lead: A Story of the Civil Rights Movement

Picture book. By Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson. Illustrated by Benny Andrews. 2006. 32 pages.
The life of Civil Rights Movement activist and Congressman John Lewis.

Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong

Picture book. By Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta. Illustrated by Andre Sibayan. 2018.
The first nonfiction illustrated Filipino-American history book for children tells the story of labor activist Larry Itliong, who organized farmworkers on the West Coast in the mid-20th century.