Stand Up, Speak Out
The CBC looks for a theme to spotlight in each month’s Hot Off the Press list so that we can alert parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and all children’s book enthusiasts to cool new offerings from our member publishers.
Change is often accomplished by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Whatever your brand of activism—be it conservation, equal rights, representation, accessibility, animal welfare, or any other injustice you feel needs to be righted—everyone’s voice is an important and powerful tool. These titles from our January Hot Off the Press list spotlight how the actions of regular people, both real and fictional, can result in enormous, significant change.
The ABCs of Women’s History, by Rio Cortez; illustrated by Lauren Semmer (Workman / Workman Kids) — History, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Biography / Memoir, ages 4-6.
In a beautiful picture book brimming with G for Groundbreaking women, National Book Award nominee Rio Cortez and illustrator Lauren Semmer celebrate all the joys, challenges, and historic forward movement of women’s history in the United States, with a special focus on the Black women, brown women, transwomen, and others who make change happen. This is a book about Artists, Activists and Allies, about Civil Rights and Choice, about Freedom Fighters, Headliners, Labor—and Librarians! It’s about historic moments—Kamala Harris being sworn in as the first African-American and first Asian-American Vice President of the United States; Title IX passing through Congress; Seneca Falls, where the first women’s rights convention was held; the Riot Grrrls movement; and so much more. The ABCs of Women’s History is a story of persistence. It’s a story of pride. And it’s a story of progress. This book celebrates the disruptors, the dreamers, the determined, and the do-it-yourself-ers who continue to inspire the next generation of women to build a brighter, better tomorrow.
Captain America Brave New World—A Hero Looks Like You, by Kwame Mbalia; illustrated by Nikkolas Smith (Disney Publishing / Marvel Press) — Action / Adventure, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Fantasy, ages 4-6.
Set in the world of Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World, A Hero Looks Like You is a heartwarming picture book about a young boy named DJ who steps up to help Captain America, his favorite Super Hero, and discovers along the way that heroes don’t always look big or strong or wear a suit. Sometimes, they might even look like him. From New York Times best-selling author Kwame Mbalia and New York Times best-selling illustrator Nikkolas Smith, this inspiring story shows readers anyone can choose to be a hero.
Carl Walker: The Sound of Justice, by Majeste Phillip; illustrated by Chasity Hampton (Planting People Growing Justice Books) — Biography / Memoir, BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 7-12.
Music is the language of the soul. Carl Walker is a musician, pastor, and the founder of Walker West Music Academy, a music school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Driven by a mission to use music to uplift his community, he has brought the joy of music to thousands of people of all ages for more than 30 years, many of whom have gone on to have great musical careers, playing at the White House and on other national stages. Walker West Academy gives students the musical skills to tell their own stories and provides a space to gather, explore, and grow through music.
Dear Black Boy, written & illustrated by Martellus Bennett (The Quarto Group / Frances Lincoln Children’s Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Social Emotional Learning, Sports / Games / Recreation, ages 4-6.
With dreamlike illustrations that invite children to place themselves in the pages’ scenes, this uplifting picture book reminds kids that the biggest game they’ll ever play is the game of life. Off the courts and pitches, people are rooting for them not as athletes, but as future leaders of the world.
In the book’s rhythmic, reassuring words of wisdom, kids discover that the qualities that make them great athletes – mental toughness, dedication, passion, determination and effort – are the same ones that will drive them forward in life.
Author Martellus Bennett is an NFL legend, but—just like the children he seeks to inspire with this book—he has talents that extend far beyond the playing field. Bennett is an entrepreneur, animator, illustrator, musician, dreamer and loving father. He started creating children’s literature to remedy the lack of black and brown representation in the books available to read to his daughter.
A different kind of coach for black and brown boys, and essential reading for children of every colour, Dear Black Boy empowers kids to see new possibilities and follow their passions. Whenever self-doubt creeps in, they will find strength in its pages.
The world’s more beautiful when the Black Boy dreams.
