WELCOME TO THE 7TH ANNUAL

Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival logo

2024 Beautiful Blackbird Festival Books

Four panels show covers of African folktale books by Ashley Bryan and text reading "THIS YEAR'S FEATURED BOOK SERIES!" in blue on a white background.

Featured Masterpieces of 2024

The Adventures of Aku, Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum, & The Ox of the Wonderful Horns

Adapted and Illustrated by Ashley Bryan, these three books showcase a diverse collection of folktales and fables from across the African Continent. Brought to life by Bryan’s striking woodcut illustrations, generations of readers have been enchanted by their collective stories, featuring themes of perseverance, fortitude, and the power of friendship.

A Tribute to Ashley Bryan
Black Books Matter with Dr. Krista Aronson

Featured Masterpieces

Discover the Featured
Books from 2024

Book cover of "Beautiful Blackbird" by Ashley Bryan, featuring a black bird with spread wings, colorful rays, and a medal emblem in the bottom right corner.
Beautiful Blackbird
by Ashley Bryan
Explore Beautiful Blackbird
Book cover of "Ellen's Broom" shows a young girl in a pink dress holding a decorated broom, with flowers and grass, and text about discovering a family tradition.
Ellen’s Broom
by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Explore Ellen's Broom
Illustrated cover of "Frizzy" shows a girl with curly hair in a striped hoodie, standing confidently. The background is pink with buildings, and there is a gold award seal on the bottom right.
Frizzy
by Claribel A. Ortega
Illustrated by Rose Bousamra
Explore Frizzy
Book cover showing a thoughtful child in the foreground, with children playing soccer in the background. Text: "my name is Sangoel" and author/illustrator credits.

My Name is Sangoel
by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed
Illustrated by Catherine Stockton

Explore My Name is Sangoel
A child waters a small green plant with a red watering can on the cover of the book "Something, Someday" by Amanda Gorman and Christian Robinson.
Something, Someday
by Amanda Gorman
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Explore Something, Someday
Illustrated cover of "Swim Team" by Johnnie Christmas featuring a young girl adjusting goggles above a swimming pool with the tagline "Small Waves, Big Changes.

Swim Team: A Graphic Novel
Written and Illustrated by Johnnie Christmas

Explore Swim Team
Book cover for "Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum" by Ashley Bryan, featuring three stylized figures playing drums and dancing against a yellow and red background.
Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum
by Ashley Bryan
Explore Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum
Cover of "The Ox of the Wonderful Horns and Other African Folktales" by Ashley Bryan, featuring a stylized illustration of an ox head in yellow, black, and red tones.
The Ox of the Wonderful Horns and Other African Folktales
by Ashley Bryan
Explore The Ox of the Wonderful Horns and Other African Folktales
Illustrated book cover shows two figures, an adult and a child, in traditional attire standing by a tree. The adult uses a mortar and pestle. Title: "The Adventures of Aku" by Ashley Bryan.
The Adventures of Aku
by Ashley Bryan
Explore The Adventures of Aku
Book cover of "When I Wrap My Hair" showing a young girl with closed eyes and folded hands, wearing a purple dress, with colorful, patterned background art.

When I Wrap My Hair
by Shauntay Grant
Illustrated by Jenin Mohammed

Explore When I Wrap My Hair