I’ve read a bunch of picture books for Juneteenth to my kids over the past week and am so excited that this special day is now a federal holiday. If you’re unclear about the meaning of Juneteenth, essentially it commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free. Though President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation two years before, it took a long time before enslaved people received word. Read on for a list of picture books to help you and your family celebrate this holiday together.
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis. I initially shared this in my first Black History Month post, but it is a great introduction to Juneteenth. I especially love the joy you can feel through the illustrations.
A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor. My kids and I were so enamored with this story! I’m planning to buy it and add it to my picture books for Juneteenth. follows Huldah, whose tenth birthday falls on the day Union soldiers announce that enslaved people are now free. She and her family and friends join together to celebrate the day, then called Jubilee Day, and surprise her with a beautiful quilted flag for her birthday. The entire book looks like a quilt, and my kids LOVED that.
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini and Sawyer Cloud. This book explains how Juneteenth became a holiday, first in Texas and then nationwide, and helps you better understand some of the traditions and celebrations.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan and Keturah A. Bobo. I had never heard of Opal Lee before reading this book, and I’m so glad I know her name now. Opal Lee helped organize Fort Worth’s annual Juneteenth celebration and campaigned for years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, which finally happened in 2021. She also watched white rioters vandalize and then burn down her home on Juneteenth when she was only 12 years old, spurring her to activism. This is an incredible story.
Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise by Lavaille Lavette and David Wilkerson. Younger kids will like this Little Golden Book about Jayylen, a little boy who learns about Juneteenth from his grandfather. Jayylen also learns about zydeco music and learns to play it, surprising his grandfather with his new abilities and a special guest. I had never heard of zydeco music and really like it!
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper. I LOVE Floyd Cooper’s beautiful books, and this one is no exception. It follows Mazie, a young girl who is celebrating Juneteenth but learns a lot about her ancestors and heritage from her father in the process.
Have you read any great picture books for Juneteenth? I’d love to expand my collection!
