Juneteenth Books for Kids
Introducing children to this important holiday through engaging and educational Juneteenth Books for kids is a wonderful way to teach them about freedom, resilience and the rich cultural heritage of African Americans.
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, is a significant day in American history, marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865.
You can find these Juneteenth books at your local library or through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.
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Discover a curated list of Juneteenth books for kids that bring this pivotal moment in history to life with stories of hope, history, and celebration.
What Juneteenth Means
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
It marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
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Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, the end of slavery, and is a day for celebrating African American culture and heritage.
Help you child grow a connection to their community with these 8 Ways Kids Can Build Cultural Identity.
What are Juneteeth Colors
The colors commonly associated with Juneteenth are red, white, and blue.
These colors are found in the Juneteenth flag, which represents the American heritage of the formerly enslaved people who were freed on June 19, 1865.
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Red is also significant in many African cultures and symbolizes resilience and the bloodshed of African ancestors.
These colors are often used in Juneteenth celebrations to honor the historical and cultural significance of the holiday.
Juneteenth Books for Kids
Winner of the 2022 the Black Kid Lit Award for Best Historical title
With colorful illustrations and a timeline, this introductory history of Juneteenth for kids details the evolution of the holiday commemorating the date the enslaved people of Texas first learned of their freedom​.
Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.
With captivating illustrations of 18 quick and easy recipes, follow along with little Alliah and her grandparents as they explore the historical origins of the holiday through food.
Make, share, and enjoy kid-friendly takes on some of the most popular Juneteenth celebration foods.
This true story celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday. Join Opal on her historic journey to recognize and celebrate "freedom for all."
Colorful illustrations show various ways people celebrate the anniversary of freedom for all!
This colorfully illustrated story takes kids on an exciting journey through all the events that led up to the first Juneteenth, the day itself, and the impact it had on the future of the United States.
A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas — birthplace of Juneteenth — through the eyes of a boy coming to understand his place in Black American history in a story from three Texan creators.
Told in Angela Johnson’s signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewis’s striking paintings, All Different Now is a joyous portrait of the dawn breaking on the darkest time in our nation’s history.
Juneteenth is a day to remember the struggles of slavery and to celebrate the freedom of all people. It is a time to come together with family and friends, share stories, music, and food, and honor the contributions of African Americans to our country.
Deeply emotional, evocative free verse by poet and activist Sojourner Kincaid Rolle traces the solemnity and celebration of Juneteenth from its 1865 origins in Galveston, Texas to contemporary observances all over the United States.
This is an ode to the strength of Black Americans and a call to remember and honor a holiday whose importance reverberates far beyond the borders of Texas.
Expert quilter Kim Taylor shares a unique and powerful story of the celebration of the first Juneteenth, from the perspective of a young girl.
Some call it Freedom Day; some call it Emancipation Day; some call it Juneteenth. Learn more about this important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States in this Step 3 History Reader.
Author Kirsti Jewel shares stories from Juneteenth celebrations, both past and present, and chronicles the history that led to the creation of this joyous day. With 80 black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insert.
Juneteenth Activities
For some additional reading ideas, jump into African American Toddler Books, Black History Books for Kids, 20 African American Children Books About Women or Non-Fiction Children Books About African Americans.
And for some educational fun: