Hey, brilliant book creators! As someone who lives in Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth, I can tell you that while the holiday may have passed, we celebrate its spirit all month. And make it our mission to spread the cheer and keep the stories of freedom, resilience, and history alive. Whether you're writing your next big hit or simply seeking inspiration, here are three fantastic children's books about Juneteenth that will spark your creativity and captivate young readers.
"Juneteenth Jamboree" by Carole Boston Weatherford and Yvonne Buchanan Let's start with a gem that beautifully captures the essence of Juneteenth. The first book in traditional publishing exclusively focused on the holiday, "Juneteenth Jamboree," introduces us to Cassandra, a young girl who moves to Texas and discovers the vibrant celebration of Juneteenth. Through a community gathering filled with music, dance, and storytelling, Cassandra learns about the significance of this historic day. Why It's Inspiring: Weatherford's engaging narrative and lively illustrations make this book a delightful read. It perfectly balances the gravity of the subject with the joy of freedom, providing a masterclass on how to handle sensitive historical topics in a way that's accessible to children. Note how Weatherford's evocative prose and vivid imagery create a memorable narrative. "All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom" by Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis Angela Johnson's "All Different Now" offers a poignant and poetic look at Juneteenth through the eyes of a young girl. The story follows her and her family's first moments of freedom, capturing the profound impact of the Emancipation Proclamation in a deeply personal and emotional way. Why It's Inspiring: Johnson's lyrical language paired with E.B. Lewis's stunning watercolor illustrations create an immersive experience that transports readers back in time. For writers, this book is a perfect example of how to use poetic prose to convey complex emotions and historical events, making them relatable for young readers. Pay attention to how Johnson uses sensory details to bring the story to life. "Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth" by Alice Faye Duncan and Keturah A. Bobo For a more personal and historical perspective, check out "Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free" by Alice Faye Duncan. This book tells the true story of Opal Lee, often called the Grandmother of Juneteenth, who played a pivotal role in making Juneteenth a national holiday. Through her determination and activism, Opal Lee's story comes to life, teaching children about the importance of perseverance and the fight for freedom. Why It's Inspiring: Duncan's storytelling, combined with vivid illustrations, brings Opal Lee's journey to life in an educational and inspiring way. As a writer, experimenting with biographical elements can be a great way to captivate your audience and make historical figures relatable to young readers. Duncan's ability to blend factual history with compelling narrative makes this book a standout. Juneteenth is a powerful subject that offers countless opportunities for storytelling. These three books showcase different approaches—through heartwarming narratives, poetic prose, and biographical storytelling—demonstrating the rich potential of Juneteenth stories. As you craft your own tales, remember to weave in the themes of freedom, resilience, and joy that define this significant day. So, go forth and write the stories that will educate, inspire, and entertain the next generation. Happy writing! Brentom Jackson is an award winning poet/writer, actor and psychotherapist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With poetic voice, theatrical flair, and socio-emotional expertise Brentom tells stories that explore the universal lessons within Black-American history and heritage. His debut picture book Elijah's Easter Suit with Doubleday/Penguin Random House is available now. Follow him on all social media @brentomjackson. www.brentomjackson.com By Melissa Stoller This June, jump into writing practices that will make your stories soar. Here are a few exercises to get you started: Canva Image 1) Jump into five minute brainstorming sprints. Set a timer, and write down all the story ideas that come to mind. 2) Jump into ten minute writing sprints. Set a timer, and write without editing yourself. Just write. 3) Jump into fifteen minute revising sprints. Pick one story and revise for big picture items like theme, plot, and pacing, as well as small picture items like grammar, syntax, and word choice. 4) Jump into twenty minute research sprints. Research more about your topic, whether it’s a fiction or non-fiction story. Dig deep and follow tangents – you might just be able to infuse your story with more authentic details. This month, jump into timed sprints that will help you expand your writing potential. Let me know in the comments if these exercises helped. Happy writing! MELISSA’S BIO: Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. CONNECT WITH MELISSA: https://www.MelissaStoller.com https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller www.twitter.com/melissastoller www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller Thomas Edison said, “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: You haven’t.” The Self-Awareness domain of SEL, includes knowing one’s strengths and limitations and developing an understanding that success requires struggle, effort, and willingness to try new strategies. Seeing mistakes and setbacks as part of learning is vital for developing a “growth mindset.” Failure becomes a motivator, rather than a stopping point. ![]() With this in mind, let’s enter The School of Failure: A Story About Success, written by Rosie J. Pova and illustrated by Monika Filipina (2022, Yeehoo Press). Reminiscent of the maxim, “Don’t let perfect get in the way of good,” this story shows that failure is not the enemy of success. We meet three characters who audition for roles in famous fairy tales. They all fail. Non-Evil Queen is unfit to play an antagonist for Snow White. Wolfred is too nice to be the bad guy in Little Red Riding Hood, and Zinderella does not please Cinderella’s produce. Each declares their failure is “the end of the world.” A fairy godmother announces that instead, the three are “beginning a brand new chapter” and promises that their dreams will come true once they’ve graduated from The School of Failure. As the three students suffer abundant setbacks, they are praised for persevering and “failing your way to fabulous.” The more they fail, the better they understand their strengths and goals. Ultimately, the Non-Evil Queen, Wolfred, and Zinderella learn to live “happily – and imperfectly – ever after.” It's worth noting that fear of failure can block creativity as well as perseverance. Along these lines, I remember sitting in a second-grade classroom during a reading comprehension lesson. A lively discussion of the story stopped when the teacher asked the students to describe the main character’s bedroom. The room fell silent. The story did not describe the main character’s bedroom! Not knowing a correct answer, no one would not risk an incorrect one. When the prompt was rephrased – “Based on what you know about the main character, what do you imagine his bedroom would look like?” – Hands went up, and the room filled with ideas. ![]() As a school psychologist, I’ve written countless reports and presentations outlining challenges facing children and how to provide help and support. This required translating complex concepts of learning, social, emotional, and impulse-control difficulties into simple terms. My published work in that arena includes a relaxation-training curriculum, articles, and book chapters. My children's book manuscripts reflect the children I’ve assisted, my New York/Jewish background (especially tales from my Dad's Brooklyn boyhood) and my quirky sense of humor. - Dr. Debra Collins |
We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our awesome bloggers!!
Here's our lineup: 1st Mondays begin with former school psychologist Dr. Debra Collins who will be writing about Social emotional Learning in kidlit and behind the scenes as well as Jewish children's books. 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books. 3rd Mondays will feature our new blogger coming soon. 4th Mondays features new blogger, the fabulous Brentom Jackson, who has a beautiful approach to blogging. And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break Archives
June 2024
|