Indigenous History from 1961–1977—The Civil Rights Era, by E. A. Hale (North Star Editions / Focus Readers) — History, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 7-12.
This informative book provides an overview of Indigenous history in the United States from 1961 to 1977. It covers Native movements for civil rights. This book features authoritative text, fascinating sidebars, a “Voices from the Past” special feature, a table of contents, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers book is at the Navigator level, aligned to reading levels of grades 3–5 and interest levels of grades 4–7.
LGBTQIA+, by William Anthony (North Star Editions / Maple Bay) — LGBTQIA+, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, How-to / Activity, ages 7-12.
This book explores how to be brave when standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community. After a brief overview of the topic, the book pairs notable LGBTQIA+ activists with step-by-step guides for how kids can take action. Short and clear text is woven with plenty of colorful illustrations and photos to make reading engaging and accessible. The book also includes a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins—The First Lady of Children’s Music, by Traci N. Todd; illustrated by Eleanor Davis (Chronicle Books) — Biography / Memoir, Art / Performing Arts, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6.
Once upon a time, children’s music was just Mother Goose, nursery songs, and lullabies. And then came Ella Jenkins.
Ella Jenkins is an American folk singer and living legend dubbed The First Lady of Children’s Music. For nearly 70 years, she has been writing and performing music that has entertained and engaged generations of young listeners. In Make a Pretty Sound, Ella’s life and legacy are captured in vibrant sights, sounds, and stories that leap right off the page.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Chicago, Ella grew up loving music of all kinds—the call-and-response of Cab Calloway, the exciting rhythms of Moroccan and Indian records spun in a local record shop, the bluesy notes her uncle teased from his harmonica. She listened to music from around the world, and no matter what language it was in, she could feel what it meant—the bridge in understanding and feeling that music offers from one heart to another.
When she began working with children, she knew just what to do. She knew music would offer children a kinetic learning experience that engaged them physically, verbally, and empathetically, creating community out of song. Soon, she was recording her own albums and became an international star.
In these beautifully illustrated pages, Ella’s journey—from the gritty streets of Chicago to the classrooms where she found her calling to an opportunity to raise her voice for freedom alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., to the spotlight of the world’s stage—is rhythmically, joyfully, brilliantly illuminated. For readers familiar with Ella Jenkins or new to her work, this nonfiction picture book offers a treasury of inspiration that touches on American history, civil rights, cultural awareness, and the incredible power of music.
Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher, by Ruby Bridges; illustrated by Trudy Tran (Scholastic / Orchard Books) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6.
Once again, you have shown me that you never get too old to learn. Teaching really is the noblest of professions.
When Ruby Bridges was only six years old, she made history by being the first Black child to integrate William Frantz Elementary School. She became best friends with her teacher, Mrs. Henry. Excited to come back for her second year, Ruby is soon devastated to learn that Mrs. Henry isn’t her second-grade teacher. Where did Mrs. Henry go? Can Ruby ever reconnect with her favorite teacher?A love letter to teachers who hold the power to change lives, Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher illuminates the lasting impact that the best of teachers can have on the lives of their students. Trudy Tran’s emotive rendering of Ruby Bridges from childhood to adulthood brings new life to this heartwarming story of a reunion between two long lost best friends.
Safe Crossing, by Kari Percival (Chronicle Books) — Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Science / Nature, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling, Animals, ages 4-6.
How does an amphibian cross the road? With the help of the Amphibian Migration Team! Learn all about a citizen scientist who acts as a crossing guard for migrating amphibians and helps build them a tunnel to safety in this delightful nonfiction picture book!
From Kari Percival, Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning author of How to Say Hello to a Worm, comes an entertaining and informative children’s book perfect for curious, nature-loving young readers.
Every spring, frogs and salamanders must travel from wooded uplands where they were born to vernal pools where they will mate. Unfortunately, roads constructed through their habitats have made the journey dangerous for these slow-moving animals. Many never reach their destinations. But with the help of the Amphibian Migration Team, there is hope for a safe crossing!
