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A Child's Introduction to African American History: The Experience, People, and Events That Shaped Our Country
A comprehensive, entertaining look at heroes, heroines, and critical moments from African American history -- from the slave trade to the Black Lives Matter movement --by award-winning author Jabari Asim.
Jabari Asim goes beyond what's taught in the classroom to reveal a fact-filled history of African American history through politics, activism, sports, entertainment, music, and much more. You'll follow the road to freedom beginning with the slave trade and the middle passage through the abolitionist movement and the Civil War where many African Americans fought as soldiers. You'll learn how slave songs often contained hidden messages and how a 15-year-old Jamaican-born young man named Clive Campbell helped to create hip-hop in the early 1970's.
You'll experience the passionate speeches, marches, and movements of the Civil Rights era along with and the sacrifices of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and many others. Along the way there are dozens of profiles of political trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, the first black women elected to Congress in 1968; dominants athletes like Tiger Woods who, in 1995, was only the second African American to play in a Master's Golf Tournament which he went on to win in 1997; popular musicians like Miles Davis, one the most influential artists of the twentieth century; and inspiring writers like Toni Morrison, the first African American to win the Nobel Prize in literature.
Filled with beautiful illustrations by Lynn Gaines that bring these figures and events to life, plus a removable historical timeline poster, A Child's Introduction to African American History is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to this often overlooked yet immensely important part of American history.
Jabari Asim goes beyond what's taught in the classroom to reveal a fact-filled history of African American history through politics, activism, sports, entertainment, music, and much more. You'll follow the road to freedom beginning with the slave trade and the middle passage through the abolitionist movement and the Civil War where many African Americans fought as soldiers. You'll learn how slave songs often contained hidden messages and how a 15-year-old Jamaican-born young man named Clive Campbell helped to create hip-hop in the early 1970's.
You'll experience the passionate speeches, marches, and movements of the Civil Rights era along with and the sacrifices of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and many others. Along the way there are dozens of profiles of political trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, the first black women elected to Congress in 1968; dominants athletes like Tiger Woods who, in 1995, was only the second African American to play in a Master's Golf Tournament which he went on to win in 1997; popular musicians like Miles Davis, one the most influential artists of the twentieth century; and inspiring writers like Toni Morrison, the first African American to win the Nobel Prize in literature.
Filled with beautiful illustrations by Lynn Gaines that bring these figures and events to life, plus a removable historical timeline poster, A Child's Introduction to African American History is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to this often overlooked yet immensely important part of American history.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2018
16 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Jabari Asim
33 books347 followers
Praise for Only The Strong
"Jabari Asim is such an elegant writer that you won't realize how smoothly he drew you in until you're halfway through this book. Humane and humorous, compassionate and willing to get a little rough, this describes both the writer and the novel. Only The Strong does for St. Louis what Edward P. Jones has done for Washington D.C., Raymond Chandler for Los Angeles---marked it as place on the literary map where you'll want to stay for a long while. A riveting novel." --Victor LaValle, author of The Devil in Silver
“Only the Strong is a lushly atmospheric and passionately written piece of work, bursting with colorful characters that shine on every page.” ---Bernice L. McFadden, author of Gathering of Waters
"Only the Strong effortlessly transmits Jabari Asim’s profound affection for this book's charismatic and varied characters. This is a vivid, revelatory portrait of 1970s America in the disheartened aftermath of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death." —Rafael Yglesias, author of The Wisdom of Perversity
"There's an eerie timeliness to the publication of this fictional study of Saint Louis black communities of the 1970s. Only the Strong reminds me of Chester Himes’ Harlem entertainments—in its deceptively light handling of desperately serious subject matter. Jabari Asim is a writer to watch, and to listen to closely, in these difficult times." —Madison Smartt Bell, author of All Souls’ Rising and Zig Zag Wanderer
"It is like stepping into a time capsule of my old neighborhood in the 1970s...to read about Gateway City, Jabari Asim’s fascinating rendition of St. Louis, as an adult brings back memories of time and place, and also admiration for his storytelling." —Susan Straight, author of Between Heaven and Here and A Million Nightingales
Praise for A Taste Of Honey
"A Taste of Honey has the power of memoir and the poetry of fiction. Suddenly, it is 1968 once more, with all of the hope and violence and seismic change that rocked the cities that summer. It's all here and it's all beautifully rendered. This books is a gem."
