Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History

by Vashti Harrison, Kwesi Johnson

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison shines a bold, joyous light on black men through history.
An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history.
Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, musician Prince, photographer Gordon Parks, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.
The legends in this book span centuries and continents, but what they have in common is that each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Picture Books, African American, Middle Grade

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2019

About the author

Vashti Harrison, author and illustrator of the bestselling Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, is an artist, author, and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling. She earned her MFA in film and video from California Institute of the Arts, where she snuck into animation and illustration classes to learn from Disney and DreamWorks legends. There she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now she uses her love for both film and illustration to craft beautiful stories for children.

Reviews

[Kavitha Sivakumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing achievements against all odds making (black) history!

[Ekene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest thing ever. Gives us more history on prominent black figures than most history lessons. I loved it.

[Star Gater · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a multitude of people mentioned. I had the audiobook and focused better with one narrator than the other. Hoopla lists only one name.

While familiar with most, there were a couple new names and careers.



I read this as part of book ban/challenged awareness.

#24BB

[I'mogén · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading vlog: https://youtu.be/1UrgtdFiGIo
https://youtu.be/zBOlVpBhVkI

I couldn't help smiling throughout this. It was inspiring, even despite the bitesize teaching. It's the perfect amount of information for a young audience and I hope my nephew is inspired by these men as he grows up (I've bought it for his 4th birthday).

I loved that the author chose to include a large selection of lesser known men, rather than just the more well known. There was some extra history at the back that I enjoyed as well as some directions to further resources and a lovely little section to draw your own Little Leader. It was so inspiring and had a good mixture of those I was familiar with and those I hadn't heard of before.

The illustrations were stunning. They were all very cohesive but pertained to the individuals career path, with beautiful attention to background colour and tone. I loved the little doodles of objects that fit the theme of each person on the biography page, followed by a larger illustration on the following page. It was beautifully presented and is also one of those books that just smell so good.

Gutted that my cat scratched the front cover though.

Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén

[shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book so much. a must have for your child’s book collection!

[Kier Scrivener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Vashti Harrison's series of books that highlight the historical figures beside her gorgeous drawings.

It is also amazing that she writes in a way that is accessible for children to understand history but is by no means boring for an adult to read.

I was able to share this book with several people who noticed the beautiful art. And it was beautiful to see their immediate desire to share it with everyone they know and put in schools.

I love the detail and art done for these extraordinary men.

[Betweenpaperbackworlds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every child every adult should read books like this. To be more informed about people you’ve never heard of and people you only knew a little about. This should be in every school and in every home. Knowing Black History is knowing American history and that should never be forgotten!!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like Harrison’s other book “Bold Women in Black History”, this book is jam packed full of inspirational stories, but instead of bold black women, we’re learning about exceptional black men who have pushed boundaries, challenged perceptions and fought for change. Through reading this book I learnt names and stories that I knew little or nothing about beforehand and I think that will be the same for quite a few other readers too, but what better way to educate yourself than through an easily accessible, well constructed and beautifully illustrated book. This book isn’t just for young black boys, it’s for anyone and everyone.

For me, it’s another essential addition to any bookshelf, classroom and library. And who knows, maybe it will inspire the next generation of activists who fight for the equality of those who have been marginalised for far far too long.

[Leonore Mosley(EDUC378) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text-to-Self Connection: How does the story connect to your personal experiences or background?


This would be a great book to read for Black History Month. The students will see a glimpse of the many accomplishments of African American men who look like them. I also chose this book because I think my son will enjoy it. Representation matters and this book show little people who look like him. He likes to choose books with pictures that look like him, his dad or papa. It includes an overview of African American men and their achievements. I want my son to see other males who have made changes in the world. We can select a different person a day and have fun learning more about them. Learning about more African American men we may not always talk about will introduce him to new information and help sharpen mine.

[Eli Millette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how much I loved this book. I had heard talk about these little legends books, but I wasn't expecting how interesting and well thought out every description was. I found myself, even as a grown ass man and not a child, excited to turn the page and learn about some new and interesting figure in black history I inevitably knew nothing about. It was like a wonderful surprise on every page.

I really have to give a lot of credit to Harrison because what made the book for me were the little descriptions. They were exciting, interesting, and always made me want to learn more. These are also not popular figures in black history which reflects real consideration and effort on Harrisons' part in terms of research - although part of that could very well be my own ignorance.

I think everyone should try to read at least some pages from this book. I can guarantee you will learn something new - like which little legend invented the modern streetlight! Come on, how cool is that?

