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Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival

Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival

Supporting professional and emerging artists of African descent

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  • About
    • About The Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
    • Research & Data
    • Partners & Sponsors
    • Acknowledgements
  • Discover Our Books
    • I Am Loved by Nikki Giovanni & Ashley Bryan
    • The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renee Watson & Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
    • Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy & Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
    • Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond & Illustrated by Daniel Minter
    • Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker & Illustrated by April Harrison
    • New Kid by Jerry Craft
    • Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
    • Discover Our Books (2021)
    • Discover Our Books (2020)
  • Educator’s Toolkit
    • Educator’s Toolkit
  • Press
    • In The News
    • Presskit
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Welcome to the

Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival

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.  


I Am Loved

Lesson Plans

Poetry Multi-Leveled Lesson

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Get lessons
I Am Loved – Read Aloud Performance by Atiim Boykin
I Am Loved – Read Aloud Performance by Atiim Boykin
Play

Read Aloud: Performance by Atiim Boykin

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Talk: Nikki Giovanni on the Legacy of Ashley Bryan
Talk: Nikki Giovanni on the Legacy of Ashley Bryan
Play

Talk: Nikki Giovanni on the Legacy of Ashley Bryan

Source: Bates College Museum of Art

Watch Video
Watch Video

Art Activity: Self-Portrait Mirroring Your Strengths

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Resources: Read, Watch, Listen

Source: Ashley Bryan Center

Check It Out
Get Resources

Thank You, Omu!

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan: Thank You, Omu!

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Get lessons
Thank You, Omu! – Read Aloud
Thank You, Omu! – Read Aloud
Play

Read Aloud: Read by Julian Winter

Source: Gotham Reads

Art Activity: Collaging Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Watch Video
Check It Out
Interview: Oge Mora Tells Stories that Celebrate Black joy
Interview: Oge Mora Tells Stories that Celebrate Black joy
Play

Interview: Oge Mora Tella Stories that Celebrate Black Joy

Source: The Recount

Pronunciation: Oge Mora

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Watch Video
Hear Her Name

Black is a Rainbow Color

Lesson Plans

What’s Your Rainbow Color

Source: Angela Joy

Get lessons

Black is a Rainbow Color

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Get lessons

Social Justice

Source: Teaching Humanity

Get lessons
Black is a Rainbow Color – Read Aloud
Black is a Rainbow Color – Read Aloud
Play

Read Aloud: Black Is a Rainbow Color

Source: Macmillan Children’s Books

Playlist: Music to Accompany Black Is a Rainbow Color

Source: Angela Joy/Spotify

Watch Video
Check It Out

Pronunciation: Ekua Holmes

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Hear Her Name

BLUE: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky

Lesson Plans

Blue “After the Visit”

Source: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond

Get lessons

Blue

Source: NEA

Get lessons

Blue

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Get lessons

Art Activity: Paper tapestry of Tones of Blue

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Interview: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond & Daniel Minter

Source: NPR

Check It Out
Listen

Nana Akua Goes to School

Classroom Resources

Lesson Plan: Nana Akua Goes to School

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Get lessons

Lesson Plan: Nana Akua Goes to School

Source: Random House

Get lessons

Discussion Questions: Nana Akua Goes to School

Source: Africa Access

Get lessons
Nana Akua Goes to School – Read Aloud
Nana Akua Goes to School – Read Aloud
Play

Read Aloud: Nana Akua Goes to School

Source: Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

Tricia Elam Walker Award Acceptance – Talk
Tricia Elam Walker Award Acceptance – Talk
Play

Talk: Tricia Elam Walker Award Acceptance

Source: EJK Foundation

Watch Video
Watch Video

THE 1619 PROJECT: Born on the Water

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan: Born on the Water

Source: Penguin Young Readers Group

Get lessons

Lesson Plan: Born on the Water

Source: The 1619 Project

Get lessons

Lesson Plan: Teaching Hard History

Source: Learning for Justice

Get lessons

Interview: Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renée Watson

Source: NPR

Interview with Nikkolas Smith
Interview with Nikkolas Smith
Play

Interview: Nikkolas Smith

Source: Greenlight Bookstore

Listen
Watch Video

New Kid

Classroom Resources

Lesson Plan: New Kid

Source: Harper Collins

Get lessons

Lesson Plan: New Kid

Source: SLJ Classroom Bookshelf

Get lessons

Lesson Plan: New Kid

Source: Coretta Scott King Awards

Get lessons
Jerry Craft Interview
Jerry Craft Interview
Play

Interview: Jerry Craft

Source: Connecticut Public

Jerry Craft Newbury Award Acceptance
Jerry Craft Newbury Award Acceptance
Play

Talk: Jerry Craft Newbury Award Acceptance

Source: ALSC

Watch Video
Watch Video

2021 EDUCATOR’S TOOLKIT

Ashley Bryan’s ABCs of African American Poetry

Lesson Plans

Ashley Bryan’s ABCs of African American Poetry

Source: TeachingBooks.net

Check It Out

STEAM—for the ARTS—Poetry,
Storytelling, Song, and a Celebration of Our Shared
Humanity: The Creations of Ashley Bryan