—Chris Bohjalian, author of Secrets of Eden
"Jabari Asim has written a brilliant coming-of-age tale filled with compelling characters navigating race relations in 1968, navigating familial and neighborhood demands, and triumphantly reaffirming what it means to be human. A lovely, lyrical collection of connected stories that will leave readers breathless and ecstatic with passion and joy."
—Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of Yellow Moon
"Offering the bitter with the sweet, Jabari Asim's first collection of stories, A Taste Of Honey, serves up a multilayered dish. Asim ranges through and across a Midwestern African American community in the wake of the civil rights movement and the social changes of the last forty years, writing from the inside out and unforgettably bringing to life a world that still is too seldom seen in American fiction."
—John Keene, author of Annotations
"Jabari Asim's rich short stories read like a novel . . . full of people we love getting to know—Rose, Gabriel, Pristine, Ed, Reuben, and Guts. I particularly loved the male characters in these pages . . . men who live by their brains and their brawn, shelter their children, their community. They embrace their wives. They love hard, laugh deep, and cry inside."
—Denise Nicholas, author of Freshwater Road
"Asim successfully delves into politics, domestic violence, racial identity, young love, and more in this humorous and poignant collection..."
—Publishers Weekly
"With his debut work of fiction, the Guggenheim Fellow proves himself to be a promising storyteller." -Library Journal
"This fiction rings true." -Kirkus Reviews
More about Jabari Asim
He is the author of What Obama Means . . . For Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Future,, The N Word
"Jabari Asim is such an elegant writer that you won't realize how smoothly he drew you in until you're halfway through this book. Humane and humorous, compassionate and willing to get a little rough, this describes both the writer and the novel. Only The Strong does for St. Louis what Edward P. Jones has done for Washington D.C., Raymond Chandler for Los Angeles---marked it as place on the literary map where you'll want to stay for a long while. A riveting novel." --Victor LaValle, author of The Devil in Silver
“Only the Strong is a lushly atmospheric and passionately written piece of work, bursting with colorful characters that shine on every page.” ---Bernice L. McFadden, author of Gathering of Waters
"Only the Strong effortlessly transmits Jabari Asim’s profound affection for this book's charismatic and varied characters. This is a vivid, revelatory portrait of 1970s America in the disheartened aftermath of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death." —Rafael Yglesias, author of The Wisdom of Perversity
"There's an eerie timeliness to the publication of this fictional study of Saint Louis black communities of the 1970s. Only the Strong reminds me of Chester Himes’ Harlem entertainments—in its deceptively light handling of desperately serious subject matter. Jabari Asim is a writer to watch, and to listen to closely, in these difficult times." —Madison Smartt Bell, author of All Souls’ Rising and Zig Zag Wanderer
"It is like stepping into a time capsule of my old neighborhood in the 1970s...to read about Gateway City, Jabari Asim’s fascinating rendition of St. Louis, as an adult brings back memories of time and place, and also admiration for his storytelling." —Susan Straight, author of Between Heaven and Here and A Million Nightingales
Praise for A Taste Of Honey
"A Taste of Honey has the power of memoir and the poetry of fiction. Suddenly, it is 1968 once more, with all of the hope and violence and seismic change that rocked the cities that summer. It's all here and it's all beautifully rendered. This books is a gem."
—Chris Bohjalian, author of Secrets of Eden
"Jabari Asim has written a brilliant coming-of-age tale filled with compelling characters navigating race relations in 1968, navigating familial and neighborhood demands, and triumphantly reaffirming what it means to be human. A lovely, lyrical collection of connected stories that will leave readers breathless and ecstatic with passion and joy."
—Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of Yellow Moon
"Offering the bitter with the sweet, Jabari Asim's first collection of stories, A Taste Of Honey, serves up a multilayered dish. Asim ranges through and across a Midwestern African American community in the wake of the civil rights movement and the social changes of the last forty years, writing from the inside out and unforgettably bringing to life a world that still is too seldom seen in American fiction."
—John Keene, author of Annotations
"Jabari Asim's rich short stories read like a novel . . . full of people we love getting to know—Rose, Gabriel, Pristine, Ed, Reuben, and Guts. I particularly loved the male characters in these pages . . . men who live by their brains and their brawn, shelter their children, their community. They embrace their wives. They love hard, laugh deep, and cry inside."
