Gingerbread Days

By: Joyce Carol Thomas

Genre: Poetry

Age Range: 3rd - 5th. There are varying rhyme schemes which can help kids new to poetry recognize that poetry is different. The styles vary but are not too difficult to follow.

Plot: This book of African-American poetry has a poem for each month of the year. Each poem reflects traditions or activities that are associated with the month.

Setting: 1960's/70's

illustrations: By Floyd Cooper.  A full page illustration accompanies each poem using colors often associated with that month or celebration. Painting.

Equity Issues: No gender-bias or stereotypes.

Deep Blues: Bill Traylor, Self-taught artist

By: Mary E. Lyons

Genre: Biography Nonfiction

Age Range: 3rd-6th. An easy read for fluent readers but not challenging enough for older readers.

Content: The story of Bill Traylor, a former slave with no formal art training. Contains photos of him, his work, and some depicting what life was like back then. The end of the book contains an index and a sources list for those who would like to learn more.

Organization: It begins with Bill's childhood going to the time he passed all throughout showing various painting and drawings that are related to those events.

Ilusstrations: Bill Traylor's works of art, photos of himself, and various photos showing what life was like. Photo credit given in captions.

Bill Pickett: Rodeo-Ridin' Cowboy

By: Andrea D. Pinkney

Genre: Biography Nonfiction

Age Range: 2nd - 4th. Easy read with clear text. Little writing on each page.

Content: The story of Bill Pickett and how he became famous for "bull-dogging". At the back of the book more information about black cowboys is given. A list of books relating to cowboys and Bill Pickett is also given.

Organization: Starts from Bill's childhood and ends with his elder years. It tells of how he began bull-dogging, his family, and how famous he became because of his fearlessness.

Illustrations by: Brian Pinkney. Drawing Materials.