Recent & relevant children's books - Buyers Guide

American Visions, Dec-Jan, 1997 by Yolanda Robinson Coles

As a child, reading books always took me to faraway places or allowed me to escape the segregated South. Reading also gave me hope that I could one day be someone of note and merit. Books did not color the world for me; instead, they made the distinction between reality and fantasy crystal clear. With these thoughts in mind, encourage your children and the children you encounter to read. The first step is to give them a book. A person who can read is a more formidable ally in the struggle to preserve mankind's humanity.

Preschool to Age 10

An Angel Just Like Me by Mary Hoffman (Dial. 1997. $14.99)--As the family convenes to decorate the Christmas tree, TJ discovers that their treetop angel is broken. TJ's older brother, Tyler, makes it a point to try to find a black angel who looks just like him to replace the broken one. Will he be able to find one in time for Christmas?

Because You're Lucky by Irene Smalls (Little Brown. 1997. $15.95--When Kevin comes to live with Aunt Laura and her children, her son Jonathan is resentful. He's also puzzled when his mother keeps telling him how lucky he is to have them, but he soon learns that in a true family, you extend a helping hand when it is needed.

Black Misery by Langston Hughes (Oxford Press. 1969. $14.95)--This timeless classic, reissued this year, explores a black perception of what it means to be happy. The illustrations, done completely in black and white, heighten the sense of misery that children sometimes feel.

Creativity by John B. Steptoe (Clarion. 1997. $15.95)--When Hector, a new student from Puerto Rico, arrives in class, Charles is selected to show him around. How will Charles demonstrate his interest in Hector and help him fit in?

The Face at the Window by Regina Hanson (Clarion. 1997. $14.94)--Dora is fooled by her friends into believing that Miss Nella has supernatural powers, which she will use against Dora for trying to steal a mango from her tree. Dora doesn't believe her parents' reassurances until she gets to know Miss Nella.

Freedom's Gift: A Juneteenth Story by Valerie Wilson Wesley (Simon & Schuster. 1997. $16)--It's 1943. While June awaits the arrival of her cousin Lillie and her father from New York, she helps prepare for the annual Juneteenth celebration. When Lillie arrives, June struggles to deal with their different perceptions of what it means to black in America.

The Ghost of Sifty Sifty Sam by Angela Shelf Medearis (Scholastic. 1997. $14.95)--In a haunted house on a hillside in East Texas is a sign posting a reward for anyone who can rid the house of its ghost. Can Dan accomplish what others have failed to do?

The Hired Hand by Robert D. San Souci (Dial. 1997. $15.99)--When a drifter offers to work at Sam's sawmill for free for a year if Sam will teach him the trade, Sam jumps at the chance to get some help. Sam's son is lazy and greedy and takes little pride in the quality of work that he produces, and when Sam goes on an unexpected trip, his son becomes lazier and greedier than ever. What can the hired hand do to teach the son a lesson?

Hoops by Robert Burleigh (Silver Whistle. 1997. $16)--This story captures the pure essence of what it means to play basketball. The illustrations, by Stephen Johnson, finetune the reader's focus and provide a better understanding of the sport.

A House by the River by William Miller (Lee & Low. 1997. $15.95)--Belinda wonders why she and her mother live out by the river instead of in town. As a storm approaches their house, she prays that she will be stranded in town so that she won't have to be bothered with mud and their farm animals. She's also worried that her house is not sturdy enough to weather the storm. Will Belinda and her mother survive the storm, or will they be swept away?

In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (Lee & Low. 1997. $15.95)--Javaka Steptoe has gathered and illustrated several poems that speak to the contributions of fathers--a group often overlooked and maligned. His images transform fathers into daddies, providers, elders and foundations of love.

Kente Colors by Debbi Chocolate (Walker. 1996. $15.95)--There to be are many variations of kente cloth. Each pattern is distinctive and designed with a meaning. Kente is made by the Ashanti and Ewe people of Ghana and Togo. Here, the colors are bold and exciting, making the words all the more unforgettable.

The Meanest Thing to Say by Bill Cosby (Scholastic. 1997. Cloth, $13.95; paper, $4.99)--This book and The Best Way to Play (Scholastic. 1997. Cloth, $13.95; paper, $4.99) are the first in a series featuring a character named Little Bill. They deal with bullies and the importance of imagination. The forewords are written by Dr. Alvin Poussaint. The stories are intended to help young people handle difficult situations, suggesting what they might do if there is no one around to help them.

Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller (Lee & Low. 1997. $15.95)--Gregory Christie's illustrations capture the young Wright and his plight: how to use the public library during a time when blacks were not allowed to even enter the library.