—Denise Nicholas, author of Freshwater Road
"Asim successfully delves into politics, domestic violence, racial identity, young love, and more in this humorous and poignant collection..."
—Publishers Weekly
"With his debut work of fiction, the Guggenheim Fellow proves himself to be a promising storyteller." -Library Journal
"This fiction rings true." -Kirkus Reviews
More about Jabari Asim
He is the author of What Obama Means . . . For Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Future,, The N Word
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 11, 2019
4 Stars / 0 Steam Fans
This is a very in-depth look at African American History. The timeline is extensive, informative, and I learned new information. This book was read for #romancegenreathon - African American Authors and MCs.
This specific video review will be included in the February 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
This is a very in-depth look at African American History. The timeline is extensive, informative, and I learned new information. This book was read for #romancegenreathon - African American Authors and MCs.
This specific video review will be included in the February 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
July 6, 2018
This is the only book of its kind at our library. It may be the only one of its kind in the country. Most other books focus on one person or one period of history, while this one covers the whole history of African people in the land that becomes the USA. It's a good overview, but like other books covering large parts of history, it suffers from not delving very deeply into any one part.
I took off one star for a few reasons.
1. I felt there were not enough women represented. Katherine Jonson and the other women of Hidden Figures are missing. Lots of women are included, but I think the author could have found more.
2. Slavery is a very small part of the book. It seems glossed over in just a couple pages. There is much more time devoted to the laws and politics of slavery than to what it was like to live as a slave. Maybe this was done because it is a book for children. But I think children can handle it. They need to know how African-Americans suffered, and how despicable the white owners were for continuing it. Slavery was glossed over in my history education, and this should never happen again.
3. I didn't get a handle on how these events hung together. How did some events influence others? Again, I may be asking too much of a book for children. But in a book this long, I think you should get a sense of continuity and perspective. Large portions of the book are given to biographical paragraphs of artists and athletes. While these people are a part of history, they have plenty of biographies on our shelves already. I would have liked smaller portions of the book given to them and more to the main history of the African-American people.
These are really just small nitpicks in what is, overall, an excellent and unique book. I learned quite a bit and will buy this book for my son's school.
I took off one star for a few reasons.
1. I felt there were not enough women represented. Katherine Jonson and the other women of Hidden Figures are missing. Lots of women are included, but I think the author could have found more.
2. Slavery is a very small part of the book. It seems glossed over in just a couple pages. There is much more time devoted to the laws and politics of slavery than to what it was like to live as a slave. Maybe this was done because it is a book for children. But I think children can handle it. They need to know how African-Americans suffered, and how despicable the white owners were for continuing it. Slavery was glossed over in my history education, and this should never happen again.
3. I didn't get a handle on how these events hung together. How did some events influence others? Again, I may be asking too much of a book for children. But in a book this long, I think you should get a sense of continuity and perspective. Large portions of the book are given to biographical paragraphs of artists and athletes. While these people are a part of history, they have plenty of biographies on our shelves already. I would have liked smaller portions of the book given to them and more to the main history of the African-American people.
These are really just small nitpicks in what is, overall, an excellent and unique book. I learned quite a bit and will buy this book for my son's school.
July 5, 2018
This book is very well done!
The color illustrations match what the author has written and the author, himself, has written a complete history in an easy-to-read / easy-to-understand format. Throughout this book, which also talks about African-American History from the beginning plus tells us what African American History is, along with "names" used over the years, are brief bios of people we should "Get to Know," including Carter G. Woodson - Founder of Black History Month.
About midway through the book until the end, there are sections sprinkled in, Artists of Note, Achievements in Sports, Political Trailblazers, Dominant Athletes, etc. The only person that I was disappointed that the author did not distinguish (separately) was John Lewis. He has done a lot to promote the Civil Rights of black people and he IS still living and serves an active role in the US House of Representatives, so I think he would be a recognizably dominant figure in African American History. Instead, he is mentioned briefly with regards to the paragraph about the SNCC (p.48).
At the end of the book is a list of African American History Museums and Places of Interest, along with street addresses for each. It would have been nice if the author would have included telephone numbers and web addresses, as well, but these things do change, so he probably did not want to date this book before it was published. :-)
Finally, there is a detailed index, as well as a Table of Contents.
