CHILDREN'S BOOK CORNER

Here is a selection of books related to the holidays and special days of this month, recommended for your child’s reading pleasure, related stamps are also highlighted.

CINCO DE MAYO ~ May 5th

NUESTRA AMERICA (OUR AMERICA):
30 INSPIRING LATINAS / LATINOS
WHO HAVE SHAPED THE U. S.

Sabrina Vourvoulias, author Gloria Felix, illustrator

Overview: Inspired by the Smithsonian Latino Center the stories of some of the remarkable people that helped to shape America are told. This book contains the biographies of 30 Hispanics. Among the people featured in this book are seven who have been honored on U.S. postage stamps

Cinco De Mayo ~ (Issued 4/27/99 – Scott # 3309)

May 6, 1991 – The Smithsonian Institution approves the creation of the National African American Museum.

DREAM BUILDER: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

Kelly Starling Lyons, author

Laura Freeman, illustrator

Overview: This is a biography of Philip Freelon (1952-2019), whose rich family history and deep understanding of Black culture brought him to the role of head architect for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture.

National Museum of African-American History and Culture, Opened 2016 ~ (Issued: 10/03/17 – Scott # 5251

May 17, 1954 – U.S. Supreme Court declares segregation in public schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education decision.

SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL:

Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation

Duncan Toatiuh, author, and illustrator

Overview: : When the Mendez family moved to Westminster, California they discovered that the schools were segregated. This is the story about their fight for equal schooling for their children.

This book incorporates the information from court files with the interviews of Sylvia Mendez to tell the Mendez family’s fight for justice and equality.

(This landmark case was the precedent for Brown v. Board of Education, which prohibited school segregation nationwide.)

Mendez v. Westminster

(Issued 9/14/07 – Scott # 4201)

MAY BIRTHDAYS

MALCOLM X - May 19th

MALCOLM LITTLE:

The Boy who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X

Ilyasah Shabazz, author

A G Ford, illustrator

Overview: Malcolm Little was a natural born leader. But when confronted with intolerance and a series of tragedies, Malcolm’s optimism and faith were threatened. He had to learn how to be strong and how to hold on to his individuality. Malcolm had to learn self-reliance; the character trait that helped develop the leader he became.

MALCOLM X (1925 – 1965) ~

A leading figure in the 20th century movement for Black Liberation in the United States, and arguably its most enduring symbol. (Issued: 1/20/99 – Scott # 3273)

MILES DAVIS ~ May 25th

LOOKING FOR BIRD IN THE BIG CITY

Robert Burleigh, author

Marek Los, illustrator

Overview: A fictionalized account of the time when, as a teenage music student, trumpeter Miles Davis spent many hours trying to find jazz musician Charlie Parker in New York City.

MILES DEWEY DAVIS III (1926 – 1991) ~ Jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer; widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

(Issued 5/5/12 as a joint issue with France – Scott # 4693)

December 2025

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