February Bookshelf

The three titles in my February Bookshelf inspired me. They spoke to me and made me want to be better. I hope that they leave you with that feeling too. Whether you choose to purchase them or request them from your local library I hope you will check them out. My goal with the monthly bookshelves this year is to share titles that leave me wanting to be better. I want to give you options to read with your littles that will make their home libraries more inclusive.

Beauty Woke – Joy is resistance. I saw this book at the library and was drawn in by the cover art. Do you see how beautiful the cover is? The illustrations inside the story are just as gorgeous. I loved how Paola Escobar captured Beauty’s family and neighborhood. It is both realistic and magical at the same time. What stands out is that while the illustrations and story are woven together melodically, NoNieqa paints a picture of the story even without the illustrations. When Beauty learns that the world doesn’t see the beauty in her world I want to cry for her. The concern is her family and how they come together to continue to protect her and pour love into her reminds me of how strong our ancestors are, It reminds me that every blessing bestowed is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility. This book makes me proud of my heritage. This book makes me want to share the beauty of the Bronx, of Puerto Rico, of being Aftro-Latina.

Go Forth and Tell – I was a library kid and am now raising a library kid in the New York Public Library system, yet I had never heard about Augusta Baker before reading this book! I’m disappointed in myself. Now that I know her story, I want to go forth and tell everyone to read it! It is a beautiful story not only of Augusta Baker’s life but also the story of literacy. We often think of literacy only as reading but storytelling is such an important part of it. Augusta’s love of stories came from the gift of storytelling shared by her grandmother and others. Her legacy lives on in the shelves of libraries everywhere. She inspired so many to tell their stories and we are fortunate enough to visit those libraries and read those stories.

The Girl Who Figured It Out -Talk about being an inspiration! Minda Denton became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship Triathlon. Her story reminds us that when you have people in your life who believe in you, you truly can do anything. Minda wrote this story for her daughter who will know that she can do and be anything because she has a mom that loves and supports her. Minda also gave us this story as a gift so we can be inspired to be our best selves by always working towards our goals.