Excellent!
The color illustrations match what the author has written and the author, himself, has written a complete history in an easy-to-read / easy-to-understand format. Throughout this book, which also talks about African-American History from the beginning plus tells us what African American History is, along with "names" used over the years, are brief bios of people we should "Get to Know," including Carter G. Woodson - Founder of Black History Month.
About midway through the book until the end, there are sections sprinkled in, Artists of Note, Achievements in Sports, Political Trailblazers, Dominant Athletes, etc. The only person that I was disappointed that the author did not distinguish (separately) was John Lewis. He has done a lot to promote the Civil Rights of black people and he IS still living and serves an active role in the US House of Representatives, so I think he would be a recognizably dominant figure in African American History. Instead, he is mentioned briefly with regards to the paragraph about the SNCC (p.48).
At the end of the book is a list of African American History Museums and Places of Interest, along with street addresses for each. It would have been nice if the author would have included telephone numbers and web addresses, as well, but these things do change, so he probably did not want to date this book before it was published. :-)
Finally, there is a detailed index, as well as a Table of Contents.
Excellent!
April 22, 2023
As someone who has become very interested in: 1) picture books 2) how we teach history to children, I thought this was a great intro to Black history for kids. My one crit is that there was a little bit too much of a focus on Black entrepreneurs and n0t enough of a focus on Black activists (would have loved to have seen something on Fred Hampton). Would definitely rec if you are a teacher and are trying to teach a comprehensive history to children.
July 3, 2020
A child’s introduction to African American history was very informative. We all know ‘the famous people’ but I didn’t know the exact situations that led to certain speeches or protest and I learned about so many organizations and people. It’s a shame we don’t get taught that much about it in our history class. After listening to this book I feel like I just scratched the surface but at least I am more aware of this part of history.
March 20, 2019
This is a GoodRead! Asim is a really good writer. This read is short but has a lot of reference points about the evolution of the Black experience in America. This read is excellent for children as a beginners guide to African American History, Yet anyone can enjoy this quick read and/or utilize the information as a quick guide or resource for researching.
March 25, 2025
What worked: Great condensed introduction to African American History that's perfect for classrooms and libraries. There's a sampling of history tidbits in this easy-to-follow non-fiction book. As a former first-grade teacher, I would have loved to share this book with my six-year-old students during Black History Month.
Some key mentions:
The beginnings of slavery
The Abolitionist Movement, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and the Dred Scott case.
Turn of the 20th century with mentions of what Juneteenth is, Jim Crow laws, Ida B. Wells, the horrific lynchings, and Black Wall Street.
There's much more! There are biographies of key African Americans. Plus, a removable historical timeline is the perfect addition to any classroom/library during Black History Month.
What I really liked was how the author includes recent parts of history, such as Trayvon Martin, Black Lives Matter, Tamir Rice, and Ferguson.
The illustrations are engaging and sure to have students asking for more. This is also perfect for homeschoolers and those who aren't familiar with the history.
Perfect addition to any classroom curriculum, not only during Black History Month but year-round.
Good Points
1. Great condensed introduction to African American History
2. Perfect to add to the classroom curriculum for not only Black History Month but year-round
3. Colorful illustrations that add to the book
Original post: https://yabookscentral.com/a-childs-i...
Some key mentions:
The beginnings of slavery
The Abolitionist Movement, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and the Dred Scott case.
Turn of the 20th century with mentions of what Juneteenth is, Jim Crow laws, Ida B. Wells, the horrific lynchings, and Black Wall Street.
There's much more! There are biographies of key African Americans. Plus, a removable historical timeline is the perfect addition to any classroom/library during Black History Month.
What I really liked was how the author includes recent parts of history, such as Trayvon Martin, Black Lives Matter, Tamir Rice, and Ferguson.
The illustrations are engaging and sure to have students asking for more. This is also perfect for homeschoolers and those who aren't familiar with the history.
Perfect addition to any classroom curriculum, not only during Black History Month but year-round.
Good Points
1. Great condensed introduction to African American History
2. Perfect to add to the classroom curriculum for not only Black History Month but year-round
3. Colorful illustrations that add to the book
Original post: https://yabookscentral.com/a-childs-i...
