Scan barcode
sunflowerjess's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I grew up in the 80s and 90s never learning about Juneteenth or hearing about it. I wish I could say I was the exception, but the majority of my white peers never heard of it either. I also had never heard of Opal Lee before finding this book. I'm on a mission to educate myself and I very much enjoyed this book while doing so.
library_bookwyrm's review
4.0
An excellent introduction to Juneteenth and Opal Lee for littles, which an additional timeline and biographical information at the end, as well as a list of sources for those wanting to dig deeper into the story of this important holiday - as well as a recipe for Red Punch that sounds absolutely delicious!
lahars_little_library's review
3.0
I felt this book was unfocused. I expected more information about Opal Lee and her connection to Juneteenth but didn't get that until the afterward. I also felt the tone of the book was inconsistent- sometimes lyrical, sometimes direct. Many of the metaphors used would be difficult for elementary children to understand so I would have trouble finding an appropriate audience for this book. This was disappointing to me because I am looking for more literature to be introduced on black history especially books marking joyful progress like the acceptance of Juneteenth as a national holiday.
readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
Definitely a book to add to your holiday collection to share the meaning behind the national holiday.
panda_incognito's review
3.0
This picture book briefly introduces the history of Juneteenth, emphasizing the ways that Opal Lee advocated for its adoption as a holiday. The book has great illustrations and easy-to-read writing, and I appreciate the emphasis on family bonds and celebrating together. The book's framing device of a celebration helps contextualize the heavy topic for kids, and the book ends on a hopeful note.
The reason why I am only giving this book three stars is because it does not explain the Emancipation Proclamation in relation to the Civil War. Although I understand the desire to simplify complex history for kids, this book doesn't mention the Civil War until the historical notes at the end, and it seems both strange and potentially confusing to young readers. This book makes it seem like Abraham Lincoln just woke up one day and decided to free everyone, and even though I wouldn't expect a picture book for children to address all of the surrounding legal and social context for this document, it disappointed me that the author sidestepped the war entirely when it is central to the true story.
This picture book provides a child-level explanation of slavery and the creation of the Juneteenth holiday, but because it doesn't address the Civil War, the book profoundly oversimplifies the Emancipation Proclamation and leaves confusing gaps in knowledge related to why it took so long for the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, to know that they were free. Although this book celebrates Opal Lee's activism and provides an adequate explanation of Junteenth for young children, parents and educators who want to provide a full historical explanation of Junteenth should use this as supplementary material.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The reason why I am only giving this book three stars is because it does not explain the Emancipation Proclamation in relation to the Civil War. Although I understand the desire to simplify complex history for kids, this book doesn't mention the Civil War until the historical notes at the end, and it seems both strange and potentially confusing to young readers. This book makes it seem like Abraham Lincoln just woke up one day and decided to free everyone, and even though I wouldn't expect a picture book for children to address all of the surrounding legal and social context for this document, it disappointed me that the author sidestepped the war entirely when it is central to the true story.
This picture book provides a child-level explanation of slavery and the creation of the Juneteenth holiday, but because it doesn't address the Civil War, the book profoundly oversimplifies the Emancipation Proclamation and leaves confusing gaps in knowledge related to why it took so long for the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, to know that they were free. Although this book celebrates Opal Lee's activism and provides an adequate explanation of Junteenth for young children, parents and educators who want to provide a full historical explanation of Junteenth should use this as supplementary material.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
hexed_goldfish's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
zombiezami's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
Minor: Fire/Fire injury