An ABC Book for Everyone
"The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez and illustrated by Lauren Semmer is a colorful alphabet book that is packed with history from A to Z. It begins with the Black National Anthem and mentions movements like the Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights along with figures like Ruby Bridges, Jean -Michel Baquiat, Queen Nandi and Malcolm X. The artwork takes you on a visual journey from one letter to another. This amazing children's alphabet book has so many layers of goodness packed between its covers! I loved the way Black children are represented as well as the diverse set of historical figures that are mentioned that goes beyond the super famous few and challenges you to think about historical figures that don’t get mentioned as often. I got way more than what I expected in a children’s book about Black history. It starts with ABCs and Black History, but it also includes vocabulary, rhyming/poetry, and so many research and field trip opportunities. I will read this with my own little children and I would recommend this in the classroom. Even as an adult who thinks they know a decent amount about Black history, I learned quite a few new things. For elementary kids, you can explore the rhymes, the alphabet, the images and vocabulary along with the history. For older kids, you can push them into an inquiry stance and ask them which historical figures mentioned in the book they would like to learn more about. This is supported by the both the Explore Page in the beginning of the book and the Terms & Figures section in the back of the book that gives additional info on the history that is mentioned with each letter. Thanks to Workman Publishing Company for providing a digital arc."