Readers will learn so much about amphibians and their habitats and get a great introduction to civic participation, too. The citizen scientist at the heart of this story presents her proposal for a wildlife tunnel to her local City Council and coordinates with stakeholders in the process like a wildlife biologist, a herpetologist, a roadway engineer, a surveyor, the Conservation Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Transportation, contractors, and reporters. It’s a fascinating way to find out how local government works and how kids can actively create social change. Playful and educational, Safe Crossing offers an empowering example of how even the youngest citizens can raise awareness about a meaningful cause, drive change, and unite people locally and globally.
Safe Harbor, by Padma Venkatraman (Penguin Random House / Nancy Paulsen Books) — Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 7-12.
An uplifting novel in verse about an immigrant girl adjusting to life in the US through her love of nature, music, and poetry, by the award-winning author of The Bridge Home
When Geetha and her mom move from India to Rhode Island after her parents’ divorce, they leave everything Geetha loves behind—her family, her friends, her dog, and all that’s familiar. As if that’s not hard enough, Geetha is bullied at her new school for her clothes, her food, and her English (who knew so many English words could be spelled or pronounced differently in the US—or just be altogether different!). She finds some solace in playing her flute and writing poetry, and even more when she meets Miguel, a kid with whom she has a lot in common, and the two of them help rescue an injured harp seal stranded on the beach. But Geetha can feel her anger building over lots of things—careless people who pollute the sea and hurt animals, and her mom for making her move. She’s never been so sad and angry. She can see a lot of her fears mirrored in the injured seal when she visits it at the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center, and this broadens her understanding of survival skills. And when she and Miguel start a beach-clean-up venture, she’s surprised to find how many kind kids are out there. Geetha is torn as the time comes to let the seal go, knowing she’ll miss him, but wanting the best for him. She’s learning to live with mixed feelings and accept that while there will always be rough waters, there are plenty of safe harbors too.
Sharing the Dream, by Shelia P. Moses; illustrated by Keith Mallett (Penguin Random House / Nancy Paulsen Books) — Historical Fiction, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, ages 4-6.
An inspiring portrait of a monumental day in US history, seen through a child’s eyes
Agnes can hardly contain her excitement! She’s headed to the March on Washington. Sitting on her father’s shoulders, she’s awed by the sea of people—people of every color, gathered together to be a part of the fight for equal rights for Black people. She soaks in the words of John Lewis and Josephine Baker and is mesmerized by Mahalia Jackson’s singing. Then Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives a speech about his dreams for his children—for all children. On the bus ride home, Agnes has her own dream: that the words of Dr. King would be heard and embraced by the whole world.
Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Change, by Dr. Tonya Allen; illustrated by Chasity Hampton (Planting People Growing Justice Books) — Biography / Memoir, BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 7-12.
Shirley Chisholm was a shero, a born leader, and a pioneer for women and Black people in America.
She was an educator in her early career and later entered politics, becoming the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination, and the first Black candidate to seek a major party endorsement. In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. Shirley Chisholm was a difference maker who inspired and paved the way for other women, especially Black women, to become difference makers too. Her legacy lives on in the halls of Congress, in classrooms, and in the hearts of those she continues to inspire.
The Story of Fannie Lou Hamer, by Margeaux Weston; illustrated by Simone Douglas (Sourcebooks / Callisto Kids) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 7-12.
Fannie Lou Hamer was a key figure in the fight for civil rights in the United States. Before she became an important voice for equality and justice, she was a little girl who loved to learn and worked hard to help her family survive. Explore how she used her powerful voice to improve her community and encourage others to elect leaders that would treat them fairly.
Independent reading: This Fannie Lou Hamer biography for kids is broken down into short chapters and simple language so young readers 6 to 9 can learn on their own.
Critical thinking: Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Fannie’s life, and find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more.
A lasting legacy: Find out how Fannie fought through racism, poverty, and many other struggles to make history as a representative at the Democratic National Convention.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full January Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident book connoisseur, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight book lists on our blog.
