2025 Black Children's Book Week - Non-fiction | Contra Costa County Library

The Birth of Black Excellence

by Oso, Maisha

Book - 2024

Told through verse, an empowering portrait that expounds on the lives of individuals thriving in Africa "before the ships." Told through verse, an empowering portrait that expounds on the lives of individuals thriving in Africa "before the ships." Show less

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Go Forth and Tell

The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller

by McDaniel, Breanna J

Book - 2024

After noticing few books featuring Black people in respectful, empowering ways, librarian Augusta Baker becomes a champion of books, writers, illustrators, librarians, and teachers centering on black stories and inspiring future acclaimed authors. After noticing few books featuring Black people in respectful, empowering ways, librarian Augusta Baker becomes a champion of books, writers, illustrators, librarians, and teachers centering on black stories and inspiring future acclaimed authors. Show less

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Ablaze With Color

A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

by Harvey, Jeanne Walker

Book - 2022

The story of pioneering African-American painter Alma Thomas, whose distinctly colorful work continues to draw admiration and praise. The story of pioneering African-American painter Alma Thomas, whose distinctly colorful work continues to draw admiration and praise. Show less

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We Could Fly

by Giddens, Rhiannon

eBook - 2023

A Black mother and daughter draw on the resilience of their ancestors to process their own generational trauma of slavery. Told in musical conversation--the text comes from the author's song of the same name. A Black mother and daughter draw on the resilience of their ancestors to process their own generational trauma of slavery. Told in musical conversation--the text comes from the author's song of the same name. Show less

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Charlotte and the Nutcracker

A Magical Christmas Story

by Nebres, Charlotte

Downloadable Audiobook - 2021

A true story about the first Black dancer to be cast as Marie in the New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. A true story about the first Black dancer to be cast as Marie in the New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. Show less

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Born on the Water

by Hannah-Jones, Nikole

Picture Book - 2021

Stymied by her unfinished family tree assignment for school, a young girl seeks Grandma's counsel and learns about her ancestors, the consequences of slavery, and the history of Black resistance in the United States. Stymied by her unfinished family tree assignment for school, a young girl seeks Grandma's counsel and learns about her ancestors, the consequences of slavery, and the history of Black resistance in the United States. Show less

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A Library

by Giovanni, Nikki

Picture Book - 2022

World-renown poet Nikki Giovanni pens a ode to the magic of a library as not only a place for knowledge but also for escape, imagination, and exploration. World-renown poet Nikki Giovanni pens a ode to the magic of a library as not only a place for knowledge but also for escape, imagination, and exploration. Show less

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How Do You Spell Unfair?

MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee

by Weatherford, Carole Boston

eBook - 2023

A champion speller from Akron, OH, perseveres despite obstacles in her path to become the first African American top five finalist in the National Spelling Bee. A champion speller from Akron, OH, perseveres despite obstacles in her path to become the first African American top five finalist in the National Spelling Bee. Show less

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Thirteen Ways of Looking at A Black Boy

by Medina, Tony

Book - 2018

A fresh perspective of young men of color depicting thirteen views of everyday life. A fresh perspective of young men of color depicting thirteen views of everyday life. Show less

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A Year of Black Joy

52 Black Voices Share Their Life Passions

by Wilson, Jamia

eBook - 2023

A celebration of Black life with contributions from 52 visionaries, creators, and changemakers. A celebration of Black life with contributions from 52 visionaries, creators, and changemakers. Show less

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Young, Gifted and Black

Meet 52 Black Heroes From Past and Present

by Wilson, Jamia

Downloadable Audiobook - 2024

This book brings together 52 iconic talents from countries around the world from the past and present and celebrates their inspirational achievements. This book brings together 52 iconic talents from countries around the world from the past and present and celebrates their inspirational achievements. Show less

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Just Jerry

How Drawing Shaped My Life : A Memoir

by Pinkney, Jerry

Book - 2023

Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Medal winner and illustrator of over one hundred books, tells the story of his childhood and how he developed his artistic talent. Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Medal winner and illustrator of over one hundred books, tells the story of his childhood and how he developed his artistic talent. Show less

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Gordon Parks

How the Photographer Captured Black and White America

by Weatherford, Carole Boston

Book - 2023

Tells how with a single photograph a self-taught African American photographer captured the attention of America. Includes a brief biography of African American photographer, writer, and director, Gordon Parks. Tells how with a single photograph a self-taught African American photographer captured the attention of America. Includes a brief biography of African American photographer, writer, and director, Gordon Parks. Show less

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2025 Black Children's Book Week - Non-fiction

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