Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy

by Van G Garrett, Reginald C Adams (Illustrator), Samson Bimbo Adenugba (Illustrator)

A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas—birthplace of Juneteenth—through the eyes of a boy coming to understand his place in Black American history in a story from three Texan creators. A young Black child experiences the magic of the Juneteenth parade for the first time with their family as they come to understand the purpose of the party that happens every year—and why they celebrate their African American history! The poetic text includes selected lyrics from “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the unofficial Black National Anthem, and the vibrant art illuminates the beauty of this moment of Black joy, celebrated across the nation. This vibrant adventure through the city streets invites young readers to make a joyful noise about freedom for all.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Holiday, Childrens, Family, African American, Social Justice

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 2, 2023

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upbeat, positive celebration of current day Juneteenth festivities. It will remind some of their family's 4th of July celebrations; there's a parade, a picnic and more.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Not really telling the full story of Juneteenth, but more about a kid going to a parade and seeing himself everywhere and learning some of the history of his ancestors. Wonderful!

[Trish Banda]

Great for a classroom!
An easy way to explain what our new holiday is 🙌🏾

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations with a bright positive message about the history of Juneteenth it doesn’t shy away from the truth of what happened but it delivers the message in a positive tone.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Juneteenth book with a modern-day setting! Most picture books that tell the story of Juneteenth set the book in 1865/1866. I really liked that this tells the story from the perspective of a kid attending a present-day Juneteenth celebration in Galveston.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this book are the times that the main character feels represented by those around him. "Many people on the big, bright floats looked like me" he says. Later when he is looking at the crowd he sees people who look like "Paw-Paw" and "Mimi" and he comments, "There are so many people who look like us." My least favorite thing about this book might be that there is another child in the illustrations but she is not acknowledged in the text. For example, the parents think they have found a good spot to picnic and ask, "What do you think, Son?" Later the main character says his mom held him and "loving told me of MY history." In the author's note, Garrett explains that his parents took him and his sister to a Juneteenth parade when he was a kid. It is odd to me that his sister is featured in the illustrations but the text seems to exclude her entirely. This book is largely about a Juneteenth parade in Galveston and I think the illustrations would be enjoyable for kids to look at. This book definitely focuses on Black joy and only very briefly talks about "abuse and pain - heartache." This is not my favorite book about Juneteenth personally but I don't dislike it either.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but I felt that it was too brief, with some things being only glimpsed at that it made the book feel incomplete to me. I wish that it had gone more into the history of what Juneteenth is. I know this may sound silly to some for me to say, but a lot of people don't know what this holiday is. I actually had a co-worker (an adult who works at the library) leave for the day and as they were leaving they were wishing everyone a happy Juneteenth, but then said that they really didn't know what that was. Now hear me out. I don't mind having conversations and I know not every knows everything, but what killed me is that this co-worker spent a lot of the days recently sitting at the children's information desk and literally five feet from her was a display all dedicated to Juneteenth... So I just wish the book had gone slightly more in depth with what it actually was and it would have been nice to know what the Negro National Anthem actually is. It didn't seem to appear anywhere for reference. Anyway, while I enjoyed it and loved the illustrations, I felt it didn't do all it could have done. My rating - 3/5

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good pictorial and lyrical description of a Juneteenth parade and celebration for a family with a young boy. While the idea for the celebration is touched on and the boy begins to glimpse why they drove so far to see the parade and celebration, it stops a little short in my mind. I feel like the end points written by the author, and I like the illustrations. I think the pont where the book fell short is that it doesn't have a timeline. Some things the timeline could include are Lee's surrender, final confederate surrender, Emancipation Proclamation date, 40 acres Field Order, the overturning of the 40 acres Field Order, General Order No. 3, and there are probably other dates that should be included. A short description of the meaning of these dates should also be included. Most of these things aren't taught in school, so conversations could occur between parents and kids when they are ready.

[Kira K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts:
Being from the UK I didn’t know anything about Juneteenth before and thought this book would be a great building block for me to start with. The story centres around a young boy learning about Juneteenth and its importance to him and his family through their history is a great way to do things. This could be a great starter for young children to learn the importance of such a holiday for parents to then base their conversations off of. The illustrations are amazing and add so much to the story with the beautiful realism complimenting the lyrical text.

Favourite Quote:
“I understood why it's important to celebrate. Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.”

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Juneteenth" celebrates this important national holiday from the perspective of kids who are Black.

Much as I understand the need for this perspective, I view Juneteenth as a holiday for all Americans.

Repeatedly, in this book we're told that the celebration includes "so many people who look like us." Personally, I long for the day when we can judge people by the content of their character. But then I haven't had the experience of casual prejudice, nor of systemic racism, directed at me... because of how I look.

On behalf of those who have been included in this picture book, FIVE STARS.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one showcases a celebration of today. A young boy attends a Juneteenth parade and marvels at how everyone looks like him. He feels all the joy and excitement of people celebrating. The story uses lines from the Black National Anthem "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing". The illustrations include a mural that was done by the illustrator which is a fun nod to a real place and community. This story is for Black kids to experience the joy of seeing people like them come together to celebrate a happy occasion.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young lad and his family travel to Galveston, Tx, (the birth place of the holiday to share in the pride, joy, history, parade and celebration of Juneteenth. The young lad is amazed at what he witnesses the gathering of so many people who looks similar to him, as they join in the festivities of the day, and what it represents.

[Denise Lauron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim from the library.

The illustrations were great. The book depicted a child's vision of a Juneteenth parade. It briefly described what Juneteenth was about, but if I hadn't known, I wouldn't have become clear about what the holiday is about.

The book is good to show a child a remembrance of the parade, but not to teach about the day.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are other Juneteenth books (about the holiday and why--the last day of slavery in Texas and thus ending across the Nation) that I like better. Also while I felt this book was trying to be lyrical and use verses of the Black National Anthem....it did not translate the greatest in my opinion.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. I wish the authors had explained the banners and flags in the parade.

[Kelly]

I love how the boy in this book is so happy to see himself represented in the parade unlike in most parades. It's great he notices and that there is something like this for him.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 06-14-2023

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will be a joy reading this to my grandson!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

mostly about a parade

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely picture book celebrating the joy of Juneteenth.

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily the best Juneteenth book that I’ve read. I love the narrative that runs through it. This belongs in every classroom.

[Sam W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watercolor illustrations work hand in hand with a family's Juneteenth celebration.

[Paige Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great book to start out with for early childhood if they learning about Juneteenth. This describe the similarties the main charcter knows and see in the book.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow this family as they joyfully celebrate a local parade in the birthplace of our national holiday Juneteenth.

[Nisveta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art, just the beginning of a conversation!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! More books about Juneteenth please! I'd love to see the mural Absolute Equality in person someday.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Good subject and perspective; weird tense and illustrations lack joy

[Jennifer Ingle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a Black family joyously celebrating Juneteenth

[Ashley Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read about the joy of celebrating Juneteenth.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Juneteenth, Emancipation, African American Heritage, Black Authors

Tells the story of a boy visiting the Juneteenth parade in Galveston Texas for the first time with his family.