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Linda Higgs, for bringing this wonderful book to my attention. I learned so much about Black men who should be famous. Thank to the bibliography, I can learn more. Just put Little Leaders, Vashti's book about Black women on hold at the library. Read these books with children, or on your own as an adult. Just read them!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting book by Harrison with some interesting, accomplished men I didn’t know (as well as some like Prince that I did 🙂). I really wish I could commission my own illustration by Harrison and will continue reading all of her books!

[Megan Sanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was learning about Dwayne McDuffie, who created Static Shock. I really miss that TV show.

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review and others https://www.readingforsanity.com/2020...

[Filipa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for learning a bit about lots of black men in history.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are delightful. I knew of many more of these men than I did the women, but still found that there was a lot to enjoy. Still not sure why the other men at the end, and others, couldn't be included. Another book in the set would be welcome.

[Bailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book but breaking it up in a bunch of parts.

[Mira Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I love this and I know Theo will love it when he’s a little older. It’s one page on each Black man in history told in an easy to read format the art work is wonderful.

[MarQuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had such a deep admiration for Vashti Harrison’s “Little Leaders” series since I bought the very first book for my then 4-year-old little sister. I was so grateful that such a book existed so that everyone, especially young Black girls, could connect with Black history and to be able to identify with the extraordinary historical figures represented in the book. I was beside myself (squealed with glee even) when Vashti Harrison announced that this book centering Black male historical figures was forthcoming. And I’m completely unembarrassed to say that I bought this book for myself, a 28 year old Black male-identifying person. More specifically, I bought it for my young boy self. It’s the sort of book I didn’t know I needed and yet yearned for in my developing years as a reader. I hugged this book to my chest as I’d have done as an 8-year-old and read it slowly, taking in four figures at a time. I was elated as I read about people familiar to me and people whose stories I was discovering for the very first time, such as Eddie Mabo and Charles Henry Turner. What I love most about the art is that the historical figures, who achieved much of what they’re known for as adults, are drawn like young boys which further encourages the connection young children should make with history and the people who shape it. This would make a perfect Christmas gift for everyone but especially those Black boys (and men) who were made to believe, as Arturo Schomburg had been, that Black people had achieved nothing and had no history worth learning about. This book, and the MANY others beyond children’s literature that preceded it, completely disproves such a destructive lie.

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK LITTLE ONE WE GOT HISTORY 👋🏿. IAM GETTING THIS BOOK THIS IS A MUST FOR MY LIBRARY. WELL DONE👊🏽👏🏾

[LaSheba Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly inspirational and educational book for both children and adults!

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first discovered Vashti Harrison's illustrations in Little Leaders: Visionary Women Around the World. I enjoyed the collection so much that I continued on with Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and now to her newest biographical collection, Little Legends: Exceptional Men In Black History.

This collection features 35 exceptional men that have made their mark on history. From inventors to Revolutionary War spies, to famous musicians and Supreme Court justices. Little Legends includes men from all walks of life and professions and gives us a pageful of information on each.

Vashti has a quite calming illustration style with peaceful, happy faces on all of her featured legends and colorful backgrounds with doodled elements that reflect that persons' life, work, and interests.

18 more incredible figures from history, including Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Jackie Robinson are included with a smaller amount of text in the back of the book.
There is also a spread at the end of the book called 'Further Reading' that includes literature, music, films, and more from or about the exceptional men featured in this children's book.

These books would make a lovely addition to any little library!

This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vashti Harrison's series of collected biographies for kids is truly wonderful, and Little Leaders is a brilliant addition to the series. It was wonderful to see men who were famous for a broad variety of things (from music to science to sports to activism to filmmaking and more), who were from a broad variety of countries (while the USA was the focus, there were also men from Ghana, Senegal, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, the UK, and more), and just variety everywhere. I thought it was brilliant to see men who were afro-latinx and indigenous as well, and I'm sure kids who see themselves in those identities will love this. It was also wonderful to see queerness and disability represented in the book as well, and even if I'd have liked to see more of the latter, I thought it was great to see accessibility discussed and "using a wheelchair" used instead of more problematic phrases (like wheelchair-bound, etc).

The art is as brilliant as I would expect from Harrison (I believe this is the sixth book I've read with her illustrations). It's very cute, and while it's easy to imagine any figure there, it's also easy to identify the men by the features she has added.

