BONUS PICK: "Always With You, Always With Me" by Kelly Rowland and Jessica McKay, illustrated by Fanny Liem"

Follow Mommy and Child throughout the days of the week, picking up on magic traces of one another as they stay connected no matter where they are. 

Listen to a live read-aloud from co-author Kelly Rowland HERE.

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Check out these STEM-inspired children's books featuring Black characters to encourage your reader to dream big this summer! These are also great reads for nurturing a passion for learning before the first day of school in the fall. 

"Cookie & Milk: A Scientifically Stunt-tastic Sisterhood" by Michele McAvoy, illustrated by Jessica Gibson
Cookie and Milk are opposites: Cookie enjoys math and science subjects while Milk would rather play sports. Yet, the two best friends are able to bring the best out of each other despite their differences. Through their relationship, McAvoy touches upon the themes of diversity, STEM, and friendship. Watch this read-along from McAvoy!

"Abby Invents Unbreakable Crayons" by Dr. Arlyne Simon, illustrated by Diana Necsulescu
Learn about scientific processes, research, and inventions with Abby as she tries to invent the world's first unbreakable crayons. This is a great story that encourages readers to become problem-solvers. Read-along with Dr. Simon here.

"Indigo Blume and the Garden City" by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by JahSun
Nine-year-old Indigo joins a "Go Green" contest in hopes of building a rooftop garden. Although her friends doubt her idea, she manages to grow a garden and help clean up the community. Indigo's story centers around environmentalism and community building, both great themes to discuss with young readers! Watch this Indigo Blume read-along.

"Mae Among the Stars" by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington
​Inspired by the first African American Woman who space traveled, Mae Jemison, Mae Among the Stars tells readers that every dream is worth having and believing in as long as you work hard to achieve it. Check out this Mae Among the Stars read-along.

​"Look Up With Me: Neil deGrasse Tyson - A Life Among the Stars" by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Lorraine Nam
Continuing off the theme of space, Berne shares the story of Neil deGrasse Tyson. Before becoming a famous astrophysicist, young Neil had a curiosity for the world beyond the city lights. Learn about Neil's interest in science and the universe with this Look Up With Me read-along.

"Jabari Tries" by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari wants to create a flying machine that soars across his backyard. However, he realizes that invention isn't as easy as he thought it would be. With a little bit of encouragement from his father and his sister, Jabari learns that persistence is all you need to make your dreams a reality. Watch this Jabari Tries read-along.

"Baby Loves Gravity!" by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan
Why does food fall when Baby drops it? Spiro introduces the idea of gravity to even the youngest of readers in Baby Loves Gravity! See a read-along for Baby Loves Gravity.

,"The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
William Kamkwamba's village is suffering from a drought, and everyone is struggling to get by. Without any water or surviving crops, how can the community come together? Follow William as he learns how to build a windmill out of scraps and harness the wind to generate energy for his village. Watch The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind read-along.

"How to Code a Sandcastle" by Josh Funk, illustrated by Sara Palacios
Pearl and Pascal want to make the perfect sandcastle, but they keep getting interrupted! Pearl learns how to break down the problem step by step using coding concepts such as sequences and loops. This book introduces readers to the fun of coding. Here is a How to Code a Sandcastle read-along video.

"Doc Like Daddy" by Dr. Crystal Bowe, illustrated by Jajaf Thompson
Dr. Bowe shows readers how parents can serve as powerful role models. This story inspires children that they can be whatever they want to be! Watch this Doc Like Daddy read-along!

Spring has arrived! Don't miss this go-to list of spring-inspired children's books by Black authors. Dream big, explore the outdoors, discover new adventures, and so much more.

"Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
"Sulwe" tops our list due to its incredible reviews by charmed families -- and who couldn’t love a well-crafted storybook by the uber-talented Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o? Featuring stunning illustrations by Vashti Harrison, Sulwe has won multiple prestigious awards due to its message: “love the skin [you] are in and see the beauty that radiates within.” Listen to this free Sulwe read aloud, narrated by none other than Lupita Nyong’o herself.

