SESSION: Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival: Black Books Matter Today & Every Day

About this session

Session Host: Beautiful Blackbird Festival Children's Book Festival

Time: Self-Directed

Format: Children's Program via Video Content

Speaker: Various

Description: The Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival, a project celebrating the voices, artistry, and impact of Black children's literature, is open to you all year round. Visit the festival for video read aloud's with creator interviews, art activities, and educational opportunities. Watch for a new selection of books in August 2021!


Indigo Arts Alliance, in partnership with I'm Your Neighbor Books and Diverse BookFinder, produces this annual festival to honor Black children's book legend Ashley Bryan and his classic book Beautiful Blackbird.

Read & Engage with the Themes of Black Roots, Resilience & Identity

Explore why "Black Books Matter" year round:

Educators, Librarians and Families: take the conversation deeper with the Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival Educator's Toolkit.

Beautiful Blackbird

By Ashley Bryan

Published by Simon & Schuster

Read Aloud & Creator Interview

Art Project

Dance Challenge

Going Down Home with Daddy

By Kelly Starling Lyons & illustrated by Daniel Minter

Published by Peachtree Publishing

Read Aloud & Creator Interview

Art Project

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

By Samara Cole Doyon & illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Published by Tilbury House Publishing

Read Aloud & Creator Interview

Wherever I Go

By Mary Wagley Copp & illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed

Published by Simon & Schuster

Read Aloud & Creator Interview

Art Project

Explore other connections to the Arts.

Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations

By Kelly Starling Lyons & illustrated by Keith Mallett

Published by Nancy Paulson Books

Read Aloud & Creator Interview

Activities: Explore the history and the impact of the song with these activities.