EDUCATOR’S TOOLKIT
It is essential that we celebrate Black books and Black children’s book creators in our classrooms, libraries, and homes. Dr. Krista Aronson of the Diverse Bookfinder outlines why in her video Black Books Matter. Below you will find ways to engage with the books in this year’s Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival. We hope these tools find their way into your exploration of African diaspora experience.
ASHLEY BRYAN’S ABCs OF
AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY
Lesson Plans
Ashley Bryan’s ABCs of African American Poetry
Source: TeachingBooks.net
STEAM—for the ARTS—Poetry,
Storytelling, Song, and a Celebration of Our Shared
Humanity: The Creations of Ashley Bryan
Source: Simon & Schuster


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


Dance Activity:
ABC Poem Dance with Veeva Banga
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
JOSEPH’S BIG RIDE
Classroom Resources
Lesson Plan: Joseph’s Big Ride
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Resources: Joseph’s Big Ride
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


Craft Activity:
Creating a Big Ride with Aminata Conteh
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
SO TALL WITHIN: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom
Lesson Plans
So Tall Within
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Sojourner Truth and Equal Rights
Source: Simon & Schuster
So Tall Within
Source: Sojourner Truth Memorial


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


Art Activity:
Painting a Journey of Light and Truth
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
CROWN: Ode to the Fresh Cut
Lesson Plans
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Source: Classroom Bookshelf
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Source: Responsive Reads


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


Art Activity:
Shaping Your Own Crown
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
Classroom Resources
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Source: Disney Hyperion / Educators
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Source: Disney Hyperion / Activity


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
THE RED PENCIL
Classroom Resources
Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil
Source: Classroom Bookshelf
Resources: The Red Pencil
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
YOUR NAME IS A SONG
Classroom Resources
Hearing the Melodies of
Classmates with Your Name is a Song
Source: Classroom Bookshelf
Lesson Plan
Source: Read Across America
Lesson Plan & Family Discussion Guide
Source: The Innovation Press
Name Pronunciation Guide
Source: Anti-Defamation League
Resources: Your Name is a Song
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books


Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


Art & Movement Activity:
Dance Your Name
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
+ Alliance Theatre


Art & Movement Activity:
Sing Your Name
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
+ Alliance Theatre
2020 EDUCATOR’S TOOLKIT
BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD
Lesson Plans
STEAM for the Arts: Poetry, Storytelling, Song, and a
Celebration of Our Shared Humanity: The Creations of Ashley Bryan
Source: Simon & Schuster
Lesson Plan: Story Map
Source: Teaching Books
Lesson Plan & School Wide Celebration
Source: Coretta Scott King Book Award Blog
GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY
Lesson Plans
Cross Curriculum
Source: Peachtree Publishing
Discussion Questions
Source: Peachtree Publishing
Story Map
Source: TeachingBooks
SING A SONG
Classroom Resources
Lesson Plans
Source: Kelly Starling Lyons
Activity Guide
Source: Kelly Starling Lyons
Author Audio Interview
Source: TeachingBooks
WHEREVER I GO
Classroom Resources
Educator Guide
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books
Arts Integration Activity: Everybody Do!
Source: Portland Ovations
MAGNIFICENT HOMESPUN BROWN
LITTLE BIRD’S FLOCK
BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD BOOK COLLECTION
Classroom Resources
Arts Integration Activities
Source: Portland Ovations