UB researcher explores how picture books can help children learn Black history

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Teaching Black history in early childhood and elementary classrooms can be a challenging task for educators. The subject is regularly left out in lessons learned by young students. To break this long-standing practice, teachers are using picture books to provide valuable lessons on Black historical figures and events.

Dawnavyn James, a PhD student and graduate fellow with the University at Buffalo Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education, is the author of the book, “Beyond February: Teaching Black History Any Day, Every Day, and All Year Long.” One of her areas of research is studying how picture books can be integrated in the classroom to help educators teach Black history.

Below and to coincide with Black History Month, James offers perspective on how illustrated books can help both students and teachers.

What do picture books offer young students when teaching Black history?

“When teaching Black history, well-written and illustrated picture books offer young students insight into the lives of Black historical figures and provide rich details about Black historical events. Through the author’s and illustrator’s notes, timelines, and glossaries that many Black history picture books contain, these books give both students and teachers more information about the Black history they read about and often spark further inquiry into the moment or person in history.”

How do picture books resonate with students?

“Picture books have been a tool to relay information to children for centuries. There are a few authors who have written about the history of Black women educators who intentionally created curricular materials to inform students of Black history, including the development of children’s literature to acknowledge the vastness of Black history and expose children, especially Black children, to the wonders of Blackness. Other books help young children make sense of race, social justice, and themselves. Think about how many times children, or even we as adults, read the same books over and over again because we’ve enjoyed what we read or because we learn something new each time. Picture books, specifically Black history picture books, are purposefully written with children in mind to inform them of the Black history that is often omitted from the curriculum yet surrounds them every day.”

How can picture books help educators in the classroom?

“Picture books are a staple in early childhood and elementary classrooms and school libraries. Educators learn in their teacher preparation programs about ways to use picture books to teach concepts within literacy and social studies. What I want more educators to embrace is that whether they are knowledgeable of much Black history or not, there are picture books that can lead the way and support their Black history instruction. Yes, educators are engaging with the idea that Black history picture books can support their Black history instruction while also seeing the benefits of integrating these books across content areas outside social studies lessons. Elementary schools across the country have added Black history picture books to their classroom libraries as tools to teach with.”

How can Black history picture books help make better educators?

“I recognize this dual audience with Black history picture books; as much as they are written for kids, educators can learn from these books as well. When I prepared to bring Black history picture books into my classroom, I was learning so much myself. Up until 5th grade I was attending predominantly Black elementary schools that did not teach Black history. My Black history education came from home and church, and as an adult, much of my Black history education now comes from picture books. I often encourage educators to educate themselves when it comes to Black history because children ask questions. It is okay not to know, but it’s helpful to know where to guide students to get the answers. I always recommend that educators deeply read the Black history picture books they bring into their classrooms so that they too can learn before they introduce the book to their students.”