In this poignant picture book, we delve into the significance of Juneteenth with the utmost reverence and care that this momentous occasion deserves. Through eloquent rhymes and captivating illustrations, young readers will gain insight into the historical significance of this pivotal day.
What reviewers are saying
- Rhythmic and familiar meter: Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly both point to how the book borrows the anapestic meter of Clement C. Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," building anticipation and making the history memorable for young readers.
- Vibrant, expressive art: Corey Barksdale's oil pastel and mixed-media illustrations have drawn praise for their saturated color and movement, in a style that echoes late-19th-century African American folk art and carries the emotional weight of emancipation.
- An intergenerational frame: Reviewers highlight the device of a modern-day Black family gathering in Galveston, Texas, for an elder's annual retelling — grounding the historical event in family warmth and living memory.
- Real classroom value: School Library Journal calls it an essential, joyful addition to elementary classrooms and libraries, balancing historical accuracy with a celebratory narrative.
"Twas the night before freedom, and all through the South, long-whispered rumors had spread word of mouth. "It's coming! It's coming!" voices did convey — Emancipation, the dawning of a brighter day.
Eight-year-old David and his family gather at Grandma's house in Galveston, Texas, for a treasured family tradition: her annual retelling of the Juneteenth story. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln, freed enslaved people in the rebellious states as of January 1, 1863 — but word didn't reach Texas until June 19, 1865, two and a half years later.
Grandma tells the story of anticipation, emancipation, and jubilation just as it was told to her by her own grandmother, Mom Bess, who was six years old on that first Juneteenth. The text moves in the same rhythmic meter as Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas," pairing the joy of the holiday with the history that precedes it.
Corey Barksdale's mixed-media illustrations — acrylic, oil, and pastel watercolor pencil — carry that history in bright, resplendent double-page spreads, giving young readers a window into the anticipation of that day and the exuberance of what finally arrived.
Book details
- Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House (May 2, 2023)
- Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
- ISBN-13: 978-0593567463
- Reading age: 4–8 years, PreK–3rd grade (also recommended for grades K–5 by School Library Journal)
A dedication
"This book is dedicated to my daughter, Nora, for being the light in my life and for insisting that I try various creative outlets and forms of expression. And to all my strong, resilient, and amazing ancestors, who paved the way for me to be here today." — Corey Barksdale
