The theme of Black History Month 2021 is the Black family, the families we choose, the families we make and the families we build. To help you celebrate Black History Month as a family, the Library has put together an amazing calendar of books, movies and music for kids and teens from your youngest reader to your high school senior. All of these can be checked out with your
library card!
Week of Feb. 1
Feb. 1 | Board Books for Babies and Toddlers
Perfect for sharing with your little reader, these board books celebrate mealtime, naptime, bathtime and so much more.
Feb. 2 | Picture Book Bedtime Stories
Share cuddles, snuggles and kisses as you read these picture book stories about puppy trucks, homemade rocket ships and the comfort of bedtime routines with your young reader.
Feb. 3 | Beginning Readers
Support and encourage your child's journey to become an independent reader with these fun stories that get young readers thinking about making good choices, too.
Feb. 4 | Juvenile Fiction Chapter Book Series
Looking for a series to keep your child hooked on reading? Try these titles that feature characters your child will love spending time with through multiple adventures.
Feb. 5 | Older Elementary & Middle Grade Fiction
From dragons to missing inheritances, check out our list of page-turning fantasy, sci-fi, & realistic fiction for older elementary and younger middle school readers.
Feb. 6 | Young Adult Fiction
Enjoy reading fantasy? Mysteries? Or is realistic fiction more your jam? We've gathered some of our favorite titles. Check one out today!
Week of Feb. 7
Feb. 7 | Adult for Young Adult
Ever wonder what books our children's and young adult librarians would recommend to teens ready to transition to adult fiction and nonfiction? Check out our Adult for Young Adult readers list to find out.
Feb. 8 | For Our Children
For parents, teachers, educators, and caregivers who want to see Blackness and lead toward a future of equity and inclusion, we encourage you to check out this list of resources. The list also includes books for children and young adults of all ages as a place to start conversations with our children.
Feb. 9 | Empowering Picture Books for Young Children
Being seen and loved by ourselves and others for who you are is powerful. Embrace, celebrate and empower Black children by reading the picture book stories on this list to the children in your lives.
Feb. 10 | Picture Books that Celebrate Families
Celebrate Black History Month by celebrating family! The family we choose. The family we make. The family we build.
Feb. 11 | Family Movies on DVD
Celebrate Black History Month by watching a movie that focuses on Black characters and stories. The movies on our are list feature Black actors, screenwriters, producers, or directors and are rated G through PG-13.
Feb. 12 | Black Joy Dance Mix for Families
Get ready to for a family dance party in your kitchen or living room! Our Black Joy Dance Mix for Families is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping playlist available on Freegal that will have you singing along.
Click here to listen.
Feb. 13 | Stories of Black Athletes
On an unfair and unequal playing field, these Black athletes not only celebrated the joy of sport but owned it as well. This list includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories.
Week of Feb. 14
Feb. 14 | Stories of Black Dancers
Rhythm, balance, & coordination are all an integral part of dance. However, these picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories show that finding your voice can be the most beautiful dance of all.
Feb. 15 | Black Political Leaders & Voting Rights
Celebrate Presidents Day through the lens of Black history. Our list of picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories encourages us to learn more about our trailblazing Black political leaders while acknowledging the struggle to achieve equal voting rights.
Feb. 16 | Stories of Black Activists
From riding a carousel to desegregating a public library, these picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories about activism and peaceful resistance will inspire.
Feb. 17 | Stories of Black Music and Musicians
From jazz &, blues, to the sounds of Motown, & hip-hop, Black contributions to music are undeniable. Celebrate Black music & musicians with these picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories.
Feb. 18 | Stories of Black Leaders in STEM
From physicians to architects, success in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math is a fact for these Black leaders. This list includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories.
Feb. 19 | Stories of Black Writers
Writing is personal. At its best, writing lays the innermost self bare to the reader. Celebrate this by reading some of the most personal works of Black authors and learning more about them.
Feb. 20 | Stories of Black Artists
Stunning works of art are more than beauty. They are a pathway to self-discovery and a means to see ourselves. Whether you prefer to view or create art, these picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories of Black artists are sure to inspire you.
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Week of Feb. 21
Feb. 21 | Adult Documentaries on DVD for Young Adults
Filled with images, letters, music, and featuring oral history interviews, these documentaries are a lens to our past. Celebrate Black history by seeing and understanding some of our proudest and most shameful moments as a nation.
Feb. 22 | Historical Fiction for Middle Grade, & Young Adults
Rich in character, these page-turning fictional stories for middle and young adult readers will lead to a deeper understanding of systematic racism in America.
Feb. 23 | Stories by Afro-Latinx Authors
Celebrate Black History Month by reading diversely! Check out these picture book, middle grade, and young adult titles by Afro-Latinx authors.
Feb. 24 | Graphic Novels for All Ages
We call them graphic novels. You probably call them comic books. The terminology doesn't matter. Those of us who read them know their magic. Their power to impact our personal origin story. This list features stories for children and young adults of all ages.
Feb. 25 | Poetry for All Ages
Poetry is music in language. It is feeling captured in concise language. Discover the beauty of poetry and the rich stories of love, joy, confusion, and pain told within its lines. This list features poetry for children and young adults of all ages.
Feb. 26 | Fairy, Folk, Ghost & Tall Tales for All Ages
Tales implant themselves so deep in our hearts they reside there. They are both personal and universal. Whether you enjoy fairy, folk, ghost, or tall tales, you're sure to find a tale to live in your heart from our list. This list features tales for children and young adults if all ages.
Feb. 27 | Ella Jenkins List
A leading performer of children's music for over fifty years, Ella Jenkins is "The First Lady of the Children's Folk Song." Discover why children and children's librarians love this Black icon with our Freegal playlist tribute.
Click here to listen.
Week of Feb. 28
Feb. 28 | Coretta Scott King Book Awards
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognize African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Check out the 2021 selections with your library card.