"Where’s Rodney?" by Carmen Bogan, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Rodney daydreams all day about the small park between his home and school. Where is Rodney? He may be at home or school, but his mind imaginatively wanders outside, where he loves being the most. As if by magic, Rodney is transformed when he finally encounters a huge park -- a great, big park where he can peacefully be. Check out this wonderful "Where’s Rodney?" read aloud on YouTube.

"Tasha’s Voice" by Carmen Bogan, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
From the author-illustrator duo who created "Where’s Rodney?," the not-yet-released storybook "Tasha’s Voice" takes place at the same beautiful park. Tasha finds it difficult to speak at school, but does she find her voice once she discovers her love of the great outdoors? Pre-order Tasha’s Voice now from AALBC, whose mission is to “sell books by or about people of African Descent.”

"Water, Water" by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Eloise Greenfield is an award-winning poet with a mission to write in "Water, Water" about all the delightful experiences kids can have when they discover and play with water -- whether this be indoor sinks or outdoor puddles and pools. This quietly philosophical book will encourage young children to appreciate and creatively think about water in new ways by following the journey of a playful child.

"Ty’s Travels" (series) by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Nina Mata
"Ty’s Travels" follows an imaginative, energetic young boy named Ty who uses his creativity and love of nature to explore the great outdoors and make new friends along the way. Ty’s unapologetic playfulness will encourage young readers to follow his fun journeys and learn how to use the power of their imaginations. Check out all the books in the series: "All Aboard!," "Zip Zoom," and "Beach Day."

"She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story" by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Don Tate
This nonfiction book follows Effa Manley (1897 - 1981), the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for her executive work. Effa Manley spent her childhood watching the legendary Babe Ruth play in the Yankee Stadium -- and her adulthood breaking barriers by being the owner of the Newark Eagles. This book shows all girls and boys that they can and should shoot (or swing!) for the stars. Check out this awesome read aloud on YouTube.

"Your Name is a Song" by Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
"Your Name is a Song" follows a little girl who is upset that everyone continues to mispronounce her name. On a walk back home, the girl’s mother teaches the girl that her name is beautiful -- and that names from all cultures are beautiful and lyrical. Will the girl be able to use this new information to teach classmates, teachers, and friends to start pronouncing her name properly? Watch this free read aloud.

"Max and the Tag-Along Moon" written & illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Max’s grandfather promises young Max that they both see the same moon at night -- and that the moon will follow Max all the way home. Max worries once clouds roll through the sky to cover up the moon, but learns something about his grandfather along the way. Watch this read aloud on YouTube.

"The Other Side" by Jacqueline Woods illustrated by E.B. Lewis
With beautiful, fluid watercolor illustrations by E.B. Lewis, "The Other Side" tells the story of two young girls: Clover, who lives in the Black side of town, and Anna, who lives in the white side of town. Despite Clover’s mom warning her of the dangers of crossing the fence, will Clover find a way to develop a friendship with Anna? Watch the read aloud here.

"Bird" by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Shadra Strickland
Mekhai, called Bird by his late grandfather, uses drawing to create freedom and security as he copes with his grandfather’s death and brother’s addiction. "Bird" is the recipient of multiple awards and deserves to be read this spring due to its discussion on new beginnings. Check out the read aloud here.

We’ve curated a list of eight of the best wintertime storybooks to read with your children this year. Some are classics and some are brand-new. Take a look and leave a comment with a book that you would add to the list!

"The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats
A children’s wintertime classic and the recipient of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, "The Snowy Day" has been read and loved by millions of children for decades. "The Snowy Day" beautifully captures the sense of excitement and whimsy children experience playing in the snow.

Take three minutes to enjoy this free read aloud with your children by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.

 "The Nutcracker in Harlem" by T. E. McMorrow - Educational
A young Black girl in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance (1910s through mid-1930s) learns to sing and dance thanks to her newly-found magical nutcracker toy. This beautiful wintertime storybook immerses readers into the joy of the winter holiday season. The Nutcracker in Harlem won the Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Book of the Year award and is illustrated by the Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist James Ransome.

