1 00:00:00,060 --> 00:00:02,460 Celebrate black history with children of all ages, 2 00:00:02,460 --> 00:00:05,790 by reading stories about black leaders and change-makers. 3 00:00:05,790 --> 00:00:08,490 For centuries black Americans have overcome adversity, 4 00:00:08,490 --> 00:00:10,150 and made their mark on the world. 5 00:00:10,150 --> 00:00:12,030 And it's important to celebrate those themes 6 00:00:12,030 --> 00:00:13,710 in children's literature. 7 00:00:13,710 --> 00:00:17,070 It's equally important to depict black joy, ease, and comfort, 8 00:00:17,070 --> 00:00:20,190 and not just stories of overcoming oppression. 9 00:00:20,190 --> 00:00:22,860 Books that center relatable and casual black characters, 10 00:00:22,860 --> 00:00:25,020 help positively shift the image black children 11 00:00:25,020 --> 00:00:26,595 see of themselves. 12 00:00:26,595 --> 00:00:29,220 Here are three children's books that you should consider adding 13 00:00:29,220 --> 00:00:32,220 to your rotation year round. 14 00:00:32,220 --> 00:00:34,373 Hair Love is a beautifully illustrated story, 15 00:00:34,373 --> 00:00:35,790 about a father giving his daughter 16 00:00:35,790 --> 00:00:38,100 an extra special hairstyle. 17 00:00:38,100 --> 00:00:39,750 The story positively depicts the bond 18 00:00:39,750 --> 00:00:42,180 between father and daughter, an ode to self-confidence, 19 00:00:42,180 --> 00:00:44,580 and the beauty of black hair. 20 00:00:44,580 --> 00:00:46,435 Gabe the Mighty is a series of books, 21 00:00:46,435 --> 00:00:48,810 that are designed to tell the imaginative stories of boys 22 00:00:48,810 --> 00:00:49,800 of color. 23 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,475 These books are dedicated to painting a positive self-image 24 00:00:52,475 --> 00:00:54,600 for these young boys, and gives them an opportunity 25 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:56,430 to fall in love with reading. 26 00:00:56,430 --> 00:00:58,310 In this installment of Gabe the Mighty, 27 00:00:58,310 --> 00:01:00,310 Gabe must clean his room while also fighting off 28 00:01:00,310 --> 00:01:01,485 imaginary messy minions. 29 00:01:04,390 --> 00:01:05,780 Grace for President tells a story 30 00:01:05,780 --> 00:01:08,280 of a young girl's ambition to become president of the United 31 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:09,300 States. 32 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:11,340 To prepare for her career in politics, 33 00:01:11,340 --> 00:01:13,260 she decides to run for class president 34 00:01:13,260 --> 00:01:15,180 at her elementary school. 35 00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:18,055 The story centers Grace's tenacity and civic mindedness, 36 00:01:18,055 --> 00:01:20,430 while also educating the reader on the American electoral 37 00:01:20,430 --> 00:01:22,140 college system. 38 00:01:22,140 --> 00:01:23,970 Black history is not just the past. 39 00:01:23,970 --> 00:01:25,080 It's happening right now. 40 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:26,880 By meeting the need for more black stories, 41 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:28,740 we're elevating future black change-makers, 42 00:01:28,740 --> 00:01:29,823 and their accomplishments. 43 00:01:29,823 --> 00:01:32,660 [MUSIC PLAYING]