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.

JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH

Here are three examples of Black Music: Ragtime, Jazz, Hip Hop.

Stephen Costanza, author, and illustrator

Overview: This book tells the story of how a young man, who grew up with music all around him created a music of his own from the sounds he heard and the beat he felt in his soul. When his premiere song, “The Maple Leaf Rag” was published, it soon took the country by storm and a new form of music was created ~ RAGTIME

Scott Joplin (1868 – 1917) ~ (Issued 6/9/81 – Scott # 2044)

KING OF RAGTIME:
The Story of Scott Joplin

Carole Boston Weatherford, author

Eric Velasquez, illustrator

Overview: An illustrated history of the origins and influences of jazz, from Africa to contemporary America. It tells of the tragic and joyous legacy of the Black American experience that gives jazz its passion and its spirit.

Jazz ~ (Issued: 3/25/11 – Scott #4503

WHEN THE BEAT WAS BORN: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop

Laban Carrick Hill, author

Theodore Taylor III, illustrator

Overview: Tell how Clive, a lover of music and rhythms lover developed into a DJ. It tells of the style of playing records that he developed and his use of words while he was playing music. The book tells how Clive’s DJing inspired break-dancing and rapping. And so, the Hip Hop Culture was born. The author’s Notes contain a Hip Hop Timeline.

HIP HOP DJ ~ (Issued: 7/1/20 – Scott #5483

HIP HOP MC ~ (Issued: 7/1/20 – Scott #5480

June 7th VENUS WILLIAMS Birthday

SEISTER: Venus & Serena Williams

Jeanette Winter, author Ann Bobco, jacket designer

Overview: The story tells of the commitment made by the sisters, with the guidance of their father to learn how to play tennis. It tell how their dedication to hard work paid off for them. The book highlights the bond between the sisters as they rise to be champions in the world of tennis.

HAVE A BALL: Tennis Ball (issued: 6/14/17 – Scott # 5209)

June 19th ~ JUNETEENTH (National Holiday)

ALL DIFFERENT NOW: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom

Angela Johnson, author

E. B. Lewis, illustrator

Overview: In 1865, members of a family start their day as slaves, working in a Texas cotton field, and end it celebrating their freedom on what came to be known as Juneteenth.

EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION (1863) - (Georg Olden was the designer of this stamp was the first African American to design a U.S. stamp.. Issued: 8/16/63 – Scott # 1233)

June 22, 1959 ~ BENJAMIN DAVIS, JR. became the first Black General in the U.S. Air Force. He served with the Tuskegee Airman from 1941 – 1945

YOU CAN FLY: The Tuskegee Airmen
Carole Boston Weatherford, author

Jeffery Boston Weatherford, illustrator

Overview: A book of poems about the events that surrounded the creation of the Tuskegee Airmen. It tells of events during their years of existence. Some of the poems tell of the role played by Benjamin Davis, Jr. in the success of the Tuskegee Airmen.