Kids’ books feature young Black Americans who dared — and achieved – The Virginian-Pilot

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There is no one story that encapsulates Black History Month, and that is part of the beauty of African American lives and accomplishments. This month, when there is so much to celebrate, consider how many different threads form this tapestry — everything from civil rights marches shared by thousands to the concentration of a single record-setting pilot. These four inspiring books tug on a few of those threads and invite young people to dream big.
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“Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist” by Jacci Gresham and Sherry Fellores, illustrated by David Wilkerson. (Ages 4-8. Dial. $18.99.)
Tattoo artist Jacci Gresham (who wrote this book with Sherry Fellores) starts her story of self-discovery with an encouragement for young people to “stray outside the lines.”
Gresham — who loved art, drawing and self-expression as a child — felt forced into the safe path of architecture and engineering. But when she loses her job, her “heart is ready for the change,” and she takes a big chance by moving to New Orleans and following her passion for art into becoming a tattoo artist who pays special attention to African-inspired designs and vibrant colors. “I will make sure that Black people see what my designs will look like on their beautiful, brown skin,” Gresham says — and by welcoming women, creating unique designs and supporting her community, she lets her unique light shine.
“This is how I make my mark,” she says. “How will you make yours?”
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“Let’s Fly!: Barrington Irving’s Record-Breaking Flight Around the World” by Barrington Irving and Chana Stiefel, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice. (Ages 3-7. Dial. $18.99.)
Barrington Irving (who wrote this book for young readers with Chana Stiefel) discovered his passion as a high schooler: He wanted to soar.
The Black airplane pilot who inspired him helped him get a start, then gave him a challenge: to turn around and help someone else. From there, Irving decides to “do something HUGE to inspire kids to reach for the sky” — to become the youngest person and the first Black man to fly solo around the world.
With punchy prose and soaring illustrations, this true story asks readers to find their own passion and take their own journey: “So what’s your dream? Let’s fly!” (The book adds a cheerful epilogue about those dreams. In the time since Irving conquered his solo voyage in 2007, a series of young pilots have taken on the same challenge and broken his age record. “Who’ll be next? Maybe you!”)
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“Unstoppable John” by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jerry Jordan. (Ages 4-8. Viking Books for Young Readers. $18.99.)
Sixteen-year-old John Lewis just wanted books — books, and the ideas in them, and the possibilities they offered. But in 1956, when he asked his public library for a library card, he was told no, because he was Black. That, of course, was only the beginning of the story.
This biography of the civil rights hero is inspiring but also approachable for young people, discussing Lewis’s work as the result of an unquenchable drive to make the nation better and fairer: “(H)e knew someone had to do something to help things change. Maybe that person could be him.”
Page by page, this biography describes how Lewis wrote the story of his life as a Freedom Rider, a protest leader, an author and a congressman.
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“Sharing the Dream” by Shelia P. Moses, illustrated by Keith Mallett. (Ages 3-7. Nancy Paulsen Books. $18.99.)
From the window of a bus during the long ride from Alabama, from the crowded streets of Washington, D.C., and finally from a perch on her father’s shoulders, young Agnes offers readers a child’s-eye view of the 1963 March on Washington. “We were on our way to the capital of the USA. We were going to change the world!”
The optimism and power of the landmark day are echoed in her excitement — marveling as Mahalia Jackson sings, cheering on John Lewis and Josephine Baker, and, finally, roaring with pride at the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
It’s all new for Agnes, and her wonder makes the story feel fresh and new as well, from the long walk, to the inspiring words, to the sight of Black and white marchers alike cooling their tired feet in the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
Caroline Luzzatto has taught preschool and fourth grade. Reach her at luzzatto.bookworms@gmail.com. 
 
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