Highly recommended!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I see this book as a sibling to my first, but I don't think of this as "the boy book" or a book for boys. My books are for all readers. Here, I feature the stories of men, but they are for everyone, just as Little Leaders is." -Vashti Harrison, author

I have seen these Little Leaders books pop up from time to time but I always figured I was too old to enjoy them. Oh, how wrong I was! I learned so much from this book! This book features mini-biographies of 35 Black men throughout history. A few of these men I had heard of before: John Lewis, James Baldwin, and Louis Armstrong to name a few. But so many of these men were brand new names to me. Men like Benjamin Banneker who invented the first full-size clock in America. Men like John Robinson who paved the way for the Tuskegee Airmen. Men like André Leon Talley who is a Black male editor at Vogue.

I am sad, but not surprised, that so many of the names in this book were new for me. I will definitely be looking into other versions of the Little Leaders collection to help me learn more about people who have made a difference in our world. Readers of all ages can learn something from this book!

[Hannah Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each page in this book is filled with incredible stories about exceptional men in black history. This book is an awesome way to teach black history. It is filled with amazing men who rose above adversity and became influential and world changing. It tells the real life stories of legendary astronauts, scientists, athletes, activists and musicians. This books goes through the life of Benjamin Banneker, Louis Armstrong, Bill Russell, John Lewis, Frederik Douglass, Harold Moody and so many more.
This book does an amazing job of teaching black history in a real and understandable way for children. It gives the details of these men and their lives as they dealt with slavery, war, racism and how they fought through to accomplish amazing things. This is the perfect way to teach children the significance of black history. Although it deals with hard issues, it opens the door for conversations and honesty about the past. This is the kind of book that should be in every classroom. The illustrations are simple and sweet and show that the children reading it can grow up to accomplish amazing things despite being faced with adversity.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison which focuses on forty trailblazing black men in American History. Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History educates and inspires as it relates true stories of breaking boundaries and achieving beyond expectation.

Harrison's text is simplistic, easy to understand, informative, and demonstrated what these amazing black men did through their lifetimes. The art is simply wonderful and colorful, which keeps the young reader captivated and bring these exceptional men to life.

These forty black men bring to life iconic and less-known male figures of Black History. They are listed from order of birth from Benjamin Banneker, an inventor and farmer to Sir David Adjaye, an architect. Each and every of these forty men are given a detailed, albeit concise mini-biography.

All in all, Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History is a wonderful children's book targeted mainly for young children of color, but it is relevant for anyone.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is both visually and tactically pleasing. When you hold this book in your hands, you'll know what I mean about tactically pleasing. The author has both written and illustrated "Little Legends." Although her intended audience is children, I am an octogenarian and I was delighted by and learned much from it. I would say this is for all ages of readers who are interested in learning about little known, but influential people in history (and not just black history!). It should be part of school curricula. My 17 year old granddaughter was "taken" with it. Harrison has devoted two opposing pages to each of thirty five men. They are arranged by date of birth, starting with Benjamin Banneker born in 1731 and ending with Sir David Adjaye, born in 1966. Some are men with whom I am familiar, such as Arthur Ashe, Langston Hughes, and Prince. But most were men with whom I was unfamiliar. I will now read Harrison's two other similar books: "Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" and "Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After we finished Hero Tales, we started reading Little Leaders. It has been fun to read short biographies at the supper table as a family. My oldest is just 4, so we will definately go through this book again (and again) as he gets older. One thing that really bothered me about the book, and ultimately why I went with 4 stars instead of 5, was that the author focused so much on their accomplishments and not at all on their family life. Many stories start in their childhood, and there would be a mention of their parents or grandparents, but there was never any talk of whether they got married or had kids. And for sure maybe some of these people didn't get married, but either way, I would have liked to have known. I like Vashti's fun, cute and simple illustrations, and we're planning to read more of her books.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly I've never heard of most of these people. I know Benjamin Banneker because I lived in Washington, DC. and I read Molly Bannaky but never made that connection. I know the name Schomburg because of the library but didn't really know who Arturo Schomburg was. Fredrick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, Louis Armstrong, Langston Hughes, John Lewis (who was still alive at the time the book was published), Arthur Ashe and Prince are of course well known. James Baldwin, Harry Belafonte, Alvin Ailey are lesser known figures I've heard of. There are more familiar names in the back with short profiles.

This series is excellently done for an elementary age reader. I hope they aren't deterred by the board book format.

[Izaiah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally enjoy this book. This book is absolutely educational for young children from 5-12 if they are not understanding of the great achievements of black history. My favorite, "little leader" to learn about was Benjamin Banneker. This book inspires young black boys to want to be great and do great things in life. For young black girls there is also book about brave black women in history. This book does a great job being descriptive for kids who are still learning to read are who like pictures. If they only want to see pictures it also gives a good image of how their life was. The book gives a good 50/50 of pictures and words to help the reader understand. If anyone has complaints about the over advanced sentences the pictures can still give a good desciption.