30 Books to Read During African American Music Appreciation Month
June is African American Music Appreciation Month-a month to celebrate the achievements and contributions to America’s unique musical history by African American musicians. Until fairly recently, representation of Black characters in children's picture books was nothing
short of scarce, so I am excited to be able to share THIRTY different picture books that highlight African American Musicians!
That’s a book a day for the entire month!
We have used several of these books for our Music Library subscription boxes.
Click the (Resources) links to find printables, videos and other helpful information for some of our favorite titles!
Beyoncé: Shine Your Light by Sarah Warren
The story of Beyoncé Knowles highlights the importance of being confident and never backing down from who you really are…and who you are meant to Bey. (See what I did there?!)
Birth of the Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound by Kathleen Cornell Berman
With trumpet in hand, Miles Davis helped to shap an entire subgenera of jazz music. Read about his journey from Arkansas to New York.
Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz by Mara Rockliff
Lillian Armstrong was a jazz pianist, composer, band leader-she did it all! From church to music store to big bands, Lil Hardin was always making music!
By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music by Carole Boston Weatherford
Sprinkled with lyrics from Tindley’s most recognizable hymns, this books highlights the struggles (losing his mother when he was young) and accomplishments (teaching himself to read!) of the man responsible for the song that would become part of the African American National Anthem.
Charlie Parker Played Bebop by Chris Raschka
Full of onomatopoeia, this book introduces us to the unique sound of Charlie Parker.
Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars by Gary Golio
Did you know that there is music on a spacecraft that has journeyed outside of our solar system? Willie Johnson was a blind guitar player who’s music is engraved on a record traveling on the Voyager I which was launched from earth back in 1977!
Dem Bones by Bob Barner
The foot bone’s connected to the leg bone! Did you know this popular children’s song is based on an African American Spiritual? Learn the song (and a little anatomy!) with this brightly illustrated read.
Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite by Anna Harwell Celenza
It took some arm-twisting, but Duke Ellington convinced his band to play ballet music-with a jazzy twist of course. This book from the Once Upon a Masterpiece shares the journey of the jazzed-up version of the classic Tchaikovsky composition from idea to recording session. (Resources)
Follow The Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Wilder
We all know that the Underground Railroad provided Blacks with a secret path to Northern America and Canada but how did people know about it? What were the signs and symbols? “Follow The Drinking Gourd” is a African American Spiritual that had a hidden meaning. The lyrics of this song are interspersed within the text that shares the story of a family trying to make the dangerous trip away from slavery and oppression.
Grandpa Stops a War: A Paul Robeson Story by Susan Robeson
Imagine if your greatest weapon was your singing voice. For vocalist and activist Paul Robeson, it was. The pages of this book recall his travels to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s and how he used his music to spread peace and understanding.
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills:
With a voice like a bird, Florence Mills made her way from Harlem to Broadway, making it a point to share the music of fellow black artists.
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry With a Beat by Nikki Giovanni
When you say poetry, most students run in the opposite direction. But make it hip-hop and you’ll engage your audience every time! Complete with audio CD, this book is a great way to connect the dots from poetry to hip-hop for young readers.
How Jellyroll Martin Invented Jazz by Jonah Winter
So, how did he exactly? In this book we’ll head down to New Orleans, Louisiana, undoubtedly the birthplace of jazz and we’ll be treated to a recipe for jazz and a little history about the musician that helped shape a new genre of music.
Jazz For Lunch by Jarrett Dapier
Speaking of recipes…there’s somethin’ spicy cookin’ in Auntie Nina’s kitchen! Inspired by Jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, Jarret Dapier and Eugenia Mello serve up some rhythmic rhymes and delectable drawings with this fun read-aloud. (Resources)
Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix
You might think it would be hard to turn the story of Jimi Hendrix into an age-appropriate picture book, but there are key moments in Jimi’s childhood that are well worth sharing with young readers. Descriptive, colorful text tell how a young, artistic Jimi Hendrix blended music and color and sound to create some of the most unique music Rock and Roll has to offer.
King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin by Stephen Costanza
Born into a family of musicians, it’s no surprise that Scott Joplin grew up to have the influence on piano music that he did. Even though his father was a talented musician, he encouraged his son to pursue hard, but steady work laying railroads. Scott eventually left home to pursue his musical passion and landed in the place that would become the namesake for his most popular song, “Maple Leaf Rag.”
Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century by Carole Boston Weatherford
Destined to sing the blues, but determined to study opera, Leontyne Price defied racism and followed in the footsteps of her predecessor, Marian Anderson to become the opera star she knew she could be.
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotton by Laura Versa
Elizabeth Cotton was an amazing guitarist. She taught herself to play on her brother’s guitar-without his permission, of course! The only problem was that he was right-handed and Elizabeth was left-handed. So Elizabeth, or Libba as she became known, learned to play the instrument upside-down AND backwards!
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing: A Celebration of the African America National Anthem by James Weldon Johnson
The lyrics of the Black National Anthem are set to unique the unique linocut illustrations of Elizabeth Catlett. The book also includes the original captions Catlett wrote for her linocut prints in the 194f0’s as well as the sheet music for the anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song by Cynthia Grady
I love picture books that include sheet music and Like a Bird shares the music for 13 different slave songs/spirituals. This book is brilliantly illustrated and even includes a short description of the history behind each song.
Mister and Lady Day: Billie Holiday and the Dog Who Loved Her by Amy Novesky
Billid Holiday loved music and her pups! She spoiled and pampered them all but she may have had a favorite.
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd
Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, didn’t start off as an activist nor a jazz pianist. Classically trained and uninterested in stirring the pot, Nina’s music, such as the song Young, Gifted and Black, became a part of the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement. (Resources)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford
R-E-S-P-E-C-T and B-L-E-S-S-E-D and S-T-R-I-F-E are among the words spelled out on the pages of this recollection of Aretha’s humble beginning as a church musician to her coronation as the Queen of Soul.
Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons
Passed on from generation to generation, Lift Every Voice and Sing, the African American National Anthem has provided inspiration and strength for families time and time again. (Resources)
Song in a Rainstorm: The Story of Musical Prodigy Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins by Glenda Armand
Born into slavery in the 1840’s, Tom Wiggins showed how he was more than a “useless burden” when be began playing the piano and composing music.
Stevie Wonder: Little People, Big Dreams
Like many young musicians, Stevie Wonder started his musical career in his mother’s kitchen, banging on her pots and pans. His musical talents quickly became obvious as he picked up instrument after instrument.
The 5 O’Clock Band by Trombone Shorty
Where Ya At?! The streets of New Orleans-Tremé-to be exact! And the musicians of The 5' O’Clock band are playing in the streets again, but where is their leader and does he have what it takes to guide the after-school band? (Resources)
The Roots of Rap by Carole Boston Weatherford
Rap isn’t just about the music, it’s about a vibe. From the clothes to the graffiti to the breakdancing, this book explores how all of these individual arts are connected while introducing children to some pretty big names in hip-hop history.
We Shall Overcome: The Story of A Song by Debbie Levy
This song became popular during the Civil Rights Movement. Based on the gospel hymn, I’ll Overcome Someday, it has been sung by people seeking equality and justice for generations.
When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Before there was the MLK speech of the March on Washington, there was the Marian Anderson concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Anderson, a classically trained opera singer who traveled and studied in Europe, used her voice to inspire others long before the Civil Rights Movement.
What books would you add to the list? Leave your suggestion in the comments below and
we’ll see if we can get enough recommendations to be able to read TWO books a day next year!