Recommended Read Aloud Booklist for February Compiled by Jan Powell Curriculum Coordinator Literacy Programs Screen Actors Guild Foundation
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Recommended Read Aloud Booklist for February Compiled by Jan Powell Curriculum Coordinator Literacy Programs Screen Actors Guild Foundation The month of February has many special events for choosing books to read to students. Here are some sample ideas for February read-alouds. In many cases the authors chosen have additional titles. Special Events: Black History Month, Underground Railroad, Valentine’s Day Black History Month Black History Month began in 1926 as "Negro History Week." It began as the brainchild of historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson after he found that his university studies of American history included almost no information about the African American community or their achievements throughout American history. Today, schoolchildren across the United States observe Black History Month every February to learn about and celebrate the contributions by African Americans to the nation's history. 28 Days of Poetry Celebrating Black History by Latorial Faison (1st-6th) This is a collection of poems celebrating the history and legacy of African- Americans. The book reflects on slavery and the civil rights movement and paints poetic pictures of the south during a time when America was a divided nation. Young readers will enjoy biographical poems that tell the history of black inventors and other civil rights leaders in history. The ABCs of Black History: A Children’s Guide by Craig Thompson (PreK-4th) This book by Baltimore-based, black attorney Craig Thompson celebrates 26 notable greats, past and present, like Booker T. Washington, Fannie Lou Hamer, Malcolm X, and Oprah Winfrey. A short and catchy rhyme accompanies each color- rich illustration of the historic figure. The ABCs recognizes lesser-known individuals who made their mark in our society, like Garret Morgan, inventor of the traffic light, and Lee Elder, the first black golfer invited to play in the Masters Tournament. George Washington Carver George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden (3rd-6th) Shampoo from peanuts? Wallpaper from clay? Ink from sweet potatoes? Discover Carver’s imagination and inspiration in this one-of-a-kind biography. With imagination and intellect, George Washington Carver (1864–1934) developed hundreds of unexpected products from everyday plants. This book reveals what an exceptionally uncommon man Carver was: trailblazing scholar, innovative scientist, pioneering conservationist, and impassioned educator. George Washington Carver: The Peanut Wizard by Laura Driscoll and Jill Weber (K-3rd) George Washington Carver was born into slavery, but his dedication and unquenchable thirst for knowledge drove him to become a professor at a time when most institutions of higher learning were closed to blacks. This book explores Carver's brilliant career and discoveries, as well as his triumph over segregation to become one of the world's most renowned plant experts. In the Garden with Dr. Carver by Susan Grigsby and Nicole Tadgell (2nd-4th) Sally is a young girl living in rural Alabama in the early 1900s, a time when people were struggling to grow food in soil that had been depleted by years of cotton production. One day, Dr. George Washington Carver shows up to help the grownups with their farms and the children with their school garden. The Groundbreaking, Chance-Taking Life of George Washington Carver and Science and Invention in America by Cheryl Harness (3rd-6th) The inspiring story of a man who rose from slavery to worldwide fame as America’s Plant Doctor is presented. A Man for All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver by Stephen Krensky and Wil Clay (2nd-4th) This book profiles the African American scientist George Washington Carver, who not only put the peanut on the map, but was also one of the first advocates of recycling. The Little Plant Doctor: A Story About George Washington Carver by Jean Marzollo and Ken Wilson-Max (K-3rd) If a flower drooped, George asked, "What’s the matter? Too much sun? Too little sun?" He moved some plants from sun to shade and others from shade to sun. Nicknamed the Little Plant Doctor, George would try to find a remedy. Frederick Douglass Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Freedman (4th-6th) This is an account of two surprisingly parallel lives and how they intersected at a critical moment in U.S. history. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were both self-taught, both great readers and believers in the importance of literacy, both men born poor who by their own efforts reached positions of power and prominence. Though their meetings were few and brief, their exchange of ideas helped to end the Civil War, reunite the nation, and abolish slavery. Frederick Douglass for Kids: His Life and Times by Nancy I. Sanders (4th- 6th) Few Americans have had as much impact on this nation as Frederick Douglass. Born on a plantation, he later escaped slavery and helped others to freedom via the Underground Railroad. In time he became a bestselling author, an outspoken newspaper editor, a brilliant orator, a tireless abolitionist, and a brave civil rights leader. He was famous on both sides of the Atlantic in years leading up to the Civil War, and when war broke out, Abraham Lincoln invited him to the White House for counsel and advice. President Barack Obama Barack Obama: United States President by Ken Call (1st-4th) On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama made history with his election as the first African-American President of the United States. This book shares information about the 44th president. A President from Hawaii by Joanna Carolan, Dr. Terry Carolan and Elizabeth Zunon (2nd-5th) A celebration of President Obama's ties to Hawaii highlights the state's cultural traditions and includes photos from Barack Obama's childhood. Meet President Barack Obama by Laine Falk (PreK-2nd) This book is about Barack Obama as a young boy living in Hawaii, his move to Indonesia, his education, and his journey to becoming the first African-American President of the United States. Barack Obama by Stephen Krensky (4th-7th) From his early life in Hawaii and Indonesia, to his work as a community organizer in Chicago, to his first months in the Oval Office, Barack Obama tells the story of the 44th president of the United States. Yes, We Can! A Salute to Children from President Obama’s Victory Speech by Barack Obama (PreK-3rd) This picture book is a salute to children featuring excerpts from President Obama's Victory Speech. Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama and Loren Long (2nd-6th) In this letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation. From the artistry of Georgia O'Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America's children. This book celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans, from our nation's founders to generations to come. It is about the potential within each of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths. TIME for Kids President Obama: A Day in the Life of American’s Leader by Sarah Parvis (4th-6th) How does the busiest man on earth spend his time? Whether he's huddling with top advisers in the Oval Office, zipping around the globe on Air Force One, or enjoying a little downtime with his family, President Obama leads a fascinating life. First Lady Michelle Obama Michelle Obama: Mom-in-Chief by Roberta Edwards and Ken Call (1st-3rd) Learn all about America’s First Lady! Michelle Obama never considered a life in politics and now she is our new First Lady. This book charts Michelle Obama’s life from her childhood in Chicago, her years at Princeton and Harvard Law, and her historic journey to the White House. American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America by Michelle Obama (1st-6th) In April 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama planted a kitchen garden on the White House’s South Lawn. As fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs sprouted from the ground, this White House Kitchen Garden inspired a new conversation all across the country about the food we feed our families and the impact it has on the health and well-being of our children. Underground Railroad Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by James Ransome (K-3rd) This is the story of a young slave who works as a seamstress. Before she escapes to the North she stitches a quilt with a patchwork map of the area and leaves it behind to guide others to freedom. If You Traveled on the Underground Road by Ellen Levine and Larry Johnson (K–3rd) This book is a well-written, clear presentation of valuable information about the Underground Railroad. Henry’s Freedom Box: a True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson (K-4th) This book retells the story of Henry "Box" Brown's daring escape from slavery. It was inspired by an actual 1830s lithograph. Caldecott Honor Book Award Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Nancy Harrison (K-3rd) The story of what one slave from Maryland was able to do. She began as the property of others but traveled North to freedom and helped many others to safety. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad by Faith Ringgold (1st-4th) Author and artist Faith Ringgold blends fantasy and historical facts to present a clever book about Harriet Tubman and the stars which guild a path to freedom.