"The Summer Grandma Changed" by Rosalyn Morgan is a touching children’s book about dealing with Alzheimer’s. As we face the reality of aging loved ones—be it Grannies, Papas, Aunties, or Uncles—the signs of Alzheimer’s are there, whether we choose to recognize them or not.
Many of us have loved ones, including my own mom, who have Alzheimer’s. Watching our once active parents and relatives reduced to a shell of their former selves is challenging as an adult, but for a child, it’s even more complex. Accepting that Granny has changed, rarely talks, or needs assistance from a caregiver can be hard to process.
Rosalyn Morgan, a caregiver, felt the need to write a children's companion to her original book, "Laughing To Keep From Crying." Her new book, "The Summer Grandma Changed," helps children understand and cope with the changes that come with Alzheimer's in a loved one. Charles Collectibles and Books rates "The Summer Grandma Changed" 4.5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
NBA Four Time Champion and future Basketball Hall of Famer Stephen Curry introduces young readers to his children’s book I Have a Superpower. Told by numerous people that he couldn’t take his basketball game and skills to the NBA because of his size, Stephen Curry has proven many of his distractors wrong!!! I Have a Superpower inspires young people to hold true to their dreams and to strive to achieve their goals despite what anyone says about them. This amazing book encourages young readers to reach for the stars and not to accept ‘no’ for an answer when setting their goals. With the help of illustrator Geneva Bowers, Stephen Curry brings vibrant pictures to life showing that anyone can achieve their goals despite one’s size. Charles Collectibles and Books rates I Have a Superpower 5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
Nigerian writer Glory Edim introduces readers to her anthology of authors she admires in Well-Read Black Girl. Edim collaborates with several Black female authors in this group of essays. Nominated for an NAACP award, Well-Read Black Girl has become a movement and has inspired the creation of book clubs around the United States and globally. Designed for young adults and adult readers, this book features the works of Jacqueline Woodson, Morgan Jerkins, Tayari Jones and other amazing Black women writers. Charles Collectibles and Books rates Well-Read Black Girl 4.5 out of 5 stars and a must read for women of all ages. Buy Now!
In this illustrated historical fiction book for young readers, author and educator Dr. Sabrina A. Brinson shares the untold story of the first African American Women’s Baseball Team, The Philadelphia Dolly Vardens. The Dolly Vardens played in the late 1880’s during the reconstruction era in and around the Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. While still segregated they played against several other black women's teams and even challenged a few men’s teams as well. Dr. Brinson tells this remarkable and inspiring story of never giving up despite life being unfair through the eyes of a teen girl wanting to play baseball. Little does the girl know that her great, great, great, grandmother was one of the original star pitchers and her guardian angel, directing her path to playing baseball and never giving up! Charles Collectibles and Books rates The Philadelphia Dolly Vandens 5 out of 5 stars. This book is a must have for baseball fans and fans of African American History and Women’s History. 5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
In her novel For Black Girls Like Me, author Mariama J. Lockington introduces young readers to the world of interracial adoption through her experience growing up as a black teen with white parents. Semi-autobiographical, For Black Girls Like Me helps to guide and empower young folks with these circumstances to live their best lives and to know that they’re not alone. Charles Collectibles and Books rates For Black Girls Like Me 4.5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
Legendary teen and young adult author Walter Dean Myers gives readers a view of a young Frederick Douglass. As an enslaved young person, Frederick Bailey–who later changed his last name to Douglass–learned the importance of reading and its perils to Black men as a certain death if caught reading and writing. A desire for freedom caused Frederick to escape on a train headed north to Pennsylvania, a free state for Black people. Charles Collectibles and Books rates Frederick Douglass 5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
Tonya Bolden shares the remarkable story of Victor Hugo Green, the creator of the Green Book traveling guide for African American motorists driving in the segregated South, in her release Going Places. This directory informed Black citizens of hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses that provided services to African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States. At a time when being Black is being challenged daily, it would be nice to have this directory again, including a list of sundown towns across America. The current generation and future generations can truly benefit from this amazing traveling-while-Black resource. Charles Collectibles and Books gives Going Places 5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
Negro Baseball League historian and co-founder of the Negro Baseball League Museum in Kansas City, MO, Phil S. Dixon has released over seven books and numerous articles on the subject matter of Negro Leagues Baseball. I recently had an opportunity to meet Phil at the July 2023 Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference here in Detroit, MI. Phil’s recent release John Buck O’Neil: The Rookie, His Words, His Voice is a must have for baseball fans and black history readers. This interactive book has several QR codes which readers can scan and hear Buck O’Neil in his own voice and words. One of the first Negro Baseball League books I purchased was Phil’s The Negro Baseball Leagues: A Photographic History. Phil travels the United States extensively educating the public about the rich history of the Negro Baseball Leagues and can be seen around the country at colleges, libraries and a baseball stadium near you. As a historian, Phil is an active member of The Society of Baseball Researchers better known as SABR. Phil shares his love of baseball and history in The League, a recent documentary on The Negro Baseball League directed by Sam Pollard. Charles Collectibles and Books rates John Buck O’Neil: The Rookie, His Words, His Voice 5 out of 5 stars. Buy Now!
Author, educator and researcher Tonya Bolden brings audiences Changing The Equation. Changing the Equation is a salute to more than 50 Black women in STEM. Readers have an opportunity to learn about Shirley Ann Jackson, a physicist who brought the world the grocery scanner and the ability to listen to compact discs (CD’s). Another great Black woman of STEM was Patricia E. Bath who received a US patent to remove cataracts via laser treatment. Tonya Bolden’s highlighting of these Black women trailblazers and their inventions–many of which we take for granted in our daily lives–showcases the vital role that Black women have played in the development of the modern world. This book is an inspiration for everyone interested in learning true history, especially Black women and girls. Charles Collectibles and Books rates Changing The Equation 5 out of 5 stars and a must read for everyone. Buy Now!