Kids’ books that celebrate history play a huge role in empowering, educating, and inspiring readers of all ages. They not only help educate and bring awareness to historical events, but it helps them appreciate a variety of cultures and build a sense of identity. With the Juneteenth holiday approaching, it’s a great opportunity to share its importance with your kids of all ages. And what better way to get the conversation started than with Juneteenth books?
What is Juneteenth?
The 19th of June is Juneteenth (June + nineteenth). It is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day. First celebrated in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 in the aftermath of the Civil War, it’s the day that African Americans learned that they were free.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation came two-and-a-half years earlier on January 1, 1863, many slaveowners continued to hold enslaved Black people captive after the announcement, and Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African-American freedom. In 2021, Juneteenth became an official U.S. federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
For families with young children, reading books is a great way to spark conversation to help them understand the history and importance of Juneteenth. Here are 15 books to help you celebrate Juneteenth with your kids whether they are babies or high schoolers.
Babies & Toddlers
Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth This board book from Mudpuppy is a wonderful introduction to Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States on June 19th commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Colorful illustrations show various ways people celebrate the anniversary of freedom for all! (Amazon)
Preschool
Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas — the 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. (Amazon)
Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise This inspiring Little Golden Book tells the story of one young boy’s first experience celebrating Juneteenth. (Amazon)
Elementary School
Juneteenth for Mazie Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth. (Amazon)
Things Kids Should Know about Juneteenth This Book is a captivating and informative guide to the history and significance of Juneteenth. (Amazon)
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States With colorful illustrations and a timeline, this introductory history of Juneteenth for kids details the evolution of the holiday commemorating the date the enslaved people of Texas first learned of their freedom. (Amazon)
J is for Juneteenth This book was written by three young writers as part of a collaborative youth writing competition hosted by Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. Spelling out the word “Juneteenth” (“J is for Justice, U is for Union Army. . .”), the authors share with readers a thoughtful celebration of the history of Juneteenth. (Amazon)
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free Black activist Opal Lee had a vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone. This true story celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday. Join Opal on her historic journey to recognize and celebrate “freedom for all.” (Amazon)
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis. (Amazon)
Middle School
What is Juneteenth? (What Was?) Discover more about Juneteenth, the important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. (Amazon)
Juneteenth: Freedom Day Provides the story of how this holiday, marking the Emancipation Proclamation, spontaneously began on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, and grew from there into a nationwide celebration of freedom among African Americans. (Amazon)
The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure This interactive story lets young readers role-play life as a freed slave. They’ll have to overcome obstacles on their way North, find their lost family, and stand up for their rights when they are still being treated as a slave. This unique interactive storybook makes history real for middle-grade students. (Amazon)
High School
Come Juneteenth How could the state of Texas keep the news of the Emancipation Proclamation from reaching slaves? In this riveting Great Episodes historical drama, Ann Rinaldi sheds light on the events that led to the creation of Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom that continues today. (Amazon)
Tiny’s Emancipation The Soung Texans series spotlights the origin of Juneteenth. (Amazon)
Juneteenth: A Novel by Ralph Ellison In Juneteenth, Ralph Ellison evokes the rhythms of jazz and gospel and ordinary speech to tell a powerful tale of a prodigal son in the twentieth century. At the time of his death in 1994, Ellison was still expanding his novel in other directions, envisioning a grand, perhaps multivolume, story cycle. (Amazon)
How do you celebrate and honor Juneteenth with your family?
