November 2019 | MahoganyBooks Children’s Bestsellers
#1 – Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer #1 by David Crownson
When slave owners can’t stop the formidable ninja warrior Harriet Tubman, they call on the help of Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, & Demons to stop her. Harriet Tubman must lead a family of slaves to freedom while battling an army of darkness.
A fictional take on the real life of a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, who freed approximately 1000 slaves in her history as one of the nation’s fiercest abolitionists and freedom fighters. Crowson decided to extend that story to include Demons.
“If Abraham Lincoln can fight vampires, why not right?
This first issue jumps right into the story when Caesar Edgefield wakes Venus Edgefield from her bed and tells her that they need to leave. In the dead of night they leave the plantation and meet Caesar’s wife Catherine who has procured a horse and wagon from another plantation. (this isn’t strange because many times slaves were sent between plantations to run errands and retrieve items for neighboring masters). It’s also not strange that masters often hired militia to patrol the roads at night to make sure that no slaves tried to escape.
What is strange is for those patrols to not just kill slaves but EAT them… because vampires
Review Courtesy of the BlerdGurl
#2 – Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer #2 by David Crownson
A stampede of vampires chase Harriet & The Edgefields through the forest. Harriet encounters mysterious loved one from her past.
“Action. There are so many glamour shots in this comic, I want to post half the book in gallery style along with the review. But I won’t. Because you need to go purchase and read it for yourself. The art in this issue is devilishly beautiful. Vazquez’s The minor details like the cotton candy-like bushiness of Venus’ hair or the grotesque features of the vampire pack that’s chasing the Edgefield’s really make the book stand out.
It’s a treat to see. There are also a series of pages used for flashbacks in which all is black and white save for the color red that Burcham really makes shine. This masterful work, and I love style. Top that off with Ellis’ immaculate word balloon placement and long tails for dialogue and you’ve got something special. Every page ramps the action up to another level and there aren’t any low points.”
#3 – Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vasti Harrison
New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison shines a bold, joyous light on black men through history.
An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history.
Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, musician Prince, photographer Gordon Parks, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.
The legends in this book span centuries and continents, but what they have in common is that each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.
#4 – I’m A Pretty Little Black Girl! by Betty K. Bynum
In this first book in Bynum’s planned I’m a Girl Collection, heroine Mia isn’t lacking in self-esteem: “When I see myself in the mirror, I twirl,/ And I yell, ‘I’m a pretty little black girl!’
I’M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL! introduces adorable Mia, who wakes with her hair “just-a-going every which-a-ways!” With her abundant energy and joy leading the way, readers follow Mia as she plays with her friends who are all shades, shapes and sizes.
There’s tall Kia, Keisha the reader, Charlotte her best friend, Dina Rose-Marie the artist, Imani the dancer, Anna who loves sports, Ruby the singer, and honey-haired Tracy.
Mia finds that “Pretty” is within herself and her friends, and being pretty is way beyond what the mirror shows.
#5 – I’m A Brilliant Little Black Boy! by Joshua B. Drummond
Finally a gloriously designed and joyful, colorful picture book to celebrate our little Black boys with LOVE!
Meet our newest character, Joshua! He is a little boy who has big dreams and ideas as BRILLIANT as the stars!
With all of his good friends, Joshua’s days are filled with adventures where books, a telescope, a red-superhero cape, rhyming hip-hop verse, twinkling fireflies that light up the magical summer skies above a card board fort in the park― and so much more ― is just what boyhood innocence and imagination is all about.
Kind, smart, creative and always thinking― Joshua learns that through studying, good deeds, working hard and aiming to be brilliant . . . we can really shine!
Honorable Mention – Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.
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