Drew NelsonJuneteenth (On My Own Holidays)

We take our kids to a big local Juneteenth celebration every year and we've talked with them about what it celebrates, but wanted to get a book that gets more into it. This is a great choice. It does not sugar coat slavery, but do not underestimate what your kids can handle, you don't need to worry that it's too much for them. Though if you're reading reviews for a book about Juneteenth, you probably already know your kids can handle it. The writing is lyrical. The pictures are gorgeous. This is a beautiful book that gets to the heart of the story of Juneteenth.

Very easy read and understandable for kids

This was a gift for a Young girl, who wanted to Know about Juneteenth, she was very Pleased.

Thank you

Looking for a good book on Juneteenth or trying to find one that tells a good story then read Juneteenth by Vaunda Nelson a wonderful narrative. The artistic work of Mark Schroder really supports her storytelling. The story has good depth; beginning in Galveston, Texas, but exploring how Africans were brought to America as slaves and how those living in 1865 were most likely born in servitude. But, freedom was always the desires, dreams and on the wind for enslaved African-Americans. When freedom finally arrives one normal day, it’s a day of smiles, hurrahs, tears, praying and searching. That normal day becomes one that will never be forgotten in Galveston and America. The story captures how the “freedom news” traveled on the wind, ran through fields and was delivered by mule and on horseback. The excitement commentates with a jubilee called “Juneteenth.” The joy of the day explodes in this telling as recognition of freedom for all people and slavery, never again. Highly recommended reading.

The illustrations are captivating. The soil looks so dark and rich, you can almost smell it. The excitement as the message is passed along, the life-changing expressions on the faces of the people, the energy of the illustrations -- this is simply an excellent way to impress upon children how meaningful and life-changing the news of FREEDOM was.There is misleading information in the second part of the book, "Slavery": "Beginning in 1619, these things happened to millions of African people. They were taken to North America and to other places as slaves." Slavery was a human universal that stretched back into pre-history, so nailing it down with a "start date" isn't good scholarship. And while millions of Africans were brought to the New World, something like 650,000 came to the United States. It would have been nice to have that distinction made.The book does a great job explaining (and illustrating) Juneteenth traditions. And the book uses complete and grammatical sentences, which is a delightful way to teach children.Freedom is worth celebrating!

I loved the author's reading of her book as well, and look forward to a new version where the term "slaves" is replaced with "enslaved people", as she did in her read aloud. Really helped teach our son our country's history.