Juneteenth Reads for Families and Children: Celebrate Freedom Together
- 06/13/2025
- 11:42
- maureen
Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, observed annually on June 19. Families can celebrate more than 160 years of freedom by learning more about this federal holiday — its rich history, traditions, and ongoing significance.
Seymour Library has a wonderful selection of Juneteenth reads with children’s books that celebrate freedom, perseverance, culture, and unity. Whether you’re looking to read together as a family or find resources for children to explore on their own, these books illuminate the story of Juneteenth in a way that resonates with all ages
Juneteenth Reads: Our Collection of Children’s Books and Picture Books
Our collection of children’s books and picture books offers a rich and vivid window into the stories of freedom, perseverance, culture, and unity that define Juneteenth. These books celebrate Black history and traditions in a way that resonates with children of all ages — from colorful picture books perfect for reading aloud together, to more detailed children’s books that allow young readers to explore this important holiday in depth.
Whether you’re reading together at storytime or letting children explore books on their own, this collection aims to illuminate the rich legacy of freedom, justice, and hope that Juneteenth embodies.
Children’s Book List — Celebrate Black Culture and History
- Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom by Sharon Dennis Wyeth (published 2022)
- Juneteenth by Van G. Garrett (published 2023)
- The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers by Arlisha Norwood (published 2022)
- Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper (published 2023)
- The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate by Alliah L. Agostini (published 2024)
- Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett (published 2024)
- A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor (published 2023)
- Juneteenth by Kevin P. Winn (published 2022)
- Juneteenth by Lynn Peppas (published 2010)
- All Good in the Hood by Dwayne Reed (published 2023)
- So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story by Anne Wynter (published 2025)
- Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise by Lavaille Lavette (published 2023)
- The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini (published 2025)
- Freedom Celebration: A Juneteenth Party by Angela Dalton (published )
- The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand (published 2023)
- Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid-Rolle ( published 2022)
- They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park by Tonya Duncan Ellis (published 2024)
- Tell Me About Juneteenth by Kortney Nash (published 2025)
Explore the Conscious Child Book Kit Collection!
The Conscious Child Book Kit is a collection of book discussion kits designed to help children and families explore racial equity, identity, and justice. Each kit includes books, activity guides, and conversation starters — perfect for extending the reading experience and deepening understanding.
Each Conscious Child Book Kit includes a selection of books along with a discussion guide. There are different kits available to check out, each focusing on one of these topics:
- Identity & Belonging
- Immigration & Refuges
- Joy & Self-Love
- Justice & Systemic Racism
- Solidarity & Activism
Other Resources to Celebrate and Learn
Hoopla — Journey to Juneteenth with Your Family:
Hoopla offers a curated collection of e-books and audiobooks to celebrate and learn more about this holiday together. Want to learn more about borrowing from our digital collection?
Additional Blogs for More Recommendations:
PBS Parents — 7 Books for Celebrating Juneteenth
HarperCollins — Children’s Books to Commemorate Juneteenth
Read Brightly — Kids’ Books for Juneteenth
ParentMap — Celebrate with Stories of Freedom
Safe Shores — Children’s Books to Read About Juneteenth
Juneteenth is more than just a holiday — it’s a powerful opportunity to reflect on Black history, celebrate freedom, and pass those stories forward to future generations. Through these books, children and families can connect with the rich legacy of this day in a way that’s thoughtful, celebratory, and empowering.