The father of Black History Month: Carter Reads the Newspaper

Today’s picture book pick is…

Carter Reads the Newspaper

Written by Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrated by Don Tate

Published by Peachtree Publishing in 2019.

Summary

The biography of Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month.

First line

“Each February we celebrate Black History Month. It’s a time to honor heroes like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr.”

Favorite line

“At Harvard, so the story goes, one of Carter’s professors said that Black people had no history…The professor challenged Carter to prove him wrong. For the rest of his life, Carter did just that.’

Carter Woodson’s story inspired me. I love how Deborah not only tells us Carter’s story, but also the stories of those who influenced him. I felt inspired when Carter stood up to his professor who said that Black people had no history—Carter created an entire week which turned into a month dedicated to that history.

Don Tate’s illustrations are dynamic and interesting. I love how he weaves together the past and the present throughout the story which supports Carter’s entire mission. My favorite spread is the one where Carter is struggling in the mines with a tear running down his face — we see the struggle but also the strength.

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