Source: Simon & Schuster

Check It Out
Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry Community Read Aloud
Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry Community Read Aloud
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

ABC Poem Dance with Veeva Banga
ABC Poem Dance with Veeva Banga
Play

Dance Activity:

ABC Poem Dance with Veeva Banga

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Writing Activity: The ABC’s of Your Poetry

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Resources: Read, Watch, Listen

Source: Ashley Bryan Center


JOSEPH’S BIG RIDE

Classroom Resources

Lesson Plan: Joseph’s Big Ride

Source: TeachingBooks.net

GEt REsources

Resources: Joseph’s Big Ride

Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books

Get Resources
Joseph’s Big Ride Read Aloud & Creator Interview
Joseph’s Big Ride Read Aloud & Creator Interview
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Creating A Big Ride with Aminata Conteh
Creating A Big Ride with Aminata Conteh
Play

Craft Activity:

Creating a Big Ride with Aminata Conteh

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Movement Activity:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Art Activity:

Friendships and Bicycles

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

CHECK IT OUT

Sojourner Truth and Equal Rights

Source: Simon & Schuster

CHECK IT OUT

So Tall Within

Source: Sojourner Truth Memorial

CHECK IT OUT
So Tall Within Read Aloud
So Tall Within Read Aloud
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Painting a Journey of Light and Truth
Painting a Journey of Light and Truth
Play

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

Get Lessons

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

Source: TeachingBooks.net

GEt LEssons

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

Source: Responsive Reads

GEt Lessons
Crown : Read Aloud and Creator Interview
Crown : Read Aloud and Creator Interview
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Craft
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Craft
Play

Art Activity:

Shaping Your Own Crown

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Movement Activity:

A Statue of You

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

GEt Lessons

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Source: Disney Hyperion / Educators

GEt lessons

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Source: Disney Hyperion / Activity

get lessons
Tristan Read Aloud and Creator Interview
Tristan Read Aloud and Creator Interview
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Writing Activity:

Creating Characters

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


THE RED PENCIL

Classroom Resources

Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil

Source: TeachingBooks.net

GEt lessons

Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil

Source: TeachingBooks.net

GEt lessons

Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil

Source: Classroom Bookshelf

GEt lessons

Resources: The Red Pencil

Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books

GEt lessons
The Red Pencil
The Red Pencil
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Writing Activity:

Object Writing: The Poetry of Things

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

GEt lessons

Lesson Plan

Source: Read Across America

GEt lessons

Lesson Plan & Family Discussion Guide

Source: The Innovation Press

GEt lessons

Name Pronunciation Guide

Source: Anti-Defamation League

GEt lessons

Resources: Your Name is a Song

Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books

GEt lessons
Your Name is a Song Read Aloud
Your Name is a Song Read Aloud
Play

Read Aloud:

Performance by the Community

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Your Name is a Song – Dance Activity
Your Name is a Song – Dance Activity
Play

Art & Movement Activity:

Dance Your Name

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

+ Alliance Theatre

Your Name is a Song – Song Activity
Your Name is a Song – Song Activity
Play

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

Download

Lesson Plan: Story Map

Source: Teaching Books

GET LESSONS

Lesson Plan & School Wide Celebration

Source: Coretta Scott King Book Award Blog

CHECK IT OUT

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Dance Activity: Show Claw Slide

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Art Project: Bird Claws & Bird Puppers

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Short Film & ELA Visual Art Guides

Source: Kane Lewis Productions


GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY

Lesson Plans

Cross Curriculum

Source: Peachtree Publishing

Download

Discussion Questions

Source: Peachtree Publishing

Download

Story Map

Source: TeachingBooks

download

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Art Project: Mighty Family Tree

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Arts Integrations Activity: Recipe for Me!

Source: Portland Ovations


AUNTIE LUCE’S TALKING PAINTING

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


OVERGROUND RAILROAD

Classroom Resources

Lesson Plan: Story Map

Source: TeachingBooks

Download

Educator Ideas: Take a Ride Through History

Source: BookPage

Download

Discussion Guide

Source: Holiday House Books

download

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


SING A SONG

Classroom Resources

Lesson Plans

Source: Kelly Starling Lyons

Download

Activity Guide

Source: Kelly Starling Lyons

Download

Author Audio Interview

Source: TeachingBooks

Listen Now

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Video: Celebrate the Legacy of Lift Every Voice & Sing

Source: Kelly Starling Lyons


WHEREVER I GO

Classroom Resources

Educator Guide

Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books

Download

Arts Integration Activity: Everybody Do!

Source: Portland Ovations

Download

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Art Project: Woven Crown

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED

Read Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Video: Introduction to the Graphic Novel

Source: Penguin Random House

Arts Integration Activity:

Source: Portland Ovations


MAGNIFICENT HOMESPUN BROWN

Read Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


LITTLE BIRD’S FLOCK

Creator Read Aloud & Interview:

Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival


BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD BOOK COLLECTION

Classroom Resources

Arts Integration Activities

Source: Portland Ovations

Download

Downloadables

Educator’s Toolkit


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