28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World - Charles R. Smith Jr. and Shane W. Evans

Each day features a different influential figure in African-American history, from Crispus Attucks, the first man shot in the Boston Massacre, sparking the Revolutionary War, to Madame C. J. Walker, who after years of adversity became the wealthiest black woman in the country, as well as one of the wealthiest black Americans, to Barack Obama, the country's first African-American president.

This book is a unique addition to the body of children's non-fiction and picturebooks. The book serves as both a timeline of important moments in African American history and as a possible guide for celebrating Black History Month through a day-by-day guide. Smith's writing is wonderfully complemented by beautiful illustrations from Shane W. Evans. From portrait-like images, to more abstract art, from early figures in the fight for civil rights (Crispus Attucks), to African Americans in contemporary contexts (Barack Obama), covering men and women, lower class to middle class, individuals to groups, this book covers a lot of ground in an accessible way for young audiences and for adults who wish to read the book aloud.

Some may see the amount of text as excessive, but I feel that Smith manages to explain these important historical moments sensitively and without being overly wordy. I would recommend this beautiful book to librarians, teachers, parents, and young readers. I feel that this will become an important resource for those interested in understanding history to a greater degree, and also for those looking for more diverse literature in their collections. I Highly Recommend this book and hope you will find a way to get it into the hands of parents and children.

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