Celebrate Juneteenth by sharing these stories with your young learners!
This post contains affiliate links.
Juneteenth is now a federally recognized holiday after over 150 years of being celebrated in the United States. Juneteenth stands for June 19th, the day on which enslaved people in Texas were finally notified of their freedom by the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. They were notified in 1865 – two years after the proclamation was signed! Starting in 1866, June 19 became an annual celebration of our freedom. Black people beyond Texas began to celebrate, and now, people all around the US celebrate! These books below help tell the story of Juneteenth to young readers from 0 to tweens. I am so excited that more people to know about Juneteenth and want to share this knowledge with their children, as well. I hope you enjoy learning about Juneteenth together and celebrating it, as well!
17 Children’s Book To Share the Story and History of Juneteenth
“Juneteenth: Freedom Day”
by Muriel Miller Branch
Ages 5+, Kindergarten+
What is Juneteenth? Many children across the nation don’t understand the significance of this holiday or how it is celebrated. Using rhyming words and age-appropriate imagery, this book seeks to provide children with some historical background on importance of the day union soldiers arrived in Galveston through a child’s eyes. The story of Juneteenth came to be celebrated is depicted in an easy to read and relatable format. This book is appropriate for all ages.
“Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth”
by Tonya Abari
Ages – Baby – 5, Grades PK-K
Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth 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!
“The Story of Juneteenth”
by Dorena Williamson
Ages 2-5, Grades PK-K
Introduce little learners to the Juneteenth holiday with this 250-word board book about its origins and traditions.
See also: 20 Inspirational Children’s Books by Black Authors
“Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise” (Little Golden Book)
by Lavaille Lavette
Ages 2-5, Grades PK-K
This inspiring Little Golden Book tells the story of one young boy’s first experience celebrating Juneteenth. When Jayylen’s grandfather, Paw Paw Jimmy, begins preparing for a big Juneteenth celebration, Jayylen has a lot of questions. Most importantly, what is Juneteenth? His mother and Paw Paw Jimmy explain that the holiday marks the anniversary of when enslaved African Americans found out that they were free.
“Juneteenth for Mazie”
by Floyd Cooper
Ages 3-8, Grades 1-4
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.
“The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story”
by Glenda Armand
Ages 4-8, Grades PK-3
This moving picture book tells the story of Juneteenth with all the care and reverence such a holiday deserves. The rhyming text and stunning illustrations will teach children about this historic day in history.
“Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy”
by Van G. Garrett
Ages 4-8, Grades PK-3
A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas—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.
“A Flag for Juneteenth”
By Kim Taylor
Ages 4-8, Grades PK-3
Expert quilter Kim Taylor shares a unique and powerful story of the celebration of the first Juneteenth, from the perspective of a young girl.
“Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom”
by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Ages 5-8, Grades K-3
Some call it Freedom Day; some call it Emancipation Day; some call it Juneteenth. Learn more about this important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States in this Step 3 History Reader.
“Juneteenth: A Children’s Story Special Edition”
by Opal Lee
Ages 5-8, Grades K-3
The ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth, ‘ Ms. Opal Lee advocates for the power of education to change the world. As an engaging and captivating way to introduce the history of slavery and freedom to children in words they can understand, Ms. Opal highlights the celebration of Juneteenth and the importance of commemorating this milestone all across America. Juneteenth: A Children’s Story Special Edition will help to facilitate conversation and deeper learning about this important part of United States history now marked as a national holiday.
“All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom”
by Angela Johnson
Ages 5-9, Grades K-4
Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms.
“Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth”
by Alice Faye Duncan
Ages 6-8, Grades PK-3
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.”
“Juneteenth Jamboree”
by Carlos Boston Weatherford
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-5
Joining her parents in a community celebration of Juneteenth, Cassie learns about the day when slaves in Texas were freed some two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and wonders why the news took so long to reach them.
“The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States”
by Alliah L. Agostiini
Ages 4-11, Grades 1-4
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.
“The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers”
by Arlisha Norwood PhD
Ages 6-11, Grades 2-3
An introduction to the history of Juneteenth for kids ages 6 to 9.
“Juneteenth (On My Own Holidays)”
by Drew Nelson and Vaunda Micheaux
Ages 7-10, Grades 2-4
Every year, people all over the United States come together on June 19th to celebrate the end of slavery. Join in the celebration of Juneteenth, a day to remember and honor freedom for all people. Encourage understanding of diverse cultures. Featuring full-page illustrations, these beautiful editions look at the history and customs associated with various holidays and present early readers with high-interest offerings.
“What is Juneteenth? (What Was?)”
by Kirsti Jewel
Agest 8-12, Grades 3-7
Discover more about Juneteenth, the important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. With 80 black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insert, readers will be excited to read this latest addition to Who HQ!
MORE Juneteenth Books for Kids
With Juneteenth being the newest federal holiday and more people discovering its story, there are more books than I could list in one post. Here are some more titles all about Juneteenth:
A Kids Book About Juneteenth by Garrison Hayes | Amazon | Bookshop
All Good in the Hood by Dwayne Reed | Amazon | Bookshop
Eboni’s Juneteenth Celebration by Debbie R. Norton | Amazon
Things Kids Should Know About Juneteenth by Educational Parade | Amazon
Juneteenth!: A Celebration – 2nd Edition by Courtney Juste | Amazon | Bookshop
Juneteenth (Beautiful Me) by Anece Rochelle | Amazon
Juneteenth Joy and Celebration: The Twins Take a Cultural Roadtrip by Shawnta Auston | Amazon | Bookshop
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom by Charles A. Taylor | Amazon
The History of Juneteenth (History of Our Holidays) by Maximilian Smith | Amazon | Bookshop
Juneteenth: Freedom Day by Muriel Miller Branch | Amazon
The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose: History) by Steven Otfinoski | Amazon | Bookshop
J is for Juneteenth by Ngeri Azuewah, Mariah Cross, et al. | Amazon | Bookshop
The Story of Freedom: A Juneteenth Tale by Beauty in Books | Amazon | Bookshop
Why We Celebrate Juneteenth: The Day Of Jubilee by Keeya McSwain | Amazon | Bookshop
The Juneteenth Festival (Achievers series) by Jasmine Furr | Amazon | Bookshop
The ABCs of Juneteenth by Shakeema Funchess | Amazon | Bookshop
Which book do you think your learner would love the most? Or did I leave off one of your young reader’s favorite books about Juneteenth? Leave a comment and let me know! And until next time…
Save this post on Pinterest!
Get Literary Inspiration for Kids Wherever YOU Are!
Join the Tiny Green Earthling community on more platforms:
Leave a Reply