August 3, 2020
This was a fantastic tool as our family begins digging into anti-racist work. I used this to lead and provide background for many discussions with my daughters (7 and 9) who have not yet had the benefit (or disadvantage?) of learning white-washed history in middle and high school.
Side note: It’s incredible that we don’t teach true history and culture beginning in kindergarten. Avoiding or just hitting the high points (token MLK day, anyone?) breeds the systemic racism that pervades society.
So it is indeed an uphill fight and not an easy task for white parents to do the work and raise anti-racist kids. Do it anyway. Black parents don’t have the luxury or privilege of waiting it out until their children hear Pearson or McGraw-Hill version of colonialism and slavery to correct the misrepresentations.
We supplemented our readings with YouTube recordings of actual news footage and PBS media. The featured individuals are a nice inclusion but the history and culture articles - as well as the timeline are where the real value lies.
We rented this from the library but found it demands a permanent place on our shelves. Go get it. Do the work.
Side note: It’s incredible that we don’t teach true history and culture beginning in kindergarten. Avoiding or just hitting the high points (token MLK day, anyone?) breeds the systemic racism that pervades society.
So it is indeed an uphill fight and not an easy task for white parents to do the work and raise anti-racist kids. Do it anyway. Black parents don’t have the luxury or privilege of waiting it out until their children hear Pearson or McGraw-Hill version of colonialism and slavery to correct the misrepresentations.
We supplemented our readings with YouTube recordings of actual news footage and PBS media. The featured individuals are a nice inclusion but the history and culture articles - as well as the timeline are where the real value lies.
We rented this from the library but found it demands a permanent place on our shelves. Go get it. Do the work.
December 6, 2018
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. This is a beautifully illustrated book about the history of African Americans. It is well written and even comes along with a removable historical timeline. This book would make a great addition to any teacher's or library's non-fiction collection. And any household that is lucky enough to have one should get a copy.
My education just glossed over black history compared to all the information that is found in this book. Owning this book and reading excerpts now and then will help you to be more knowledgeable, grateful, and even more hopeful for equality for all people.
My education just glossed over black history compared to all the information that is found in this book. Owning this book and reading excerpts now and then will help you to be more knowledgeable, grateful, and even more hopeful for equality for all people.
February 12, 2025
I have been so impressed with this child’s introduction series. This offers a solid overview of African American history from slavery through modern times. It covers the highlights you’ve seen other places; abolitionist movement, civil war, civil rights, etc but for an introduction it goes surprisingly deep. The rollercoaster of high moments and low setbacks is better covered. I also love that there are features on artists, athletes and political trailblazers who made their mark on history. These go beyond MLK, Harriet Tubman and Oprah, although they are mentioned as well. It is a well written, fact filled, comprehensive introduction to this important part of American history.
November 12, 2019
Tragedy and triumph would have been a fitting alternate title for this book. I listened to it as an audiobook on CDs so there were plenty of facts and I had to rewind sometimes and listen. However, I feel that it was an honest look at many difficult events in African-American history. Much of this information, I had heard before but it helped me to walk away with a better appreciation for the struggles that African-American had experienced— their pride and resilience.
December 31, 2021
This one was another one we used for our 8 year old 1st semester, for his History clas. One that we will definitely continue reading and using for our learning journey during the 2nd semester of History class during 2022. Great resources, awesome addition. We have enjoyed learning.
February 14, 2018
A good introduction for adults
July 21, 2019
An introduction from the slave trade to the I Can’t Breathe movement. For me it included many familiar names and happenings which require more reading and writing to seal into my memory.
November 21, 2020
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
Want to read
June 6, 2021On further reading list from "Stamped for Kids"
January 15, 2022
I learned a lot! Well-written and a good example to see what kinds of things can be included in kidlit. Some of the sections were hard to read with lack of contrast.
August 5, 2022
This was a good book, a must-read for all ethnicities. My only complaint is the small typeface.
April 7, 2024
Good overview, some of the illustrations seemed a bit off
February 14, 2022
This book has tons of information that parents can read with their children. The stories of African American Success is never ending. The illustrations are amazing with watercolor and intricate detail. This is a wonderful way to learn and share our history. While this is a picture book, it may be difficult for younger children to read as it is more like a chapter book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews