On Tuesday, September 1, Netflix is releasing a 12 episode series based on children’s books. Hosted by 15-year-old activist, Marley Dias, the series will feature celebrity readers reading children’s books by Black authors. Think: Lupita Nyong’o, Common, and Jill Scott đ The series will bring children’s stories from prolific Black creators centering around themes of identity, respect, justice, and action to the screen. If you haven’t heard of Marley Dias, she is the 15-year-old founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks and author of Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! You can check out the trailer here.
Below you will find a list of the books planned for the series and links to grab a copy of your own. Feel free to share the infographic I created below to bring awareness to these books– even for folks that will not be able to tune in.
Below the infographic, find book summaries and reviews at the provided links.
Are you tuning in on Sept 1?
‘Bookmarks’ Infographic
Book Summaries and Links
Book List
- I Am Enough
- Firebird
- Brown Boy Joy
- Let’s Talk About Race
- Sulwe
- We March
- ABCs For Girls Like Me
- Antiracist Baby
- Pretty Brown Face
- I Am Perfectly Designed
- The Day You Begin
- Crown: An Ode To The Fresh Cut
- I Love My Hair!
I Am Enough
by Grace Byers, Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
I Am Enough is the picture book everyone needs..
This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one anotherâfrom Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo.
This is the perfect gift for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation.
We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.Â
Firebird
by Misty Copeland, Christopher Myers (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl–an every girl–whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl’s faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.
Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, striking illustrations that are some of Caldecott Honoree Christopher Myers’s best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere.Â
Brown Boy Joy
by Thomishia Booker (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
This book is filled with all the things little brown boys love.
Let’s Talk About Race
by Julius Lester, Karen Barbour (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Julius Lester says, “I write because our lives are stories. If enough of those stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details.” Now Mr. Lester shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. Karen Barbour’s dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester’s unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us.
Sulwe
by Lupita Nyongâo, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
From Academy Awardâwinning actress Lupita Nyongâo comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyongâo creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.Â
We March
by Shane W. Evans (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
On August 28, 1963, a remarkable event took place–more than 250,000 people gathered in our nation’s capital to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march began at the Washington Monument and ended with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, advocating racial harmony. Many words have been written about that day, but few so delicate and powerful as those presented here by award-winning author and illustrator Shane W. Evans. When combined with his simple yet compelling illustrations, the thrill of the day is brought to life for even the youngest reader to experience.
ABCs For Girls Like Me
by Melanie Goolsby, Princess Kay (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon
ABC’s for Girls Like Me is a book dedicated to sunshining the achievements of Black Women who are breaking barriers today. The book goes through 26 girls, A to Z, whose accomplishments should motivate and inspire not only black girls but all girls to change the world.
Antiracist Baby
by Melanie Goolsby, Princess Kay (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.
Pretty Brown Face
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Help boil the greens, flip the fish, and slice the pie for a mouth-watering family meal in I Smell Honey, then join the fun as a baby boy discovers the unique features that make his face so special in Pretty Brown Face. In Shake Shake Shake and Watch Me Dance, explore the joys of rhythm and movement. These spirited board books celebrate the loving closeness of an African American family.
I Am Perfectly Designed
by Karamo Brown with Jason “Rachel” Brown, Anoosha Syed (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
I Am Perfectly Designed is an exuberant celebration of loving who you are, exactly as you are, from Karamo Brown, the Culture Expert of Netflix’s hit series Queer Eye. In this empowering ode to modern families, a boy and his father take a joyful walk through the city, discovering all the ways in which they are perfectly designed for each other.
The Day You Begin
by Jacqueline Woodson, Rafeal Lopez (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpre Illustrator Award winner Rafael Lopez have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.
There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
Crown: An Ode To The Fresh Cut
by Derrick Barnes, Gordon C. James (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices.
A fresh cut makes boys fly.
This rhythmic, read-aloud title is a celebration of the way boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair.Â
I Love My Hair!
by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org
No matter how gently Mama pulls as she combs Keyana’s hair, it still hurts. Keyana doesn’t feel lucky to have such a head of hair, but Mama tells her she is because she can wear it any way she chooses.
Summaries courtesy of goodreads.com
Visit our bookshop.org store for the full list.
