A gorgeous, imagination-sparking introduction to the beauty and interconnectedness of the Black diaspora. 
A young girl living on the coast of South Carolina dreams of her distant relatives on the shores of Africa and beyond. Indigo Dreaming is a poetic meditation between two young girls—on different sides of the sea—who wonder about how they are intricately linked by culture, even though they are separated by location. The girls’ reflections come together, creating an imaginative and illuminating vision of home, as well as a celebration of the Black diaspora. 
This gorgeous lyrical tale engages the senses and evokes childlike curiosity and wonder.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreS-Gr 2—A young girl with brown skin and black hair wonders if somewhere across the ocean is another girl like her. Johnson's near-rhyming verse is as lulling as the sea: "Every morning at day-clean, when the sun is just about to rise, I pretend that Indigo Beach is mine!" Cunha's textured soft pastels create a wistful, dreamy atmosphere. Through the girl's musings readers will learn words and phrases specific to her culture: day-clean, sweetgrass, goobers, Frogmore Stew, Karimba music. The author's note explains that people who live on the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida sea islands are called Gullah or GeeChee and descend from Sierra Leone. Relative isolation has preserved their culture and language and they still have much in common with their ancestors today. VERDICT A gorgeous book that will touch every child's longing to connect with someone "out there" who is like them. —Hillary Perelyubskiy

Indigo Dreaming

Children's Books

Johnson, Dinah

Literature & Fiction

Harpercollins

This richly informative and gorgeously illustrated book celebrates Harlem’s vibrant traditions, past and present.\nA is for Apollo Theatre 
L is for Liberation Bookstore 
U is for Uptown\nDiscover the Harlem icons that have defined generations of American culture. Harlem is full of remarkable treasures, including museums, performance spaces, community centers, and more—all of which come to life in this lavish celebration of Harlem as an epicenter of African American history and a vibrant neighborhood that continues to shape our world. At once a love letter and a rich alphabetical archive, H Is for Harlem highlights communities and traditions that connect our past and present.

H Is for Harlem

History

Christy Ottaviano Books

A stunning picture book biography about the early life of Ida B. Wells, her incredible work as a suffragist, and her critical role in the Women's March of 1913. Ida B. Wells grew up during a time when women did not have the right to vote. But Ida aspired for equality; she had learned from her parents to forge a life through hope and bravery, so she worked tirelessly to fight for an America that was fair to everyone regardless of race and gender. Her courageous activism made her one of the most influential civil rights leaders in American history. Here is Ida's story with a specific spotlight on her fearless role in the Women's March of 1913.

Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote

A tender and lyrical portrayal of the special relationship between a young African-American girl and her grandmother, by an acclaimed author and an award-winning illustrator. "Quinnie Blue, Did your mama teach you about the family tree?" Through a series of thoughtful questions and vivid reflections, a young girl imagines what childhood was like for her grandmother-- Hattie Lottie Annie Quinnie Blue--the woman she is named after. In this exceptional picture book, Dinah Johnson's expressive language joyously invokes the spirit of an African-American community. James Ransome's beautiful paintings depict in turn the past and present generations of a family, and a special relationship that connects the two. Quinnie Blue is a wonderful celebration of family roots and the passing on of heritage.

Quinnie Blue

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

With charm and grace, this celebratory picture book takes young readers through the daily chores and activities of each weekday--from hanging out the wash to jumping Double Dutch--all in anticipation of Sunday. Once this special day finally arrives, it is filled with prayer, song and dance, savory food, storytelling, country drives, and most of all, family warmth and cheer. Dinah Johnson's vibrant, engaging language and Tyrone Geter's handsome illustrations joyfully embrace the faith and spirituality within an African-American community and beyond.

Sunday Week

This special picture book offers a window into the African American community of Columbia, South Carolina, during the early twentieth century. While the town is specific, the themes and photographs are universal--weddings and funerals, teachers and preachers, sassy cars and baseball teams, and, of course, families of all sizes. More than half a century later, Richard Samuel Roberts's photographs and Dinah Johnson's lyrical text come together to illustrate the pride, joy, and strength of a bustling community.

All Around Town: The Photographs of Richard Samuel Roberts

Biographies

Through her collection of black dolls, Dinah Johnson imparts a poetic message of pride and self-esteem. Walk across the bridge -- it's not so hard to do -- look straight ahead and don't turn back, your sisters are waiting for you. Dolls are playthings. Dolls are keepsakes. Dolls are magical. In elegant poems and striking photographs, dolls from around the United States and as far away as the Caribbean, East Africa, West Africa, and South America are brought together in celebration of the human spirit. Dinah Johnson's poems -- sometimes gentle and joyful, often bold and courageous -- embrace the strength and imagination of many cultures. Eboni and Kiani, Sonia and Retta, and over thirty other dolls in this collection march proudly to their own voices and rhythms. Children and doll lovers of all ages will find beauty and inspiration in this extraordinary picture book.

Sitting Pretty: A Celebration of Black Dolls

Arts, Music & Photography

Hair comes in all colors, textures, and styles. Whether it is worn long or short, in braids or cornrows, or left natural in an Afro, hair plays a big part in who we are and how we feel about ourselves.
In this inspiring book, Kelly Johnson's stunning photographs of girls wearing a range of hairstyles and the lyrical words of Dinah Johnson's poem celebrate African American hair in all its radiant variety.
Hair Dance! is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Hair Dance!

Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

Black is a look, a taste, a speed, an emotion. It's the surprising stripes on a zebra, the taste of dark chocolate, the scary, exciting feeling of going inside a tunnel, and a mother's voice as her daughter falls asleep. 
In this celebration of the African American spirit, Dinah Johnson and R. Gregory Christie paint a picture of "black" that is vivid, varied, and proud.

Black Magic

Hair comes in all colors, textures, and styles. Whether it is worn long or short, in braids or cornrows, or left natural in an Afro, hair plays a big part in who we are and how we feel about ourselves. In this inspiring book, Kelly Johnson's stunning photographs of girls wearing a range of hairstyles and the lyrical words of Dinah Johnson's poem celebrate African American hair in all its radiant variety. Hair Dance! is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Square Fish

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Johnson, Dinah. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Johnson, Dinah

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Johnson, Dinah. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Indigo Dreaming

H Is for Harlem

Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote

Quinnie Blue

Sunday Week

All Around Town: The Photographs of Richard Samuel Roberts

Sitting Pretty: A Celebration of Black Dolls

Hair Dance!

Black Magic

Hair Dance!