Watch a free read aloud on Youtube - click here.

"Snowflakes" by Cerrie Burnell & Laura Ellen Anderson
Mia, the young protagonist, leaves the big city to go to live with her grandmother in a hidden, snow-covered forest village. She struggles with her new life, having to adapt to a new climate and rural, farming way-of-life. Mia questions why everything is different, including why the other children’s skin color is lighter than hers. The beautiful moral of "Snowflakes" is: “Every snowflake is different, every snowflake is perfect.”

Watch a free read aloud on Youtube - click here.

"Amadi’s Snowman" by Katia Novet Saint Lot
A young Nigerian boy named Amadi escapes his mother’s daily reading lessons to run off to the market. But something unusual captures Amadi’s attention: he is stunned when he catches a popular older boy secretly reading. Amadi’s curiosity piques when he notices a strange new storybook about a fluffy white being with a carrot-nose, and this leads him to realize that reading can open up vast new corners of the world - including snow, which he’s never seen. Plus, here are free Amadi’s Snowman educational activities.

"Molly, by Golly!" by Dianne Ochiltree - Educational
"Molly, by Golly!" Is an intense legend about how the first female firefighter, a courageous Black woman named Molly Williams, fights a raging fire during a dangerous blizzard storm. Molly bravely takes charge despite the rest of the all-male firefighting team being ill with the flu. Author Dianne Ochiltree consulted historic records and firefighting experts to retell the story of the legendary Molly in the early 1800s.

Watch a free read aloud on Youtube - click here.

"The First Day of Winter" by Denise Fleming
Featuring whimsical watercolor paintings by the author herself, "The First Day of Winter" follows a young boy who bestows gifts to a magical snowman over the first ten days of winter. Discuss literary concepts with your children when you read with this free "The First Day of Winter" educational toolkit from the State Library of Ohio - click here.

Watch a free read-aloud on Youtube - click here.

"Cold and Hot" by Jacqueline Sweeney
A young Black boy experiences the two temperature extremes - very cold and very hot - within the same wintry day from his parents piling on several layers of clothing after he goes to play in the snow. Perfect for ages 3 to 6 years old. (Plus, check out this free parents’ and teachers’ guide here).

"Malaika’s Winter Carnival" by Nadia L. Hohn
In the second book in the Malaika series, a young Black girl named Malaika finally joins her mother in a new country. Here, she experiences her first snow while she acclimates to her entirely new world: she must learn to get used to the new chilly climate and her new school, family, and friends. Follow Malaika’s journey as she visits her first magical winter carnival! Beautiful mixed-media illustrations by Irene Luxbacher. For more information, visit the author’s website.

Watch a free read aloud on Youtube - click here.

What books would you add to this list? Leave a comment below!

You may also like:

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This weekend Read to Succeed will accept an award as the 2014 ACSF "Grassroots Partner Champion." All of us who contribute to R2S with time, money and/or talent are thrilled with this recognition. Thank you, everyone!

As I thought about the upcoming event I realized how often people ask me about R2S and what drew me to the organization.

The answer is easy: I was a newcomer to Asheville, recently retired, and looking for a way to connect with the community. I read a guest commentary in the Asheville Citizen-Times, written by our dynamo board member, Catherine Alter, and I knew this was where I needed to be.

I'd like to honor Catherine by re-publishing her newspaper piece, which inspired me and most of the September 2012 literacy coach trainees. She is one of a handful of founding board members without whom this program would little more than a good idea.

And who know? It may resonate with you, or with someone near to you. Please share this with others. We're taking names for our Fall 2014 training session. If you think, as I did, think this might be a good fit, contact our volunteer coordinator, at the end of the article below.

(Note: when Catherine's piece was written, we had 13 reading coaches in one Asheville elementary school. Today we're in 4 of 5 city schools and the number of reading coaches have almost quadrupled. Yes, we ARE making a difference!)