Black Books Galore! Guide to Great African American Children's Books about Girls

Black Books Galore! offers a Guide to Great African American Children's Books About Girls and a Guide to Great African American Children's Books About Boys, both by Donna Rand and Toni Trent Parker. Beginning with introductions that include quotes about the importance of reading from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Marian Wright Edelman and Ed Bradley, the volumes then break into a list of recommended titles, divided by age group, with liberal illustrations of the titles' covers. Occasional spreads feature certain authors or illustrators, such as Pat Cummins, Karen English and Fredrick L. McKissack (in Girls); and Tom Feelings, Eloise Greenfield and Julius Lester (in Boys). A sprinkling of title endorsements from readers themselves is also included. A helpful index of titles by topic concludes these thoughtful volumes. (Wiley, $15.95 paper each 256p ages 5-up ISBN 0-471-37526-8; -37527-6; Jan.)