Children’s books can be used to complement almost any classroom lesson whether the subject is language, math, science, social studies, or the arts. Educators can use them for reading aloud or allowing students to choose their own books for presentations or individual reading enjoyment. September is National Literacy Month, and within the month is National Arts in Education Week. The observance of Arts in Education Week always takes place the second week in September. This year the dates are September 10th-16th. The congressional resolution for Arts in Education Week states that:
Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students.
Parents and community leaders can also use the books featured to emphasize arts in literature. The selections include fiction and nonfiction picture, chapter, middle-grade, and young adult books. Happy Reading!
Early Sunday Morning – Denene Millner, Illustrator – Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! – Andrea J. Loney, Illustrator – Keith Mallett
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat – Javaka Steptoe
Kenya’s Art – Linda Trice, Illustrator – Hazel Mitchell
My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey – Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrator – James E. Ransome
Tate Kids Modern Art Activity Book – Sharna Jackson
One More Dino on the Floor – Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrator – Luke Flowers
Curtain Up!: A Book for Young Performers – Dirk Mclean, Illustrator – France Brassard
Willie Jerome – Alice Faye Duncan, Illustrator – Tyrone Geter
AIDA – Leontyne Price, Ilustrators – Leo & Diane Dillon
Ira’s Shakespeare Dream – Glenda Armand, Illustrator – Floyd Cooper
Caribbean Carnival: Songs of the West Indies – Irving Burgie, Illustrator – Frane Lessac
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star – Jerry Pinkney
Music Time – Gwendolyn Hooks, Illustrator – Shirley Ng-Benitez
Clubhouse Mysteries: Stars and Sparks on Stage – Sharon M. Draper
Sassy: The Silver Secret – Sharon M. Draper
Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound – Andrea Davis Pinkney
Sweethearts of Rhythm – Marilyn Nelson
Wake Up Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists – Tonya Bolden
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground – Rita Williams-Garcia, Illustrator – Frank Morrison
Garvey’s Choice – Nikki Grimes
Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina – Michaela DePrince w/Elaine Deprince
The Sweetest Sound – Sherri Winston http://amzn.to/2wTrrDl
The Harlem Renaissance – Veronica Chambers
Another Way to Dance – Martha Southgate
Juba!: A Novel – Walter Dean Myers
The Song Shoots Out of My Mouth: A Celebration of Music – Jamie Adoff, Illustrator – Martin French
Solo – Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess
Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series – Elizabeth Alexander
Your kind donation will support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. Our stories matter. Thank you!
